PLAYER BIO
Former Club: Western Jets
Age: 18
Height: 186cm
Weight: 81kg
Position: Forward
For a player considered a likely top-20 draft pick, Daniel Venables might be one of the hardest to place in this year's NAB AFL Draft.
Venables is a dynamic playmaker capable of turning a game in an instant, as he displayed when he kicked the winning goal to lead Vic Metro to a come-from-behind two-point win over Vic Country in the Under-18 NAB AFL National Championships in June.
The midfielder/forward can burst away from opponents with searing speed or, if he decides to do so, crash through them by utilising his size and power.
An up and down season, due to injury and inconsistent form, makes Venables one of the more interesting players to track on draft night.
Venables, who turns 18 in November, has explosive speed and power in the mould of Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield and Sydney Swans speedster Gary Rohan.
If he goes to ground, Venables is quick to spring to his feet, much in the same way Dangerfield is able to do, and get back involved in the contest. A little like Dangerfield in his youth, Venables still needs to work on his game sense to get more involved on a consistent basis.
Based on his skill set and natural talent, Venables could easily be a top-10 draft pick. But the foot injury and patchy form may see him drop down the order to a selection in the teens.
Venables is a driven character prepared to give his all for his team. He has a knack for winning the ball when he has no right to do so and he is clever around goal. If he finds consistency within his game, he could be anything.
