Charlie Barnett remains on AFL radar

He was a member of the Victoria Country Under 18 National Championships team in two rounds last season, playing in wins against South Australia and the Allies.

Barnett and another Kyabram prospect, Mitch Dodos, are among the players who will be allowed to appear as 19-year-olds with the Pioneers this season.

Nick Jephson is at the other end of the football spectrum, named as a bottom-age player on the Pioneers’ list.

Tyler Norman is the other Kyabam footballer to be named on the Pioneers’ playing roster, which was released last week, named in its Under 16 squad.

Pioneers coach Danny O’Bree said since last year’s draft Port Adelaide, North Melbourne and Essendon had all indicated they would be watching Barnett closely this season.

North Melbourne has the inside running with the athletic utility, who has played in the club’s match simulation and VFL practice matches.

“Charlie has had a fair bit of interest, Port Adelaide was quite interested in him and they’ve been on the phone pretty much since the draft was done,” O’Bree said.

“He has signed with North Melbourne’s VFL team and Essendon also wanted to sign him.”

The Pioneers’ coach said Barnett’s early season form could play a role in him having a shot to be picked up in the mid-season draft in June.

Barnett won the Xavier College best and fairest award last season, but had to watch on as four of his 2022 schoolmates won places on AFL lists.

Twins Alwyn Davey Jnr and Jayden Davey went to Essendon, Jack O’Sullivan was signed to Hawthorn and Ollie Sestan went to Melbourne.

Last season’s Pioneers captain, Harvey Gallagher, forged a path on to the Western Bulldogs’ list after playing the 2022 season as an over-age player.

O’Bree said being able to play in the NAB League as an over age player had paved the way for Gallagher to be drafted. He was taken at number 39 in the draft.

O’Bree said he and North Melbourne’s VFL coach, Tom Lynch, were in constant contact about Barnett and would maintain an open line of communication during the season.

“I’ve had discussions with Tom Lynch about where they will play him,” O’Bree said.

“I’ve also discussed with recruiters about what they want to see from Charlie. That may play a role as to where he plays with us.”

North Melbourne has been playing Barnett on a wing during the pre-season, but he kicked three goals and had 20-plus possessions in his one senior appearance with Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley league last season.

Due to school football commitments he played only eight games with the Pioneers last season, including both finals appearances.

The Pioneers’ season starts on Sunday, March 19 — against Murray Bushrangers — and Barnett is a likely starter, as North Melbourne’s VFL season does not start until Sunday, March 25 (against Port Melbourne at Arden St).

In the pre-season Barnett has been training once a week with the Pioneers.

• Harley Reid remains the “hottest property’’ in the Coates Talent League for 2023, his Bendigo Pioneers coach Danny O’Bree suggesting the All Australian had the right attitude to cope with all the attention.

“All the talk will be a challenge for him, but he is a great kid. He has so many elements of his game that he need to improve and he understands that the external rubbish means nothing,” O’Bree said.

Conversations about the Tongala 17-year-old have been similar to the attention that surrounded recent father-son high draft picks Will Ashcroft and Nick Daicos.

O’Bree said 2023 was about Reid “taking care of business and minimising his distractions”.

Talkback radio is already garnering callers suggesting their club should ensure they finish on the bottom of the ladder to ensure they have Reid’s services in 2024.

• Mitch Dodos has won high praise for his pre-season work with the Bendigo Pioneers, named as of the six over-age players who will appear with the team this year.

“I have a lot of time for him, even though he is raw. He is a great kick and wonderful athlete,’’ O’Bree said.

“He would have played last year, but I am glad we waited after he pulled up sore the week we were deciding whether to play him or not.”

Dodos, who is 196cm, was part of the Pioneers’ six-quarter practice match against the Bushrangers on the weekend.

O’Bree’s praise of the teenager, who was in Kyabam’s best players in the Goulburn Valley league’s reserve grade grand final defeat last season, suggests he is a likely round one starter with the team.

Super talented 16-year-old Nick Jephson has also caught the attention of O’Bree, who said it was likely the 190cm bottom-age player would play in both defence and midfield.

“We are looking forward to seeing what he can do down back and because of his running ability we may even get him up into the midfield,” O’Bree said.