Just read an interesting article on the Hun website about North Ballarat mature age recruit-to-be Dean Towers.

North Ballarat gun Dean Towers the hottest AFL prospect from the VFL

I'd be terribly surprised if he wasn't around for our 2nd round pick (pick 20-something), and have no doubt looking at his build/style of play, that Neeld would like to see him in red and blue next year.

The other amzing stat is the list of players who have won the Rising Star award in recent years, Saad, Barlow, Nahas, Hibberd, and Shave Valenti (ok, 4 out of 5 aint bad, although Shane wasn't that bad, was he?).

I wonder if he is on our radar...

surely he is.. sounds like a catch

Dean Towers (Nth Ballarat), Luke Andrews (Box Hill) and Leigh Osborne (Frankston) must ALL be on the radar from the VFL. They are all good running types.

In terms of midfield options, surely Ben Ross, Werribee, 22yo, JJ Liston winner for 2012 is a possibility. He was delisted by Kangas at end of 2011, due to Wells, Swallow, Bastinac, Ziebell, Cunnington and Adams being ahead of him. Is a standout in the VFL and excelled in the 2012 VFL v Tassie game. Ready to step up. Maybe a pick 50+ option for us.

This is the type of player we will take from Round 3 in the draft onwards IMO, especially if FA is a bust.

This is the type of player we will take from Round 3 in the draft onwards IMO, especially if FA is a bust.

We picked up Sellar with a Round 3 pick didn't we?

I'd imagine an untapped, early 20's midfielder/half back flanker would be at least equal to if not higher than Sellar.

I keep forgetting about Viney in this draft (how could I?!). I still think/hope that we will get him with our 2nd round pick, which in that case, will keep everything crossed that Towers is still available for our 3rd round pick. It will all depend on how he (Towers) goes at the draft combine.

If these quality VFL kids have ever nominated for the draft before then surely we would be trying to pull of some sort of Ahmed Saad type trade with GWS?

I thought it was someone's address at first

What are his vitals ? anyone

cheers

I thought it was someone's address at first

What are his vitals ? anyone

cheers

Very quick wingman with really good skills.

I reckon we'll be targeting either Towers, Ross or Paul Marschall from with SANFL (both similar players) with our 4th round pick which is likely to be in the mid 60's.

Very quick wingman with really good skills.

I reckon we'll be targeting either Towers, Ross or Paul Marschall from with SANFL (both similar players) with our 4th round pick which is likely to be in the mid 60's.

How many players go to the draft combine? From memory it's around 40 or so. I appreciate that that doesn't mean they automatically fill the Top 40 or so spots, but I'd be thinking that Towers would go well before the 4th round, given the fact that he was invited to go to the combine, and especially if he can produce some reasonable results.

If he's there for our 3rd round pick, I'd be taking him (that's hoping we get Viney with our 2nd rounder). Even if we use pick 3 on JV, the fact we are getting 3 x 1st round draft picks joining us, I'd take the punt with our 2nd rounder.

How many players go to the draft combine? From memory it's around 40 or so. I appreciate that that doesn't mean they automatically fill the Top 40 or so spots, but I'd be thinking that Towers would go well before the 4th round, given the fact that he was invited to go to the combine, and especially if he can produce some reasonable results.

If he's there for our 3rd round pick, I'd be taking him (that's hoping we get Viney with our 2nd rounder). Even if we use pick 3 on JV, the fact we are getting 3 x 1st round draft picks joining us, I'd take the punt with our 2nd rounder.

That is true, but not everyone goes to the draft combine. Several players don't go each year for different reasons.

I've done mock draft at home in which I actually had Towers going late 3rd round. Either way I think he'll be there abouts when our 4th round pick comes around and fingers crossed he's still there. If not there are other players of similar ability I reckon we could take like Marschall and Ross.

I reckon our 3rd round pick may get caught up in a packaged trade with Stef Martin to Collingwood, but I could be wrong.

Been a while since I’ve posted on here boys.

Watched him earlier in the year and he is certainly worth a look. Plays a bit like the Swans running backs (Malceski, Mattner & Shaw), he could work.

My only concern – from the past VFL rising star winners only Shane Valenti has not worked at AFL level, I put this down to player development & club culture. Lets hope our player development and culture (something that is being preached) has improved since Valenti was drafted, if it has we could score by using a late pick on Dean.

Being a Ballarat bloke myself I am hoping we pick him up, would look very nice along the HB line/ Wing!

Being a Ballarat bloke myself I am hoping we pick him up, would look very nice along the HB line/ Wing!

Isn't Nico a Ballarat boy?

Isn't Nico a Ballarat boy?

Correct, So is Chip Frawley.

We'd have the twin Towers up forward- quite an enticing proposition!

Matt Jones from Box Hill is being looked at by Melbourne.

Good skills, run & carry kind of player.

What are his vitals ?

189cm's and 83 kgs

His asset is line breaking pace with "run and carry".

Player comparison Isaac Smith.

Knightmare has him going at 28 in his mock draft and in the range of 15-45.

bumpady bump bump

Haven't heard much about him lately, all I know is I want him at the dee's next year as well - any chance to go at 20 instead of trading for Dawes? If we get Pedersen, not sure we need Dawes as well. Thoughts?

Dean Towers

Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium midfielder who was a member of the VFL State squad this year . Is a player who can break the lines with his speed and agility in traffic and is strong overhead . Mature aged player having a consistent year in VFL.”

bumpady bump bump

Haven't heard much about him lately, all I know is I want him at the dee's next year as well - any chance to go at 20 instead of trading for Dawes? If we get Pedersen, not sure we need Dawes as well. Thoughts?

Couldn't agree more. No room for both.

Correct, So is Chip Frawley.

Tom Mcdonald,

Dom Barry too, All St Pats boys

Can see this guy being on Neelds radar, being a mature age recruit and all

Memo to MFC

Surely Dean Towers now at pick 20. He showed he is too good for VFL. Played and beat many AFL listed players in VFL. At 22yo, mature, runs and carries. Lock it in.

Mark Neeld must have his mobile number on speed dial.

I just think it's a pity he isn't 205cm. But maybe his name could become a contradiction, like calling a redhead "Bluey", or a tall person "Shorty".