Talia's injury shouldn't have draft impactBy Ben Broad | Thu 20 August, 2009
A SEASON-ENDING hamstring injury is unlikely to see highly-touted youngster Daniel Talia drop in the pecking order ahead of the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.
The Calder Cannon probably won't play in the TAC Cup competition again this year but that shouldn't deter recruiters, according to club regional manager Ian Kyte.
So impressive was Talia's form mid-season that AFL clubs won't forget his impact.
And in a year where the draft pool is laden with high-quality midfielders – and with taller talent seemingly harder to come by than previous seasons – many share Kyte's view.
At 195cm and around 90kg, Talia stands out.
"I think he will be close to a first round [pick], maybe second round," Kyte told afl.com.au.
Talia's hamstring injury is similar to that suffered by former Cannons teammate and Port Adelaide draftee Jackson Trengove.
He has not played since mid-July but his injury is not as severe as Trengove's, with that player widely tipped to be a first-round selection last year before slipping through to the Power at No.22.
"He's got an injury to a hamstring tendon … I think Jacko's actually ruptured off the bone but Daniel has only got a minor tear in it," Kyte said.
"We're going to err on the side of caution and probably just make sure he's ready for his AFL club when he gets drafted in two or three months' time.
"We're not going to put him under any stress and try to get him back to playing.
"It's not important whether we win or lose. It's important that he's ready to play AFL footy next year."
Kyte believes Talia's striking performances in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships will ensure he remains in hot demand come late November.
The 17-year-old was named at centre-half back in this year's All-Australian team but, considering the versatility he showed for Vic Metro, it would be unfair to pigeon-hole him in the 'tall defender' category.
"He's very agile … his aerobic capacity for someone at 193, 194cm and that weight is very good," Kyte said.
"He's certainly a competitor."
Kyte said Talia would be able to pinch-hit at centre-half forward, though he was used on the ball to rack up a heap of possessions for Metro mid-year.
His carnival aside, it hasn't been the happiest season for Talia.
A knee to the mouth early in the TAC Cup season kept him sidelined for a month. The hamstring injury – suffered during the championships – has meant more frustration.
But while some AFL clubs might have been wary of Trengove's ailment last November, Kyte says that won't work against Talia.
"I think he's done enough already to show he's well and truly capable of playing back, forward and even having a run in the midfield at 195cm, which is what he did in the carnival for Vic Metro quite successfully," he said.
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