Don't expect too much from them, warn clubs
AFL COACHES have asked their fans not to expect their new draftees to have an immediate impact in their fist year.
The warning comes after nine of last year's top 10 draft selections all played senior football.
Fremantle's Rhys Palmer, 2008's Rising Star winner, and Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli, a premiership player in just his 25th game, to highlight just two from last year's crop, have proved themselves long-term players.
Fremantle coach Mark Harvey, whose club picked up Stephen Hill at number three on Saturday, said the key to a successful career was coaches and players having a long-term view, regardless of draft selection.
Despite a need for players like Hill to step up and fill the breach after a rash of retirements this season, Harvey won't be rushed.
"You look to not just what the player can do next year, but hopefully for a long career," Harvey said.
"(Hill is) probably not as advanced in his body as Rhys was, it remains to be seen. But we've got three months to work on him, and we'll see what happens."
Melbourne, which finished at the foot of the AFL ladder this season, and which had the first pick and also selected WA pair Jamie Bennell and Neville Jetta on Saturday, have massive gaps to fill in age and experience. Their rebuild starts now.
"We certainly won't be fast-tracking them, but if their bodies can cope with the training, if they develop quick enough … the opportunity's there for them," Demons coach Dean Bailey said.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Monday, December 1, 2008
Last Modified on 01/12/2008 13:28