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After his 2022 and 2023 seasons were hampered by growing pains \u2013 he missed the Under 16 national champs two years ago \u2013 Dean\u2019s 17th year barely got going, suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in his Coates Talent League debut match against the Giants.<\/p>\n
It means, from an AFL club and scouting perspective, it was difficult to rate where Dean truly sat in the 2025 draft pool.<\/p>\n
So, he got rock-hard fit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI kind of flicked the switch, especially when I broke my shoulder last year. About three months after, it was like: \u2018I\u2019ve still got time and ways to change,\u2019\u201d he told foxfooty.com.au.<\/p>\n
Harry Dean during the Telstra AFL Draft Combine Headshots Session. Picture: Graham Denholm\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cI put in a lot of rehab, strength, gym, endurance \u2026 The aim was to get a bit fitter and faster while I had my shoulder injury and couldn\u2019t do any contact. I did a lot of running and sprinting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI put on a bit of muscle. I put on about four kilos, which I was happy with \u2013 legs and arms. Still building on that a fair bit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just thought I needed to get in a pretty good pre-season and start the season off well.\u201d<\/p>\n
This shift in attitude sparked more crucial changes regarding Dean\u2019s recovery, eating and sleep habits.<\/p>\n
He made the most of the sauna and ice bath at his local club, Lavington.<\/p>\n
He\u2019d \u201calways try and train at Murray Bushrangers\u201d to bank as many sessions as possible \u2013 \u201ceven if I was a bit sore because \u2026 the more sessions you get in, the better for me\u201d.<\/p>\n
Dean and his mum also invested in recovery boots. On the long drives to and from his home, as well as after training and on days off, Dean would wear them. He\u2019d also go for a walk or do some mobility in the pool to \u201cget the legs ticking and blood flowing\u201d.<\/p>\n
And then there was his diet.<\/p>\n
\u201cHeaps changed. Me and mum got a program from Carlton, which was pretty helpful, and some meal plans,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Harry Dean of the Bushrangers. Picture: Lachie Chugg\/AFL PhotosSource: AFL Photos<\/p>\n
\u201cWe broke those down into some easier things to make, so I\u2019ve been pretty consistent with that, eating healthier food to benefit and fuel me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dean\u2019s favourite dish? A sweet potato burrito bowl.<\/p>\n
\u201cI almost had it for dinner for three weeks in a row, it was that good!\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n
After his first practice game with the Bushrangers earlier this year, Dean spoke with his coaches and parents. The advice was to \u201cplay as many games as you can, enjoy yourself and things will roll over and happen\u201d.<\/p>\n
And haven\u2019t things rolled and happened.<\/p>\n
\u2018THIS IS THE REAL DEAL\u2019<\/p>\n
A fitter and faster Dean produced a full, injury-free season that saw him rise up draft boards with an almighty surge. He impressed recruiters all season with his power, toughness, competitiveness and intercept ability.<\/p>\n
Dean averaged 17.4 disposals and seven marks for the Murray Bushrangers to win Coates Talent League team of the year honours.<\/p>\n
But it was at the national carnival representing Vic Country where Dean truly thrived.<\/p>\n
Dean, initially, was hoping to \u201cplay a game or two\u201d for his state. He ended up playing all four and earning selection at full-back in the Under 18 All-Australian side after averaging 15.3 disposals and a competition-high 3.5 intercept marks, while he went at 89 per cent efficiency by foot.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had trials for Vic Country in Under 16s and U17s but didn\u2019t really get a shot at it because of the injuries. This year, I was pretty honoured to be able to wear the Big V,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the first day at presentation, getting my guernsey and being named vice-captain – I was pretty surprised about that \u2026 The first game I was a bit nervous, first time playing for Vic Country I was thinking: \u2018This is the real deal.\u2019 But I warmed into the game and went from there and just felt comfortable.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust the standard of footy \u2026 \u2018Bushies\u2019 and Coates League is great but playing with and against all the best kids was great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harry Dean of Victoria Country. Picture: Rob Lawson\/AFL PhotosSource: AFL Photos<\/p>\n
Showing off his versatility, Dean played on a variety of forwards, including mobile duo Charlie Banfield (190cm) and Mitch Marsh (191cm), the powerful Max King (191cm) and tall Vic Metro duo Zac McCarthy (199cm) and Cooper Duff-Tytler (200cm).<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was mixed around a fair bit this year, but I like the challenge. It helps me and it helps recruiters see I can play on different players,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Dean pulled off a stunning 22-disposal, 11-intercept, eight-mark display in the final game of the carnival against Vic Metro, solidifying his status as a top-10 prospect.<\/p>\n
Post-game, one scout told foxfooty.com.au they could see Dean playing for Carlton in Round 1 next year. He looked like a man against boys, playing with a presence and confidence that personified his rise. <\/p>\n
\u201cLeading up to all the Vic Country games, I try to tell myself to get a hot start \u2013 and then that just leads throughout the whole day,\u201d Dean said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeading up to that game (against Metro), we\u2019d gotten better and better as a team and as a unit. This was Queensland versus NSW State of Origin style \u2026 so I had a bit more ticker to myself. I was trying to have a really good game and show my skill, because it was the last game as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI came out and felt good most of the day, especially the first quarter. I was really happy with that game, one of my best games of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n
HOW DEAN BID COULD WORK<\/p>\n
A lack of key defensive depth in this year\u2019s pool, combined with Dean\u2019s outstanding draft season, has made him an even hotter commodity for clubs.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s why West Coast is considering placing a bid on Dean with Pick 2, for he would truly fit an Eagles list need.<\/p>\n
Carlton, as it stands, holds Picks 9 and 11, which is worth 2560, according to the AFL\u2019s new Draft Value Index (DVI). An Eagles bid on Dean at Pick 2 \u2013 with a 10 per cent discount \u2013 would require the Blues to cough up 2233 points. If they matched, Carlton would officially welcome Dean to the club, but Picks 9 and 11 would essentially turn into a selection in the 30s. And that wouldn\u2019t help their case to match a later bid on NGA prospect Jack Ison.<\/p>\n
AFL confirms rule tweaks to 2026 season | 00:44<\/p>\n
It\u2019s why the Blues would prefer if Richmond, for instance, bid on Dean at Pick 5 or 6 following bids on the likes of Zeke Uwland, Dylan Patterson and\/or Daniel Annable. If it came at Pick 6, the Blues would only have to produce 1493 points to match, meaning Picks 9 and 11 would instead become one selection in the teens (around Pick 13).<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t worry, Carlton fans, the Blues will match any Dean bid. But it just means Carlton\u2019s list representatives will be best friends with their calculators over the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
Dean is tied to the Blues via the father-son rule as his dad, Peter Dean, played 248 games for Carlton, including the 1987 and 1995 premierships.<\/p>\n
Dean over recent years has spent ample time at Ikon Park \u2013 especially last year while sidelined with a shoulder injury \u2013 through the club\u2019s father-son academy, which was initially named in honour of Peter Dean upon its launch back in 2015.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe obviously had a pretty great career and made the father-son academy (at Carlton), so I was pretty lucky,\u201d Harry said of his dad.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m pretty grateful to be in that academy with the resources and people I can tap into. It\u2019s been a huge influence for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEspecially this year, I\u2019ve abused it a heap! Obviously with school and travelling, it was a bit hard to get down. But in the holidays, I was able to get down and do a few pre-season sessions with them and get a feel for what my pre-season might look like and the standard and the recovery after and the gym work.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn-season, I spent a week with them. They had a Sunday game backing up to a Friday game, so I saw how they prepared and got treated. An AFL game on a five-day break had taken a bit out of them, so it was just unreal to see.<\/p>\n
Harry Dean of Victoria Country. Picture: Paul Kane\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cIt didn\u2019t feel right being in the system as well. Every time I go in there I just think: \u2018This is the real deal, these blokes play on the TV \u2013 and I support them.\u2019 Hopefully I can play with them soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
CARLTON \u2018WOULD BE PRETTY SPECIAL\u2019<\/p>\n
Dean, diplomatically, said he\u2019d \u201cplay for anyone\u201d and just be happy \u201cto be in the system anywhere\u201d.<\/p>\n
But he added: \u201cTo wear the navy blue would be pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dean grew up idolising Carlton defender Jacob Weitering, who was taken at Pick 1 a decade ago.<\/p>\n
Come Round 1 next season, there\u2019s a good chance Dean walks into the Blues\u2019 defensive 50 next to Weitering.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the game against Vic Metro, I thought a bit that I could step up to the next level (AFL) and overall through the nationals. Probably playing locally too playing senior men\u2019s footy, it\u2019s got me a bit more comfortable and used to the bigger bodies,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously it\u2019s going to be a grind, nothing\u2019s ever easy, but I\u2019m willing to take on the challenge and I love a bit of a challenge. It\u2019s going to be hard to work, but I\u2019m ready.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s not often an AFL draft hopeful enhances their prospects and reputation while sidelined with a nasty injury.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":251677,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,689,55,639,3423,33342,60450,107837,3416,3429,149179,127778,109667,3451,149184,120002,2526,2105,2536,120007,149175,15664,12188,91805,120009,149188,149177,3502,149187,647,3453,3430,677,149183,3473,149181,149173,149182,149178,70479,149174,149176,16205,147522,149189,18658,143922,3495,85,149190,149185,149180,149186,3485,660,3482,3488],"class_list":["post-251676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australia-and-new-zealand","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-ben-waterworth","tag-blues-academy","tag-boundary-throw-ins","tag-charlie-banfield","tag-coates-talent-league","tag-daniel-annable","tag-dean-bid","tag-draft-mail","tag-draft-pool","tag-dylan-patterson","tag-earning-selection","tag-father-son-academy","tag-father-son-prospect","tag-getty-images-inc","tag-harry-dean","tag-harry-dean-carlton","tag-impressive-on-field-campaigns","tag-intercept-ability","tag-intercept-marks","tag-jack-ison","tag-launch-back","tag-legs-ticking","tag-list-representatives","tag-max-king","tag-meal-plans","tag-melbourne","tag-mitch-marsh","tag-murray-bushrangers","tag-oceania","tag-off-field-professionalism-led","tag-paul-kane","tag-peter-dean-stats","tag-points-scenario","tag-potato-burrito-bowl","tag-practice-game","tag-real-deal","tag-recovery-boots","tag-richmond-loom","tag-rule-changes","tag-rule-tweaks","tag-scouting-perspective","tag-season-ending-shoulder-injury","tag-shock-surge","tag-shoulder-injury","tag-sports","tag-sweet-potato-burrito","tag-tricky-bid-looms","tag-tricky-picks","tag-versatile-key-defender","tag-vic-country","tag-victoria","tag-victoria-country","tag-zac-mccarthy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=251676"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251676\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/251677"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=251676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=251676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=251676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}