Thursfield the pick of 51 rookies
1:49:12 PM Tue 14 December, 2004
Matt Burgan
Sportal
A total of 51 youngsters ranging from 18 to 23 years old have been drafted onto AFL rookie lists in the lead up to the 2005 season after the final draft of the season was held at Telstra Dome on Tuesday.
The rookie draft, which began in 1997, has become an important part of the drafting jigsaw puzzle, as it gives youngsters who had been overlooked in last month's draft, an opportunity to develop an AFL career.
Will Thursfield, a tall defender/forward from the Sandringham Dragons, was the first player selected in the rookie draft, after being overlooked in November.
A National Bank's AFL Draft Camp attendee this year, Thursfield was selected by Richmond, who opted to take just one rookie.
The Hawks had the second pick in the draft and selected key defender/forward Ruory Kirkby, who was arguably the biggest non-selected player surprise of the November draft.
But Hawthorn recruiting manager Gary Buckenara said the club was rapt to gain Kirkby's services.
"We were surprised he wasn't picked up in the National Draft. We probably rated him in the top 30 - our people," Buckenara said.
"We had a ruckman (Simon Taylor) picked out at pick 53 (in the November draft), so we overlooked him there, but the fact that he went through to the rookie draft, we were sure Richmond would take him and he slipped through to pick two for us, so we're delighted."
Former Collingwood midfielder Luke Mullins was drafted by St Kilda and ex-Swan Josh Thewlis was snapped up by the Kangaroos, while Robert Forster-Knight and Ryan Crowley were redrafted by Port Adelaide and Fremantle respectively.
West Coast also redrafted rookie Aaron Edwards, while the Brisbane Lions also added Josh Drummond back onto the rookie list.
Other players who were strongly tipped to be selected in the November draft, yet were bypassed and subsequently taken in the rookie draft included: Rowan Nayna (Western Bulldogs), Ryan Nye (Adelaide), Ben Sharp (West Coast), Ryan Bain (Essendon), Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide), Jesse D Smith (Carlton), Beau Wilkes (West Coast), Nick Becker (Carlton) and Heath Grundy (Sydney).
A total of 15 selections were passed over and therefore will not be utilised in 2005.
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