McBean joins Tigers Patrick Lane
From: Moonee Valley Leader
November 29, 2012 The 203cm St Bernard's College graduate knew he'd land somewhere, but just what colours he'd be sporting by night's end was a mystery to him.
The first round came and went and McBean, his heart racing, was none the wiser.
But when Richmond was called to the microphone McBean didn't need to wait for his name, the numerical identification was all it took to send a loungeroom of family and friends into a spin.
McBean, of Aberfeldie, would be joining great mate and former Calder Cannons player Brandon Ellis at his beloved Tigers.
"I'm absolutely rapt. It still hasn't set in," McBean said hours after the draft.
"When Richmond's pick came (pick 33) along I'd memorised my ID and as soon as the last three numbers were read out everyone just jumped up and down.
"I started crying. I really couldn't believe it."
A member of the yellow-and-black army long before he was touted a future Tiger, McBean is well equipped to spin a yarn on Richmond's hopes, not just as a fan but as a player.
"They're on the up," he said. "I'm stoked to be joining such a good environment and I've been a Richmond fan since the day I was born.
"Next year will be a very exciting year for the club. After some of the results they've posted this year we are certainly on the up.
"I've been very excited about the direction they're taking for a long time and I'm just stoked to be a part of it."
Richmond recruiting manager Francis Jackson toed a similar line, telling the club's media unit McBean had the attributes to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
"He is a highly rated young developing ruckman who has also been a member of the AIS-AFL Academy in 2011 and 2012," he said.
"Liam's strengths are his abilities to read the flow of the game and get to many contests with his running ability."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/localfooty/mcbean-joins-tigers/story-fn53khk2-1226526374084
