With the NAB AFL Draft fast approaching, we sat down with GIANTS Academy Head Coach Jason Saddington to see what he thinks of the nine academy products who have nominated for the draft.
Harrison Macreadie (Defender)
From: Henty/ GIANTS Academy/ NSW-ACT
Height: 196cm
Weight: 89kg
D.O.B: 11/4/1998
NEAFL Games: 11
Macreadie showed some impressive signs last year as a bottom-ager with his run and drive through half-back for New South Wales-ACT. He can run well with the ball and although at key position size, Macreadie sometimes looks most at home on a wing or half-back flank. That's unlikely to be his position at the next level, however, as some more time in the gym should see him build a bigger frame to hold down some taller marking forwards. Macreadie played 11 games for the WSU GIANTS in the NEAFL, including their four-point Grand Final win over the Swans’ Reserves.
Saddington: “Harry is from Henty in country New South Wales and relocated to Sydney this year to be closer to our Academy program. He had an up and down season but is an incredible athlete.
Standing at 196cm he’s a smooth mover and the best thing about Harry is that he’s skilful. He also reads the game quite well and is composed under pressure.
He’s played in the backline but he’s got the ability to go into the midfield and forward.”
Plays Like: “Harry is similar to our younger players like Harry Himmelberg and Jeremy Finlayson. He’s like Himmelberg in that he’s got great composure with the footy in tight spaces and Finnlayson with his size and skill execution.”
Ryan Garthwaite (Defender)
From: Murray Bushrangers/ Corowa-Rutherglen
Height: 192cm
Weight: 84kg
D.O.B: 30/6/98
NEAFL Games: 2
Tall defender who excels in one-on-one contests and is strong overhead. A reliable type who can play on a tall or small forwards and provide good rebound from defence. Overcame a number of injuries to show his promise with the Allies this year. Garthwaite played two games for the WSU GIANTS in the NEAFL in 2016, acquitting himself well in the games against Swans reserves and Gold Coast reserves.
Saddington: “An incredible competitor, Garthwaite plays as a key back and rarely gets beaten one-on-one. He has really good closing speed so quite often with Ryan you’ll think he has been beaten by his opponent, but he manages to get an arm in and effect a spoil. He’s an extremely coachable kid and will put into practice anything he has been told. He’s an interesting kick aesthetically but he’s quite efficient with the ball.”
Plays Like: “He’s similar to Phil Davis, your rock-solid defender who might not win 20 disposals per game but doesn’t get beaten one-on-one.”
Lachlan Tiziani (Forward)
From: Broken Hill/ Murray Bushrangers / GIANTS Academy
Weight: 189cm
Weight: 80kg
D.O.B: 13/3/1997
Originally from Broken Hill, the 189cm 19-year-old Tiziani is a member of the GIANTS Academy and played four NEAFL games for the GIANTS in 2016, following four in 2015.
A gifted and athletic forward, Tiziani possesses an incredible vertical leap having topped the 2015 NAB AFL Draft combine rankings with a leap of 97cm
Saddington: “He played TAC Cup this year as a 19-year-old after missing out in last year’s draft. Lachlan played in a couple of NEAFL games earlier this year and showed that he is a very explosive player. He’s got an incredible jump and can do some special things; he has a little bit of x-factor. He has struggled a little with consistency but if he’s able to get that right and have an impact from start to finish he’s got the ability to be a very good player.”
Plays Like: “Lachlan’s like a Stevie Johnson, he’s got that x-factor. He pops up and does some brilliant things.”
