Listed as a midfielder heading into the draft, Josh Goater surged into first-round consideration following a handful of stellar performances in the half-back line at NAB League level.

Though he slid to pick 22, the boyhood North fan possesses natural athletic power lending itself well to both intercept defending and contested midfield work.

Finishing first in the vertical jump (80cm) and running vertical jump (96cm) and sixth in the 20m sprint (2.92 seconds) in pre-season combine testing, Goater's attributes include his explosiveness to break through traffic and take high-flying marks.

He has the statistics to back up his ability in both positions, averaging 21.6 disposals and 5.2 clearances while playing midfield, and 30.5 disposals, 8.5 intercept possessions and 4 intercept marks while playing defence in the NAB League.

With the likes of young midfielders Will Phillips, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Tom Powell and Jy Simpkin already known quantities in the middle of the ground, Goater’s early opportunities at AFL level could come in the back half of the ground, where his natural midfield ability could assist the Kangaroos’ attack out of defence.

While his endurance and field-kicking were identified as areas of weakness heading into the draft, a full pre-season at AFL level should place him in prime position to fight for an AFL spot.