Draft watch: Star bloodlines in top pick

South Australian James Aish is a hot chance to go pick No. 1 in this year's draft. Picture: Simon Cross Source: HWT Image Library

DRAFT WATCH: THREE Victorians are chasing a classy South Australian onballer with gifted bloodlines to be crowned this year's No. 1 draft pick.

James Aish, the nephew of SANFL royalty Michael Aish, is leading the charge but his raw body and a shoulder reconstruction threatening the early part of this season could halt his momentum.

At 16 Aish became the youngest player in SANFL history to win a senior premiership last year, kicking 1.1 from 23 touches in Norwood's grand final victory.

An AFL recruiter said he was a "special talent'' blessed with similar traits to Hamish Hartlett and Bryce Gibbs.

"His last game of under-18s he got 34 touches in three quarters,'' Norwood coach Nathan Bassett said.

"He's a nice mover and he's faster than what he looks. He's got time with the ball and it's his terrific awareness and what he sees that sets him apart.''

Tom Boyd is best-placed to mow down Aish, with another AFL scout declaring if Gold Coast or Western Bulldogs collect the wooden spoon they would jag the power forward with the first pick.

Boyd, who at 16 dragged Vic Metro across the line against Vic Country in the under-18 carnival, booted 29 goals from his best five TAC Cup matches last year and is tipped to dominate for Eastern Ranges again this season.

He comes from the same club as Jon Patton, but Ranges talent manager Anthony Parkin said they were different spearheads.

"Patton is more of a brute who takes pack marks, where as Boydy is more of a lead-up forward who works off his opponent,'' he said.

"He's special, and he deserves that billing. He's worked extremely hard to turn himself from a boy into a man.''

Boyd trained with Collingwood in January and was first touted by some clubs as a special talent when he booted four goals for the Ranges from just 30 forward entries in an 80-point hammering.

Oakleigh's Jack Billings and Dandenong running machine Billy Hartung are also early chances for prized selections after breakout 2012s.

"Billings reads the play really well and has elite kicking skills. He's very good in the air and is just a genuine footballer,'' Chargers manager Mark Smart said of the left-footer.

The left-footer set up a crucial goal in last year's TAC Cup decider before the Chargers pinched the flag in golden-point time.

Hartung has stacked on 5kg this summer, plays in the same mould of Stingrays predecessors Lachie Whitfield and Tom Scully and has no school commitments this year, allowing him to focus on footy.

Ben Lennon and Josh Kelly are the other standout Victorians, while Nick Robertson is the pick of the Western Australia talent.

FOUR EARLY TEENAGE STARS TO WATCH

JAMES AISH (183cm, Norwood SANFL)

POSITION: Classy outside midfielder
CASE FOR: Outstanding leader, elite vision and already impressing at senior level. Under-18 All-Australian last year.
EARLY KNOCKS: On the comeback trail from a shoulder reconstruction, needs to physically mature and tidy up his kicking.

TOM BOYD (199cm, 102kg, Eastern Ranges)

POSITION: Full-forward
CASE FOR: Can kick bags of goals, strong hands, proven ability to swing matches. Lack of key forwards in this draft adds to the attraction.
EARLY KNOCKS: Needs to work on mobility and ability to consistently impose on contests

Tom Boyd photo: Eastern Ranges spearhead Tom Boyd will be the No. 1 pick if Gold Coast or Western Bulldogs finish last, an AFL recruiter predicts. Source: HWT Image Library

JACK BILLINGS (183cm, 78, Oakleigh Chargers)

POSITION: Half-forward
CASE FOR: Great game sense, sharp left foot and uncanny goal sense. Under-18 All-Australian last year.
EARLY KNOCKS: Needs to work on his tank and add midfield capabilities to his repertoire.

Jack Billings of Oakleigh celebrates a goal during the TAC Cup Under 18s Grand Final between Gippsland Power and Oakleigh Chargers played at Etihad Stadium on September 23, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Blair Hamish Source: HWT Image Library

BILLY HARTUNG (176cm, 71kg, Dandenong Stingrays)

POSITION: Wing
CASE FOR: Running machine with high kicking efficiency. Once kicked 20.0 in a junior match.
EARLY KNOCKS: Still needs to add size and improve his inside work.

Billy Hartung photo: Dandenong Stingrays star Billy Hartung is a chance to be the No. 1 draft pick. Source: HWT Image Library

- Sam Landsberger

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