By Jeff Neumann
Former University Cougars junior Aidan Anderson is on the radar of AFL clubs after his recent invite to the 2014 NAB AFL Draft combine in November.
Anderson is known as a goal-kicking machine on the Darling Downs with tallies of 115 and 117 in season 2007 and 2008. Aidan was also a part of history when 2009 Under 14 Darling Downs side became the first ever team from the region to win an AFL Queensland championship.
2014 has been a big year for the now Swans District player, with Anderson making his league debut in the Western Australian Football League.
His debut for the Black and White came in Round 2 against East Perth, and even though it was a loss to Anderson and the Swans it was a big step forward in the young man’s career.
Swan District Player Development Manager Steve Thomson said it is hard to find a comparison for Aidan.
“Finding a comparison for him is a bit difficult as he’s really quite unique from the current batch of smalls we’ve got in the AFL,” said Thomson.
“His biggest strength is his smarts, he knows exactly where to position himself, where to lead, where to run, when to kick. He just knows.
“He’s quick without being a speedster and he’s very agile with his evasive skills being excellent along with his ability to change direction.”
Thomson likened Anderson to a current Collingwood star and said he has the ability to make an impact in the AFL.
“(Aidan is) like Jamie Elliott, he’s a far better contested mark than he should be at his height while he’s also very solid overhead.” he said.
“He’s got good core strength and strength in general and is very difficult to tackle. He’s able to win his own ball in dangerous spots while also being an excellent kick be it on the run or from a set shot.
“The best small forward in the crop and I’ll happily bet that he’ll kick 150 AFL goals.”
Anderson also spoke to darlingdowns.aflq-new.fspdev.com about the upcoming combine and his main focus at Swan Districts.
“It’s a very exciting to be heading to the National Combine, I just have to keep focused now and do my best,” he said.
“My main focus for the next few weeks is to finish the season off strong and hopefully our team can go deep into the finals.”
Aidan and the Swans currently sit third behind East Perth and Subiaco and look set to make an impact come finals.
Keep an eye out for Andersons name come the November NAB AFL Draft, with Kevin Sheehan sighting Anderson as Western Australian’s “Shining Light” in the Under 18 AFL National Championships.>> Aidan Anderson – 2014 Draft Prospect Highlights <<
PLAYER PROFILE
Aidan Anderson
DOB: 10/08/1996 Ht: 182cm Wt: 83kg
Career Games: 283 Career Goals: 489
Clubs: Swan Districts (2012-present), Upper Swan JFC (2010-2011), University Cougars (2006-2009)
Rep Honours: QLD u12 School-Boys, WA u15 School-Boys, U16/U18 Western Australia
