Gloss not yet off these players Jon Ralph From: Herald Sun November 06, 2009
THE best thing about trash and treasure sales is that there is something for everyone.
The past owner couldn't get it out of the door quick enough, but you can pick up a bargain and, with a lick of paint, it might be as good as new.
A raft of AFL rejects will be up for grabs in the national and pre-season drafts, and while most will be ignored, some will surely be snapped up.
And no matter your requirement, the player is there for you to draft.
Want an inside midfielder? Shunned North Melbourne onballer Daniel Harris is your man.
As a fall-back, former Melbourne midfielder Shane Valenti may just be the man to step into an experienced centre-square set-up and win some quality ball.
Former St Kilda defender Matt Maguire once had the potential to be the league's dominant centre half-back, which means surely one club will be prepared to draft him.
Carlton will consider throwing Maguire a lifeline, with coach Brett Ratten saying yesterday: "He'll come down and train with us. It will give us a chance just to see where his body is at and to have a look at him with our group.
"If he does everything right, he'll be a chance."
If the Blues don't want Maguire 99-game career, there are other defences across the league that could use bolstering.
As for taggers, there is a wealth of options. Robert Shirley was an A-grade tagger for years at Adelaide, while an attacking run-with tagger such as former Blue Jordan Bannister would be a reasonable long shot.
Ruckmen are perhaps a little thin on the ground, but there is Richmond's Adam Pattison.
As for forwards, the future does not look bright for Richmond's Nathan Brown or Melbourne's Russell Robertson.
Recruiters had speculated that Gold Coast's inclusion from 2011 may force clubs to punt on veterans, but neither seems to have garnered much interest.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/gloss-not-yet-off-these-players/story-e6frf9if-1225794825179
