The voice of AFL's 'Generation Next' believes Border product Campbell Chesser is capable of playing senior football immediately.
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AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has overseen thousands of youngsters and maintains the 18-year-old speed machine could be a first round pick when the draft starts on Wednesday night.
"Last Monday when we had the Victorian boys in front of the clubs, he was one of the most impressive on the track, he just looks the type to be playing almost straight away with his athleticism," he revealed.
He just looks the type to be playing almost straight away with his athleticism.
- Kevin Sheehan on Campbell Chesser
"He's a chance to go on the first night and will certainly be gone early on the second night."
The AFL Draft, which will be held at the league's Docklands stadium, starts from 7.10pm with what's expected to be around the first 20 selections and will finish with the remaining picks on Thursday night.
"It's his run (which is the standout), that athletic ability to break the lines and he's got some flair, he'll take the game on, he kicks it long, I've likened him to a Paul Seedsman, who played at Collingwood and went across to Adelaide, just that long striding, quick outside, whether it be the wing or from half-back," Sheehan praised.
Chesser boasts an athletics background, contesting a host of national championships and clocking a personal best of a sizzling 11.29 seconds over 100m.
However, he elected to focus on football after moving to Melbourne Grammar, where he finished school only last week.
"My favourite position is on the wing, that's where I've played most of my footy and a little bit across half-back as well the last couple of years," he explained.
"Short term I see my future on the wing, some half-back, that outside role, but hopefully push through to the midfield as I get older."
Like so many Victorian-based players, the past two seasons have been decimated by COVID, while Chesser also missed the bulk of last season at the Sandringham Dragons with a meniscus tear.
"I've played only five games over the past 24 months and one of those was only a practice match, it's been pretty crazy," he offered.
"Before I went for surgery on my right knee, they thought I was going to be out for 18 weeks, but when (highly respected knee surgeon Professor) Julian Feller went in there, the tear was a lot smaller than what the MRI showed."
The classy right-footer still missed 14 weeks.
An All-Australian from the national under 16 carnival, he's tried to combat the combined COVID-injury spell by training with AFL players.
"I've got a lot of mates in the system who've been drafted the last two years and they've given me an insight into AFL life," he suggested.
Meanwhile, Sheehan maintains Murray Bushranger Josh Rachele (Goulburn Valley) is a top 10 contender.
'We liken him to someone like (GWS captain) Toby Greene, dynamic small forward, something out of nothing type player, he's dynamite near goals, turning players inside out,' he said.
Fellow GV product Tom Brown is a likely top 25 selection.
"His dad is Paul Brown, who played at Geelong, but injuries stopped him," Sheehan reasoned.
"He's not unlike his father too, he's got some special tricks about him, he has the ability to break the lines with a super burst, stepping through traffic type player, that's what all clubs are looking for."
And Sheehan also has tremendous praise for three rising Border talls.
"Fletcher Hart (Albury) really looked a terrific AFL type, but then was injured, so you put him with (Corowa-Rutherglen's) Ryan Eyers and (Henty product) Toby Murray, they may well need time," he added.
"Cameron McLeod and Charlie Byrne (Albury), they might also get on a Supplemental list, if not picked up."
IN OTHER NEWS:
The AFL Draft is available via the AFL's website.
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