2009 National Draft - Ben Griffiths (Pick 19)
Ben Griffiths highlights:
http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/226072 DOB: 17/09/91
Height: 198.5cm
Weight: 97.6kg
Club: Eastern Ranges, TAC Cup
What the recruiters say:Ben is a powerful key position forward from the Eastern Ranges TAC club. Ben is an AFL-AIS Academy graduate of 2008 and as an underage player for his TAC club, played 4 games in 2007 and 8 games in 2008. Due to an injury interrupted 2009, Ben managed 10 games for Eastern and 4 games for the Vic Metro side in the NAB U18 National Championships.
Ben went into the U18 Championships with a very limited preparation but performed very well in his 1st game against NSW with 5 goal haul from full forward. In following games he was used higher up the ground at CHF and in the ruck to good effect. In the TAC Cup, Ben had goal hauls of 6 in round 17 against eventual TAC premier the Calder Cannons and in the 1st qualifying final against top side the Geelong Falcons, he had 10 marks and 4 goals in their upset win.
Ben has the speed and size to play as genuine power forward at AFL level. He has the acceleration to break free from opponents as a leading forward but also the size and strength to mark the ball one out in a contested situation. Ben also has great power and depth in his kicking and showed great composure in 2009 to kick long clutch goals. The club is excited about the prospect of developing Ben into a key forward who will demand the footy on the Richmond forward line in years to come.
Ben Griffiths in his own words:What type of player are you?
A tall key forward, who provides a good option on the lead and good below the knees.
Which AFL player do you feel you resemble, and why?
Justin Koschitzke, because I'm big, athletic and try to break the packs similar to the way he breaks them, and I'm a pretty good mark.
What are your strengths as a footballer?
I would say my cleanness below my knees, my kicking, and I'm pretty quick over the ground.
What parts of your game would you like to improve?
I really want to improve my endurance and agility for getting through traffic.
Which AFL team do you support and how did you come to barrack for them?
I follow Hawthorn, I came about this because my mum goes for them and so does her whole family.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far, and why?
Wayne McCraw, ex-Eastern Ranges coach. He showed a lot of faith in me in under-16s when I wasn't sure about whether to play footy or not. He gave me a lot of advice about my game and really helped me develop.
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/Season2010/2009NationalDraft/BenGriffiths/tabid/15506/Default.aspx
