Another year, another Top 10 draft pick from the Eastern Suburbs.
Vermont Junior Sam Weideman capped of a rough year with selection as the 9th player in this years Draft meaning the foward will be heading to Melbourne in 2016.
A further four players will also get their chance with all but one will remain in Victoria.
Pick 9 – Melbourne
Sam Weideman – Eastern Ranges/ Vermont
No surprises at all that Weideman managed to be taken Top 10. For the Demons, he is a likely proposition in year one with the potential to grow into a genuine match winner.
Weideman is the first Top 10 selection to come from the Eagles.
Pick 29 – Essendon
Alex Morgan – Oakleigh Chargers/ Forest Hill/ Waverley Blues
The Bombers already possess a number of key tall defenders, it made sense that Morgan would be on their radar, A pacey back man who uses the ball well.
Being drafted is a major feat for Morgan who considered giving away the chance to play at the highest level and was more than happy to play for the love of the game. In 2015 he found the love and joined the Oakleigh Chargers program and hasn’t looked back.
Pick 31 – North Melbourne
Ryan Clarke – Eastern Ranges/ Knox/ Rowville
A Number of selections ahead meant that Clarke slipped the pecking order although was still seen by North Melbourne as a likely type.
Clarke knows how to find the footy and on more than one occasion has lifted his side from the jaws of defeat. The Kangaroos will be hoping he can do the same when he heads to Arden St in 2016.
Pick 44 – Hawthorn
Blake Hardwick – Eastern Ranges/ Beverley Hills (YJFL)/ Donvale
No Surprises that Hardwick got looked at by a number of clubs – He led the TAC Cup goal kicking and managed two bags of 10+ goals along the way.
Hawthorn have been able to identify small/ medium forwards in recent years, they will be hoping that Hardwick falls into that group.
Pick 55 – Fremantle
Samuel Collins – Box Hill Hawks/ Uni Blacks (VAFA)/ Donvale
The second Donvale player in three years to head to the West (Michael Apeness Pick 17, 2013). Collins has done everything necessary to get his shot after coming through the Oakleigh Chargers program in 2012.
The Donvale Junior has played the last three seasons with Box Hill even slipping in a game for South Croydon in 2014.
Ready made players always appeal to recruiters, if Collins impresses early and he could very well be a regular Senior player within 18 months.
