Kevin Sheehan’s 2024 Telstra AFL Draft top prospects: Tall defenders  Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - 9:55 AM

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has released profiles on the top tall defenders in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft pool.

The tall defenders group includes WA's All Australian centre half back Clancy Dennis who took part in the National Draft Combine.

WA State Combine participants Tom Bell, Joel Brown and Darcy Petersen have also been assessed by Sheehan.

Sheehan's player profiles are being released in positional groups each week ahead of the Draft.

All players profiled attended the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft Combine or 2024 Telstra AFL State Draft Combine in October.

The 2024 Telstra AFL Draft will be held on Wednesday, November 20 and Thursday, November 21. The 2024 Telstra AFL Rookie Draft will follow on Friday, November 22.

Keep updated with all the latest news ahead of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft at the AFL Draft Hub.

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE

Clancy Dennis
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Claremont
Date of Birth: 28/12/2006
Height: 195cm

A tall defender who is composed under pressure and consistently makes the correct decision on when to intercept mark or spoil. A super competitive type, he is rarely beaten one-on-one, which he demonstrated for Western Australia at the National Championships. Was among hist team’s best players against the Allies and Victoria Country and was rewarded with All Australian honours. Continued his impressive year at club level for Claremont, averaging 16 disposals and six marks at Colts level to win selection in the WAFL Colts Team of the Year. Did not test at the Draft Combine due to an ankle injury.

STATE DRAFT COMBINE
Tom Bell
State: Western Australia
State League Club: South Fremantle
Date of Birth: 06/10/2006
Height: 197cm

Tall defender capable of playing lockdown roles as well as having the ability to drop off his opponent to intercept mark. Had an interrupted year with an ankle injury keeping him out of National Championships contention but overcome the setback to play some consistent football at under-18s level for South Fremantle, averaging 15 disposals and five marks in 12 matches and was rewarded with selection in the WAFL Colts Team of the Year. His 27 disposals and 11 marks in Round 18 against East Fremantle was an outstanding performance. Was unable to test at the state Draft Combine in Perth due to injury.

Joel Brown
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Peel Thunder
Date of Birth: 31/10/2006
Height: 195cm

An emerging tall defender who graduated through the grades at Peel Thunder, where strong performances at colts and reserves levels led to him debuting at senior level and finishing the year playing eight State League games to catch the eye of AFL scouts. Despite not earning selection in Peel’s victorious Grand Final team, he played his role well in defence during the season after missing selection in Western Australia’s squad for the National Championships. Given he only turns 18 years at the end of October, his development as a player and prospect has been rapid. Was a strong performer at the state Draft Combine in Perth, with his 6:37 on the 2km time trial an indication of his endurance and work ethic.

Darcy Petersen

State: Western Australia
State League Club: Peel Thunder
Date of Birth: 12/01/2006
Height: 193cm

Close-checking tall defender who was impressive in negating dangerous forwards to feature among Western Australia’s best players in National Championships matches against the Allies and South Australia. Very good one-on-one and showed impressive closing speed and discipline in those Championships performances before injured in game three. An aggressive tackler who competes fiercely, he played Colts football for Peel Thunder as well as a couple of matches at reserves level. Presented well at the state Draft Combine in Perth, with his 3.06 seconds on the 20m sprint a sound performance.

Previously
Small and medium defenders
Small and medium forwards