Since his Round 1 performance against Port Adelaide, fans AFL wide have been scratching their heads at how Tom Powell fell to pick 13 in the 2020 NAB AFL Draft.

The young midfielder impressed with 19 disposals and a goal on debut and has only gone from strength to strength, averaging over 17 touches across ten games.

A prolific ball-winner and junior at SANFL level, Powell’s ability to find and effectively distribute the football showcases maturity beyond his years, an ability that could hold North’s midfield in good stead for years to come.

North’s head of player personnel Scott Clayton says North was surprised but pleased to see the South Australian prospect fall to the club’s second selection in the draft.

“We were very keen to get him (Powell) and you often move your draft order a little bit to where you can pick players … but we had him well inside single digits, he was in the first few,” Clayton told the Road to the Draft podcast.

“I’m pretty sure he was captain in the South Australian under 12’s and then concentrated on school somewhat … we were very confident he’s a great athlete and it was just he’d missed a year or so with injury.

“His future development potential [looks] extraordinary … from Round 1 he just dominated the SANFL … we’d never seen numbers like it really in regards to possessions and contested possessions.

“He had one hell of a year and was an absolute standout.

North’s other first round draft pick was Will Phillips, who despite a slightly slower start to his AFL career than Powell, is impressing those within the walls at Arden Street.

Collecting 33 disposals and laying 8 tackles in last week’s VFL victory over Essendon, Phillips is showing all the signs of forging a long and successful career at AFL level

Clayton says the personality and drive Phillips possesses puts him in a strong position for leadership opportunities later in his career, and the club is taking a wide-lens view of his overall development.

“His (Phillips’) leadership is extraordinary, the potential for future leadership roles is very high. He led Victoria in most age groups,” he said.

“We’re long term here, no doubt he’s going to have a great AFL career … he’s coming along quite nicely, there’s no rush.

“We can’t pretend the year off hasn’t had an effect. It’s nobody’s fault but that’s just how it is.

“We’re very pleased with where he’s at, he’s very popular, and more than that he’s respected because he’s a hard worker and a very high-quality young man.”