Head coach of the Australian Institute of Sport - Australian Football League (AIS/AFL) program, Wheeler has no doubt that Monfries can make an impact in his first season at Bomberland.
""I would be looking for him to be playing in the second half of the year and I think he could play at least eight to ten games in his first season,"" he said.
Wheeler has had a major impact on Monfries development as a junior footballer. An AIS/AFL graduate, the South Australian first impressed Wheeler at a junior carnival two years ago.
""He stood out as a midfielder who could get plenty of the football. He had terrific hands and was very good in close and around the contest,"" he said.
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""One thing that really impressed me was his versatility. He proved that he was not a one-dimensional player when he went forward and kicked goals, including five goals in one game.""
Taken at selection 14 by the Bombers in the pre-season draft, Monfries attracted interest from as many as 12 clubs prior to the draft. But it was the Essendon that took a liking to his midfield prowess and leadership qualities and he was snapped up as their first selection.
Wheeler predicted the former Sturt player, who played five games in the seniors last season, would be a future star player for the club.
Wheeler believes the youngster’s intelligence on and off the field would benefit him at Windy Hill in 2005.
""He has the capacity to understand the game through his greatest strength – his intelligence. This attribute is not specifically related to the football field either, as I’m sure he will pursue a University degree when he settles in at Essendon next year,"" Wheeler said.
""The thing that really struck me about Angus though while he was at the AIS were his leadership qualities. I think that this is something that will only develop further at Essendon with experience,"" he said.
Monfries’ leadership virtues were rewarded earlier this year when he was named captain of the Australian under 17 side for the first test of the International Rules series against Ireland.
The next stage of Monfries’ development has already begun with the transition into senior football beginning with pre-season training program alongside his new teammates.
Wheeler is a strong believer in the boy from across the border, saying the next step will be just another challenge for him.
""At junior level, there is so much to deal with, skill acquisition and learning how to play the game but if you are good enough the rest will follow naturally,"" Wheeler said.
""His strength and leg speed will come and that is something I am sure John Quinn will work on during pre-season. I’m looking forward to seeing him develop in the next year or two.""
