Richmond raptBy Dale Fletcher
AliceNow
Friday, 16 December 2011RICHMOND Football Club could not be happier with the addition of Federal flying forward Gibson Turner.
The Tigers, who selected the 177cm Turner with pick 60 in Tuesday's Australian Football League (AFL) Rookie Draft, have had their eye on the Demons 2011 premiership player for some time.
Richmond recruitment manager Francis Jackson said: ``We have been checking Gibson out for about 12 months.
``He didn't play much at South Australian league level this year but he has played great for his college, Sacred Heart, and during the under-18 carnival.''
Turner has spent the past two years at Sacred Heart College in Adelaide, a school which has produced AFL stars Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle), Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide, GWS Giants), Kane Cornes (Port Adelaide) and Andrew Mackie (Geelong).
Jackson said: ``We feel Gibson spending two years in boarding school has prepared him for life in the AFL, away from family and friends.''
The Tigers had no hesitation in selecting Turner, even though their last local draft choice, Troy Taylor, was delisted this year.
He said: ``Gibson is totally different to Troy. He will have the support network and has experienced life away before.''
Jackson said Turner will be a ``terrific fit'' at Punt Road.
He said: ``We picked Gibson up off the plane and we went straight to training.
``He wants to make the most of this opportunity.''
Richmond's link to Central Australia had no bearing on Turner's selection.
He said: ``We drafted GIbson because we think he will be an outstanding player for the Tigers in years to come.
``Gibson hailing from Alice Springs is just a bonus, but that will benefit our Outback Tigers program.''
Jackson said Turner has been earmarked as a small forward with a magnificent skill set.
He said: ``His quickness is a great attribute, especially with the amount of forward defensive pressure in the game these days.
``He also can take a contested mark. For someone to be able to do that at his height is special.''
Jackson said selecting Turner with pick 60 was an outstanding result for the Tigers.
He said: ``We knew Gibson had some interest from other clubs.
``He spent all of last week at the club and we got to know him well and for him to still be available when we had that pick was a great outcome.''
Turner will play next year for Coburg Tigers in the Victorian Football League (VFL), who are Richmond's affiliated club.
Coburg Football Club general manager and former AFL Central Australia boss Jake McCauley said: ``It is fantastic news for Gibson. I know him on a personal level from my days in Alice Springs and I think he will be perfect for us (Coburg) and Richmond.''
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