WHICH player from the 2022 draft class has surprised the most so far in 2023?<\/p>\n
That was the question asked of AFL Media draft guru Cal Twomey who watches the budding youngsters closer than anyone else each and every year.<\/p>\n
Twomey admits no particular player has overly surprised him, but he has been taken by the ability of North Melbourne\u2019s Harry Sheezel to flourish in an unfamiliar position.<\/p>\n
The number three draft pick has played primarily off half-back so far this year and has been impressive, averaging more than 27 disposals – which ranks 14th in the AFL, as well as 4.9 rebound 50s per game.<\/p>\n
Sheezel starred at junior level as a medium forward with a wicked goal sense who had the occasional burst through the middle, but is relishing a different role in the AFL for the Kangaroos.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved Harry Sheezel, had him ranked at three or four all throughout last year,\u201d Twomey said on SEN Breakfast when asked which 2022 draftee has surprised him the most.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never saw him being a half-back and to be honest I don\u2019t think he did either. I spoke to him a little bit earlier in the season and he said I never played there, maybe a half in one game.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo him being able to do what he\u2019s done there has been sensational.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure we\u2019ll see him as a goal kicker soon enough, but he\u2019s been terrific.\u201d<\/p>\n
Already we have seen a number of last year\u2019s draft crop do well at AFL level this season including Brisbane\u2019s Will Ashcroft, Hawthorn\u2019s Cam Mackenzie, West Coast\u2019s Reuben Ginbey, St Kilda\u2019s Mattaes Phillipou, Carlton\u2019s Ollie Hollands and Adelaide\u2019s Max Michalanney, among others.<\/p>\n
But there is one player who is only three full senior games into his career, having been involved as a sub thrice, who is set to capture the imagination.<\/p>\n
Gold Coast\u2019s Bailey Humphrey picked up 20 disposals and kicked a goal in his best AFL outing to date against West Coast and earned a Rising Star nomination.<\/p>\n
It could be a sign of things to come said Twomey.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Bailey Humphrey is coming. I think he\u2019s going to be the player that is really going to take the eye,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m rapt out how the second half of his last season unfolded. We sit here today on 19 May and Bailey Humphrey this time last year was injured, he was nursing a knee injury and didn\u2019t play in the mid-year championships with Vic Country and still got picked at six.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think last year\u2019s draft is going to shape up pretty well.\u201d<\/p>\n
David King is also a massive fan of the former Gippsland Power young gun, so much so that he feels he could end up being the best of the 2022 draft class.<\/p>\n
\u201cI reckon Bailey Humphrey could be the best of the lot of them,\u201d King said. \u201cIn four years\u2019 time, we\u2019ll look back and say, \u2018Wow, he\u2019s like Christian Petracca this guy\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n