One possible outside the square draftee Richmond is apparently looking at...Keep an eye on Shannon* From: The Messenger MJM is a SANFL scout who reckons a certain Lonsdale player just might be a long-term project for AFL club Richmond.
I WILL preface this article by stating I am a local league scout for a SANFL club that will remain nameless.
However, I heard from a colleague that SA-based Richmond scout Darryl Evans had become interested in a young kid by the name of Shannon Leitch playing for Lonsdale in the Southern Football League (SFL).
Now, with a lack of knowledge around the SFL, I decided I would have a bit of a look into who this youngster is and why I hadn't heard of him. I found that Leitch had played at Sacred Heart College with current AFL-listed players such as Hamish Hartlett, Cameron Hitchcock, Jack Redden and Tom McNamara.
According to my source, Leitch popped up on Evans' radar while at Glenelg in 2007.
After attempting to try out for West Adelaide during the pre-season Leitch only made it through one training session before failing to meet the grade during a 3km time trial.
He has since resigned himself to the Lonsdale football club where he had an impressive pre-season and an even more impressive start to the season proper. Leitch averaged 24 disposals and one goal a game throughout the pre-season including an impressive showing against Macclesfield tallying 33 disposals and 1.1 in front of goal. More impressive is his ability to prevent his opposition from having an impact on the game with his average disposals against a low 5 through out pre-season.
Leitch continued to impress in his teams season opener against Noarlunga this Saturday gone. Tallying 26 disposals and one goal he was a rare highlight in his teams 14 goal demise at the hands of a much stronger Noarlunga. The biggest problem facing Leitch is the lack of talent surrounding him with his team unable to utilise his simply astonishing turn of speed and smart football brain. However, when Leitch is able to get his hands on the ball it is that turn of speed that captures your vision.
Playing primarily off the wing Leitch has a classy disposal on both the left and right side of his body.
However, it is neither his breathtaking speed nor first rate hand and feet skills that have allegedly captured the eye of Richmond scouts. I've been led to believe that Leitch's professionalism and work ethic have been the major points of interest.
Now, I'm personally not completely sold on Leitch as a Rookie list prospect, I do believe he would make a quality league and reserves player.
However, what interests me more than the player himself is a theory that was brought up by a friend on Saturday whilst watching Leitch play. He reminded me of the allegations made that Collingwood was hiding prodigy forward Sean Rusling from opposition teams by keeping him at school level the year he was drafted.
My friend then suggested maybe Richmond have already made their decision based on the raw potential of Leitch and are hiding him away in a team where he clearly can't function to the best of his ability, in order to keep him from the eyes of the local franchises.
I am going to follow this story throughout the year and will re-post another review in the next 4-6 weeks, once I've seen a bit more from the youngster, but he has certainly grabbed my attention and hopefully will grab the attention of someone from one of our local franchises as it would be a shame to see a local talent go interstate if Richmond do follow through on their initial interest.
SFL player Shannon Leitch (Lonsdale). Supplied by MJM. Source: AdelaideNowhttp://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/keep-an-eye-on-shannon/story-fn5909im-1225853328083
