In a draft overflowing with midfielders, Luke Trainor stands tall as the premier key defender on offer. The spring-heeled interceptor plays a free-wheeling solo act off halfback, trusting his judgement to chop off attacking forays and kickstart transition.
The North Melbourne fan has been so dominant in his top-age campaign he'll have the Arden Street recruiters contemplating his talents at what is currently pick one in the 2024 AFL Draft. He already boasts deep roots with the football club, being the grandson of champion 1000-goalkicker Doug Wade.
Trainor's confidence in taking the game on separates him from the chasing pack of talls. At 194cm, he isn't a true key position height, but plays taller with a 77cm vertical jump and elite closing speed that helps him to recover when out of position. Trainor isn't often out of position, though. Playing as a forward through the junior ranks - until a move into defence for the Sandringham Dragons - has helped his proactiveness and reading of the play.
It translates to ultra-aggressive positioning, zoning off his opponent and flying for his marks.
It's an apt comparison to Essendon best and fairest Jordan Ridley, who reads the play superbly and distributes with aplomb off halfback. But Trainor is a more eager offensive rebounder. He will link up multiple times in attacking chains and has a quick trigger on his penetrating right foot when he spots teammates upfield.
The Dragons star was named best afield for the AFL Academy against VFL side Coburg. It proved his bold style stacks up with the bigger bodies and cemented the interceptor's top-10 credentials. He's gone on to average three intercept marks per outing in the Coates Talent League and in the National Championships is ranked elite for a key defender in disposals (20.7), marks (5.7), tackles (2.7) and score involvements (3.3).
The knock on Trainor has been his limited work in shutting down opposition key forwards. For club and country he played a third tall intercepting role, but for Vic Metro against South Australia on the weekend he put those doubts to rest. Lining up on Crows father-son gun Tyler Welsh, Trainor held the physical forward goalless through three quarters. He sacrificed his intercepting game to rein in SA's most damaging forward.
The spring-heeled Luke Trainor stands tall amongst a bevy of midfielders at the top of this draft. Could the North Melbourne fan land at Arden St? He's a top-three chance thanks to a brilliant campaign to date.
— Jasper Chellappah (@Jasperc53) July 2, 2024
Trainor's #AFLDraft profile drops on @ESPNAusNZ tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/udTJkWqwhX
Star midfielders Murphy Reid and Levi Ashcroft deservedly stole the headlines, but Trainor vaulted his draft stocks as much as anyone. In a draft as even as 2024, his ability to nullify the influence of one of the best key forwards in the crop will be highly valued by recruiters. His stock is as high as it's been all year.
Richmond, West Coast, St Kilda and Adelaide are in the market for premium midfielders. Those sides make up four of the top five picks in November's draft right now. North Melbourne at pick one is a different story, having selected a midfielder in the top four of the past four drafts.
Their options are open in such an even pool dominated by on-ballers. The club could split its prized selection, lure an established key position player to Arden Street, or stay put. Victorian midfielders Josh Smillie and Finn O'Sullivan have long been coveted as the best players this year. But the gap between them and Trainor is closing. By the end of the season, North could be reading out Luke Trainor's name as not just the best positional fit, but as the best available prospect. It would be a match made in Shinboner heaven for the lifelong Roo.