Young talent time
25 June 2006 Sunday Herald Sun
Jackie Epstein
``There's plenty of quality in the draft and it'll run fairly deep - a bit deeper than what it's done for a long time. I think clubs with second-round picks this year will be quite happy with what they get,'' Dodoro said.
``I think it possibly will (be better than 2001) because there's a lot more taller key-position players in this draft, so the chances of finding franchise players for your footy club is this year.''
One of the strongest areas is Queensland, which Carlton recruiting manager Wayne Hughes said could have up to six players drafted.
``I thought Queensland had a lot last year and their program is obviously working very well, so I think they've done a fantastic job up there,'' Hughes said.
``Last year I think they had five and they might get the same this year.''
With Queensland and Tasmania fielding strong line-ups, Dodoro said he could not remember travelling further than he had this year in search of the next big thing. That claim was backed by St Kilda's recruiter John Beveridge.
``I would say most clubs have watched Queensland more closely,'' Beveridge said.
``There are a few there you'd go and have a second look at. The other thing that caused us to do more travelling was the New South Wales scholarship program.
``People say the top 15 are strong, but you never quite know how deep it's going to run. The good players generally play very well against their peers in these championships.
``In 2001, the good players played well and from our point of view, some didn't play such as Matt Maguire.
``He'd been injured early in the year and wasn't healthy enough to play for Vic Country.''
AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said the strongest tall players included Jack Riewoldt, cousin of StKilda's Nick; Mitch Thorp, James Sellar, Matthew Leuenberger, Kurt Tippett and North Ballarat twins Mitchell and Nathan Brown.
``There are 10 or 12 who are big, tall key-position players or ruckmen,'' Sheehan said.
``There's always been a perception out there - where have all the talls gone?
``We've got a hell of a batch now. The two boys out of Queensland are super impressive, Brent Renouf and Tippett. Shaun Hampson as well is 201cm.''
Last year, after the championships, Melbourne recruiting manager Craig Cameron noted that several of the ineligible players would have loomed as potential top-five picks if they had been available.
``I'm a selector for the under-16s All-Australian side this year, so it will be interesting to see how that stacks up because it could be a real boomer of a year next year,'' he said at the time.
``There's probably two guys who ran around today who could have been top five, in Lachlan Hansen and Scott Gumbleton, and then you have Leroy Jetta and Joel Selwood and Albert Proud.
``I'm not sure they'd go top five as well, but they'd be up there. Next year's crop looks really good.''
Selwood, the brother of Troy and Adam, is injured and won't play today, but he has already done enough to impress. In terms of midfielders Selwood and Gibbs are regarded as the best.
The standard will be high in both divisions, starting with Vic Country playing Western Australia in the first match at Princes Park today.
``I am just looking forward to it,'' Hughes said.
Players to watch this week
James Sellar, Glenelg, SA, 195cm, 92kg, 17 Played most of his junior footy in the ruck, but has developed into a key forward at Glenelg. In his debut this year he kicked four goals in the first half and has been touted as leadership material.
Bryce Gibbs, Glenelg, SA, 188cm, 79kg, 17 A versatile playmaker who can be used on the wing, in the middle and in key defensive posts. The day after he found out Adelaide could not get him under the father-son rule he was best on ground in the Australian under-17s team that defeated Ireland in international rules. A clear standout.
Lachlan Hansen, Gippsland Power, 195cm, 92kg, 17 Prominent for Vic Country last year, he is a genuine key-position prospect. Played for the Australian Institute of Sport-AFL Academy team that toured Ireland last year. Runs hard and reads the play well.
Scott Gumbleton, Peel Thunder, WA, 195, 92, 17 Has played all season as a tall forward and is a fine contested mark. A distant relative of North Melbourne's 1975 and '77 premiership defender, Frank, he kicked four goals on debut and has looked comfortable in a key role.
Mitchell Thorp, Northern Bombers, Tas, 195cm, 85kg, 17 Stepped up to play for the Devils in the VFL as a tall inside forward. A member of the AIS-AFL Academy he has an unquestionable pedigree - the cousin of Sydney's Nick Davis and nephew of four-time premiership star Brent Crosswell.
Leroy Jetta, South Fremantle, WA, 175cm, 73kg, 17 An explosive midfielder, whose pace has been likened to that of Brisbane Lions' Jason Akermanis. Selected in the All-Australian team after impressing in last year's championships and will be keenly looked at again.
Jack Riewoldt, Clarence, Tas, 193cm, 84kg, 17 Made an impressive VFL debut with two goals and several strong grabs on his way to being named Tassie's best player. A good junior sprinter who is the cousin of St Kilda's Nick.
Matthew Leuenberger, East Perth, WA, 202cm, 92kg, 18 Giant ruckman who looks ready to make the transition. Was a long-time basketballer before dedicating himself to footy two years ago. Played in the championships last year and has improved markedly since.
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