Daniel Howe, pictured playing for Hawthorn this season, is sure to find an AFL home for 2023 in the upcoming AFL draft. Image AAP Image.
Recently delisted Brisbane VFL player Ely Smith will play for SANFL club South Adelaide in 2023 and Hawthorn-delisted 96 AFL gamer Daniel Howe is on the lookout for a new home.
Ely Smith will play with South Adelaide in 2023.
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Former Yarrawonga junior Smith was drafted to Brisbane with the 21st selection of the 2018 National Draft and was named emergency on several occasions but failed to make his AFL debut after spending four years at the elite level.
The 22-year-old was a key piece in his club's strong VFL campaign this year, averaging 20 disposals. He is looking forward to playing a full season of football and forming great relationships with team-mates.
"I think I can add a bigger body who can win clearances and provide the ball to the outside players,” Smith said.
"Getting through the whole year injury free, playing the best footy I possibly can and getting some success with the team are my key goals for the year.
"One of the things I noticed was how welcoming everyone at the club was including coaching staff, management staff and players. It just felt right."
South Adelaide recorded a sixth-place finish in 2022, managing nine wins and nine losses for the season.
In what could be described as a surprise decision by Hawthorn Football Club, Daniel Howe has been delisted.
The 27-year-old versatile player has played 96 games with the Hawks, having made his debut in round nine, 2015. It would seem likely he will play his 100th game with another club in 2023.
In other news, Yarrawonga grand-final player Caleb Mitchell could find himself at an AFL club in this year’s draft, to be held on November 28 and 29.
Young talent Caleb Mitchell could find an AFL home in this month’s draft.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Described as a powerfully built, hard-running wingman who sweeps back and drives forward on the outside, Mitchell carried on the momentum of a strong preseason to cement his spot on the wing this season, turning out 10 times for the Murray Bushrangers.
His best outing this year was a 31-disposal, two-goal effort against minor premier, Gippsland Power, and he proved relatively consistent otherwise.
The 18-year-old impressed enough to earn a call-up to the Vic Country squad, playing all four National Championship games as a reliable runner on the outside. Back home, he managed a handful of games with Yarrawonga, including a grand final loss to Wangaratta where he booted a goal.
Mitchell is a unique type of wingman in the sense that he is built like an inside midfielder, but predominantly plies his trade on the outer.
According to Rookie Me website the wing is certainly a role many clubs are looking to find specialists in, and Mitchell is a prospect who could prove a value candidate late in the draft.
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