List trim puts big names in draft
Michael Gleeson | November 5, 2009
BUCKLEY, Ablett and Power. Three of the biggest names in football and they all want to play next year at new clubs.
Of course, the Ablett is Luke not Gary, the Buckley used to be a Demon called Simon and the Power, Sam, is keen to play anywhere but would love to join his big brother Luke at the Lions.
Sydney premiership player Ablett has not been delisted by the Swans but is out of contract and yet to have been offered a new deal. He may look to the draft to find a new home.
Buckley could end up playing for Buckley, as Collingwood is one of a clutch of clubs including North Melbourne, Richmond and Carlton, that are interested in the former Demon.Clubs last week trimmed lists to make space before this year's draft. Clubs will trim lists further as they attempt to make space to secure as many young players as possible in this year's draft before next year's drafts are diluted by the priority picks given to the new clubs, accentuated by the fact this year's draft is already shallow.
The pool of players for this year's draft, which will be held on November 26, is smaller than normal with the draft age being raised from 17 to 18 and the Gold Coast already cherry-picking some of that talent through its priority access to 17-year-olds.
Luke Ball remains the big-ticket item potentially available for one of the drafts should he choose to quit Moorabbin.
Jesse Smith quit North Melbourne believing his chances of overcoming a persistent ankle problem were best served at a better resourced club.
Graham Polak hopes to be offered a mature rookie position at Richmond should no other club surprise and take him ahead of that. His former teammate Mark Coughlan is equally looking for another home but, like Demon Russell Robertson, who is seeking to convince clubs that age has not wearied him, Coughlan must convince that his body is not spent.Power, who began his career at the Bulldogs before being traded to North, was delisted but is understood to be of interest to the Lions where his brother plays.
Power's North teammate Daniel Harris would equally be of interest. Harris presents the classic situation for clubs considering a recycled player - they know what they are going to get. With Harris that's a player good at getting first hands on the ball, but one not quick over the ground.
Brisbane has already cut Joel Macdonald and Rhan Hooper. Both lacked currency in trade week but that may be otherwise at the draft table.
Former Saint Matt Maguire is expected to be offered the chance to train at Carlton, while the Blues have already asked former Adelaide player Aaron Kite to train with them.
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/list-trim-puts-big-names-in-draft/2009/11/04/1257247659749.html
