WHILE most AFL talent is born and bred in Victoria, the flair of the Sunshine Coast’s own is hard to go past. Seven Coast products will enter Thursday’s draft with the hope of landing themselves a shot at the big time.
Daniel Dzufer (Brisbane) and Rhys Magin (Essendon) have already had a taste of what the AFL has to offer, before being delisted at the close of the 2009 season, and the other five hopefuls will be looking for their first contract.
Ben Weightman
THE 19-year-old Maroochy-Northshore Roos product had a stellar season in this year’s Pineapple Hotel Cup.
He recently signed with Redlands for 2010, in what will be a step up for the midfield/forward.
AFLQ Sunshine Coast development manager Mark Kennedy said: “He’s the creative, clever and skilful type who has the ability to set games alight with limited touches.
“He’s still light-framed but shows plenty of promise.”
Lanze Magin
TWIN of Gold Coast signing Alik and brother of former Bomber Rhys, Lanze Magin was destined for a shot at the AFL.
The Caloundra midfielder knows how to find the ball and will never retreat from a contest.
“He’s different to his brothers ... because Lanze is a real hard nut, the in-and-under type,” Kennedy said.
“He has a very good running capacity, good skills and when the going is tough, he’s there to step up.”
Todd Grayson
THE ex-Victorian has been around the Sunshine Coast’s traps, playing for Maroochy-Northshore before signing with Gold Coast.
The 18-year-old can pop up all over the field and is not afraid to get his hands dirty.
“He can play tall or small, but most importantly he can find plenty of the football,” Kennedy says.
“He spent this year with the Gold Coast and if not drafted, he will more than likely spend another year with the Gold Coast playing in the VFL.”
Trent Manzone
CALOUNDRA’S Trent Manzone has served his time in the QAFL and is looking to make his mark in this year’s draft after a stellar season with Aspley.
“He’s much like Weightman. A forward-midfield type who has skills to burn,” Kennedy says of the 18-year-old.
“He’s light-framed but his tremendous vision and feel for the gamemore than make up for the need to develop his body going forward.
“He’ll be a real smokey over the next year or two.”
Nathan Spring
AFTER plying his trade with Gold Coast this year, Nambour’s Nathan Spring will be hoping talent scouts caught a glimpse of his penetrating kick.
“He’s powerful athlete who has a long kick and has shown glimpses of a better feel for the game over the last couple of years,” Kennedy said.
“He’ll likely play in the VFL if not drafted.”
Daniel Dzufer
MAROOCHY-Northshore’s Daniel Dzufer endured a tough couple of seasons with Brisbane after being picked up in the 2006 draft.
Dzufer could not make it off the rookie list and played just one AFL match.
But the 21-year-old will be having another crack at the draft and is hoping clubs are still on the hunt for a versatile midfielder.
“He’s got a shot at it again,” Kennedy said.
“I think there are too many of his type at Brisbane.
“He has the aerobic capacity, long-kicking range and ability to play the level but needs an opportunity.”
Rhys Magin
THE 20-year-old played a handful of games with Essendon but was cruelled by injuries throughout 2009.
The Pomona junior has the ability to perform at the highest level if his body can hold up.
“He has the skill set and the uncanny ability to bob up at the right times,” Kennedy said.
“He needs to continually improve his strength and endurance, but there should be some admirers of his style of game out there.”
Article written by Travis Meyn for the Sunshine Coast Daily.
The team at AFL Sunshine Coast would like to wish they boys listed above all the best in their efforts to find a new home at an AFL club in the upcoming draft.
Sam Reid
Former Caloundra junior Sam Reid also received a mention in Jon Ralph's article in the Herald Sun whilst talking to Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade:
Premiership windows are back in vogue, and if you listen to the pundits, Rodney Eade's Western Bulldogs will next year be fast approaching high noon.
The evidence isn't hard to find: five players over 30; players taking pay cuts to squeeze in Jason Akermanis and Nathan Eagleton; a high-risk recruit in Barry Hall.
Beyond the elder statesmen are a battle-hardened crew of hungry Bulldogs ready to break the club's premiership drought.
And behind them is a wave of kids, including Callan Ward, Ayce Cordy, Sam Reid and Andrejs Everitt, that will spearhead the next generation of prosperity.
Eade says he can have the best of both worlds.
He doesn't believe the Bulldogs will face a sudden drop when his Dad's Army moves on, and says there is a contingency plan for the next batch of retirements, too.
But dig a little deeper and you'll see the green shoots of regeneration are springing up at the same time the veterans continue to prosper.
Last Modified on 09/12/2009 17:30