TODAY's the big day for young hopefuls embarking on a football career at the top with the 22nd AFL national draft in Melbourne.
For several Aboriginal lads around the country, it'll be a nervous wait during today's proceedings. And for our part, we're willing to take a punt and record who we think will go when and where, the following half-a-dozen in no particular order:
West Perth's Stephen Hill looks to be first cab off the rank with Fremantle indicating their preference for the rangy winger as their first round pick (third overall).
Swan Districts' Chris Yarran has also firmed as a top-order selection with talk that Carlton may pick him up although Collingwood looms on the horizon.
Tall forward Liam Jones, who can take a grab, is a possible early second round pick and anyone from Brisbane to the Cats may bite.
Athletic Northern Territorian Charlie Sharples, plying his trade at Sturt in the SANFL this past season, could be an early third round pick, alongside Kimberley boy Casey Sibosado, with any one of the nine AFL clubs in Melbourne calling.
Though there's not been much talk about hard-running Subiaco midfielder Adam Cockie, you can bet Fremantle or West Coast would have had a good look at him over the past two seasons.
Steven Motlop, younger brother of Port Adelaide's Daniel, could be headed to Alberton, perhaps by the third round.
We'll end this here and record what we reckon could happen this morning.
First round
1st Stephen HILL to Fremantle
2nd Chris YARRAN to Carlton or Collingwood
Second round
3rd Liam JONES to Geelong, Western Bulldogs or Brisbane
Third round
4th Adam COCKIE to West Coast or Fremantle
5th Charlie SHARPLES to Richmond
6th Steven MOTLOP to Port Adelaide
7th Casey SIBOSADO to Brisbane
These boys may also find an AFL club today: Jamie Bennell, Michael Walters (Swan Districts), Roy Farmer (Tiwi Bombers), Alroy Gilligan (Claremont), Charlie McAdam (North Adelaide).
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Last Modified on 29/11/2008 02:02