Aaron Cornelius (Tasmania) - Draft Profile

Height: 191.9cm
Weight: 83.7kg
Role: Inside marking KPP/3rd tall forward
Preferred Foot: Right
Potential: 6.5-8/10

Strengths

> Excellent pair of hands overhead and reads the flight very well– one of the best marks in this draft
> Surprisngly decent vertical leap
> Clever, subtle bodywork
> Long RF kick – capable of kicking 50m+
> Has VFL experience under his belt from 2008
> Good spoiler when playing in defence (unlikely to play defence at AFL because of lack of strength, bodysize and athleticism)

Weaknesses

> Hit and miss set shot radar
> Lacks intensity, strength and natural power about his game – doesn’t look to dominate games
> Lacks mobility and versatility
> Not routinely clean with his handballing and ball handling below the knees
> Lacks all forms of athleticism (apart from vertical leap) – poor pace, agility and engine

Other

> Outstanding U16s form and 2007 U18 form (won an AA jumper) – however struggled somewhat with the attention at the 2008 U18 championships

Overall

More was expected of Cornelius in 2008 after impressing a great deal in 2006 U16s and 2007 U18s, however he didn’t take his game to the next level and stamp his name down as a certain first rounder like most expected. He should still get drafted, but unlikely as high as was expected in the pre-season. At best I see him becoming a Bradshaw like very handy 2nd/3rd tall forward that performs well with lesser attention, at worst a fringe player that is NQR for AFL long term due to lack athleticism, intensity, mobility and versatility.

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