This weekend will see a number of VFL and TAC Cup draftees make their AFL debut. As the teams start to be announced for this weekend’s matches, the list of debutants is starting to grow from the VFL and TAC Cup ranks.
The side that will field the most VFL debutants will be North Melbourne, with both Cameron Richardson (North Ballarat) and Cameron Pedersen (Box Hill Hawks) likely to play this weekend. Pedersen in a late call up to the Kangaroos list, being upgraded from the rookie list today to cover former Eastern Ranges player Ayden Kennedy (drafted pick 41, 2009) who has been placed on the long term injury list. As well as the two former VFL players, former Murray Bushranger Shaun Atley will also make his debut for Nth Melbourne, after being selected at pick 17 in the 2010 draft.
"Our first pick from last year Shaun Atley will make his debut which we're really excited about. He's earned his spot in the side. We've clearly picked our best 22 that we think can win the game and Shaun's forced his way into that side which is really exciting for him,” Nth Melbourne coach Brad Scott said.
"Cameron Richardson from North Ballarat will also make his debut for us. He's been in our best side all pre-season, and as well as Shaun Atley he's forced his way in.”
Speaking on Pedersen’s rookie upgrade, Scott said "It's been a pretty big 12 months for Cam Pedersen. His wife's given birth to their first child. He's done it the hard way coming through the VFL system to get put on a rookie list and be elevated onto the senior list to make his debut, so it's really exciting times for him."
In other early draftee news:
- 2010 Box Hill Hawks best and fairest Ed Curnow will become the 1,129th player to represent Carlton. Ed is a nominated Rookie in 2011 and was recruited to Carlton from Box Hill Hawks via the 2011 Rookie Draft. Originally from Modewarre, Geelong College, Geelong U18s and was also a Rookie with Adelaide Crows.
- Former Bendigo Bomber, and now Essendon utility Stewart Crameri was today promoted to the club’s senior list as a replacement for emerging defender Anthony Long. Crameri, 22, made a significant impact in the Bombers’ NAB Cup campaign earlier this year and is now available for selection in Essendon’s Round 1 clash with the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
- Gippsland Power first round draft pick and 2010 co Morrish medal winner Dyson Heppell will make his debut against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, Essendon coach James Hird confirmed on Thursday. After a reduced squad of 26 Essendon players trained at Etihad Stadium, Hird said 18-year-old Heppell, who was taken with pick eight in last year's NAB AFL Draft, would face the Bulldogs. "I’d say that Dyson Heppell is very close to being in the team and will probably play his first game this week," Hird said. “Sometimes it takes some guys more time to play their first game, but Dyson’s lucky to be playing in round one and we just hope that he plays well and enjoys the experience. Hird said Heppell would be the only debutant for the Bombers, with 2010 Frankston best and fairest winner Michael Hibberd likely to play in round two.
- Former Dandenong Stingray Jake Batchelor will make his debut for Richmond on Thursday night. Taken at pick 30 in the national draft, Batchelor was the Stingrays best and fairest in 2010
- Fremantle will unveil first-round draft pick Jayden Pitt against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night. Coach Mark Harvey confirmed that Pitt, the No.20 selection at the 2010 NAB AFL Draft from the Geelong Falcons, will make a surprise debut after impressing with his composure and maturity in late pre-season matches. The slightly built 18-year-old was expected to develop his 70kg frame before pushing for selection, but Harvey said the highly skilled midfielder was equipped for AFL football.
Last Modified on 24/03/2011 16:15