Tigers back late winnersrichmondfc.com.au
By Tony Greenberg | Wed 04 November, 2009
With Richmond poised to select deep into the upcoming 2009 National Draft, it’s interesting to reflect on the Tigers’ history with later picks since the draft’s inception in 1986.
While Richmond has copped criticism for a few of its early selections over the journey, the Club has, at the opposite end of the ledger, managed to unearth a few gems in the later draft rounds.
The pick of these probably has been Andrew Kellaway, who was taken at pick 71 by the Tigers off their then supplementary list, back in the 1997 National Draft.
After a slow start to AFL football, Kellaway developed into an integral part of the Richmond line-up, with his playing career underpinned by great courage, discipline, determination, durability and an excellent work ethic.
The highlight of Kellaway’s time at Tigerland came in 2000. He played every game that season, took the most number of marks for the team (161), won the prestigious Jack Dyer Medal, and also earned All-Australian selection.
When Kellaway bowed out of league football at the end of the 2006 season, he had played 172 games and given wonderful service to the Tigers. Not bad for a fifth round draft choice . . .
Nick Daffy was a 17-year-old from North Gambier, who’d spent part of the 1990 season playing for SANFL club Glenelg’s thirds, when Richmond selected him with pick 49 in the ’90 National Draft.
He would go on to win Richmond’s Leading Goalkicker award in 1995, the Jack Dyer Medal in 1998, and establish himself as one of the Tigers’ key players during a 165-game career with the Club.
Current Tiger captain Chris Newman is further proof that having your name called out late on draft day certainly doesn’t preclude you from enjoying a successful career at the game’s highest level.
Newman, who was chosen by Richmond at pick 55 in the 2000 National Draft, has been a consistent, valuable performer with the Tigers since making his senior debut in 2002.
He was impressive in what was a difficult first year in the captaincy chair at Tigerland in 2009, and has now played 154 AFL games, making him the Club’s third most experienced league performer, behind Matthew Richardson (282 games) and Ben Cousins (253).
Another current-day Richmond fourth-round draft pick, who has become of the first picked in the Tiger team each week, is Daniel Jackson.
Jackson was taken at pick 53 by the Tigers in the 2003 National Draft and, after a slow start to his league career, blossomed this year as a run-with player, finishing runner-up to Brett Deledio in the Jack Dyer Medal.
Still only 23 years of age, ‘Jacko’ certainly seems to have scope for further improvement and looks set to significantly add to his total AFL games tally of 69.
List of top Tiger late draft picksNick Daffy, pick 49 in 1990 National Draft: 1992-01, 165 games, 181 goals.
Matthew Rogers, pick 37 in 1992 National Draft: 1994-03, 196 games, 162 goals.
Paul Bulluss, pick 52 in 1992 National Draft: 1993-98, 97 games, 20 goals.
Mark Merenda, pick 50 in 1993 National Draft: 1994-00, 75 games, 62 goals.
Justin Charles, pick 46 in 1994 National Draft: 1995-98, 54 games, 38 goals.
Mark Chaffey, pick 35 in 1996 National Draft: 1997-06, 166 games, 34 goals.
Andrew Kellaway, pick 71 in 1997 National Draft: 1998-06, 172 games, 30 goals.
Ray Hall, pick 79 in 1998 National Draft: 1999-06, 99 games, 28 goals.
Chris Hyde, pick 40 in 2000 National Draft: 2002-08, 93 games, 39 goals.
Andrew Krakouer, pick 41 in 2000 National Draft: 2001-07, 102 games, 102 goals.
Chris Newman, pick 55 in 2000 National Draft: 2002-09, 154 games, 20 goals.
Daniel Jackson, pick 53 in 2003 National Draft: 2004-09, 69 games, 19 goals.
Luke McGuane, pick 36 in 2004 National Draft: 2006-09, 54 games, 2 goals.
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