AFL Tasmania and the Tasmania Football Club are pleased to announce that Tasmania has performed very well in today's NAB AFL Pre-Season and Rookie drafts, with a further five Tasmanian footballers being drafted by AFL clubs. This brings the total number of Tasmanian players drafted onto AFL Club lists in 2007 to six, a number above Tasmania's national quota.
The AFL draft process takes place in it's entirety over a month and consists of three drafts - the National Draft, The Pre-Season Draft and the Rookie Draft. Considerable work is undertaken behind the scenes with AFL clubs and recruiting managers during this time to give exposure to players that have been overlooked in the National Draft. Tom Bellchambers, Brodie Moles and Aaron Joseph all benefited from AFL Tasmania's support in flying them to Melbourne to train with AFL Clubs during the last month.
The players drafted today, and thus joining Tom Collier who was taken in the National Draft, are as follows:
Pre-Season Draft
Tom Bellchambers - Pick 8 Essendon
Tom is a 202cm ruckman for the Tasmanian Devils and Tassie Mariners and 2007 Darrel Baldock Medallist for the Launceston Football Club. AFL Tasmania flew Tom to train with Essendon over the past week, where he was able to display his talents to coaching and recruiting staff.
Rookie Draft
Aaron Joseph - Pick 2 Carlton
Aaron debuted for the Tasmanian Devils in 2007 and is a dual Tassie Mariners Best and Fairest winner and Glenorchy premiership player. From Strahan, he is an attacking inside midfielder with great speed and agility. Aaron recorded the fastest agility test time at the draft camp and was in the top 5 for the 20m sprint. Aaron has also spent the week training at Carlton, a decision that has obviously proven beneficial.
Nathan Grima - Pick 14 Kangaroos
Nathan rose to prominence with the Tasmanian Devils in 2005 and 2006 after having two seasons in the Tassie Mariners in 2003/04. He relocated to Central Districts in the SANFL in 2007 and played in their premiership side, alongside Ian Callinan.
Brodie Moles - Pick 16 Geelong
A Tassie Mariner in 2004, Brodie had issues with injuries before having a fantastic year with the Tasmanian Devils in 2007. A talented and highly skilled forward or midfielder, Brodie was also flown to Melbourne by AFL Tasmania last week, to train with the Western Bulldogs under the eyes of all AFL recruiting staff.
Alex Grima- Pick 42 Hawthorn
A Tassie Mariner and Tasmanian Devil in 2007 and the youngest of the three Grima brothers. Alex is a clever wingman from the Northern Bombers with great speed and agility. A bittersweet day for the Grima family with two boys being drafted, but Todd who was recently delisted by Geelong, missing out.
For more information please contact:
Nick Probert
State Talent Pathway and Welfare Manager
0418 998 361
Scott Wade
General Manager
0419 024 406
Ends.
Last Modified on 18/04/2008 09:21