The
cream of Western Australia’s
young football talent headed east on Tuesday to showcase their abilities in
front of the watchful eyes of the AFL’s recruiters.
Each
year the best 75 young players in Australia
gather for the NAB AFL Draft Camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
Academy in Canberra.
The
camp is a key event in the lead-up to November’s NAB AFL Draft, with the
attendees given an opportunity to impress the 16 AFL clubs.
Each
player is assessed on their ability through a number of tests relating to
agility, speed, endurance, vertical jump and a number of other assessments.
The
Draft Camp also offers AFL clubs a chance to meet the players with one-on-one
interviews.
The
13-strong WA group is spearheaded by Nicholas Naitanui and Daniel Rich, who are
both touted as top three picks.
With
the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers holding the second and third picks
and wooden spooner Melbourne
predicted to take Victorian Jack Watts at number one, it’s likely both will
stay in WA.
Swan
District’s Naitanui said he was excited at the chance to show off his abilities
at the camp.
It’s
going to be a big week ahead,” he said.
Naitanui
said he wasn’t feeling any pressure to perform.
“I
just want to go over there and do my best,” he said. “As long as me and all the
other boys do our best to represent WA, we’ll be happy.”
Subiaco’s
gun midfielder Daniel Rich said he wasn’t too worried about impressing the
recruiters, instead hoping to enjoy himself and get the most out of the camp.
“I
just want to try my best and what will be will be,” he said. “I’ve had a
reasonable year so the rest will take care of itself.”
Claremont’s Matt De Boer knows
exactly which club he wants to play for.
“I’ve
taken my Eagles singlet across,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll send a bit of a
message. I would love to stay home.”
Naitanui,
Rich, and DeBoer were selected in the under-18 All-Australian side earlier this
year, along with Swan District’s Michael Walters and Clancee Pearce, and West Perth’s Stephen Hill. (Pictured)
The
rise from draftee to the highest levels of AFL can be meteoric.
East
Fremantle product Harry Taylor, picked by Geelong at number 17 in 2007,
experienced the agony of Grand Final defeat in his first AFL season as the Cats
went down to Hawthorn in last week’s decider.
Last year 24
players were taken from WA overall, including six first-round picks. There were
25 players taken overall in 2006 including two first-round picks.
With
the quality of this year’s crop of youngsters, another bumper draft for WA
football awaits.
