By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
JUST a few days out from the 2015 AFL Draft and several local rising stars are hoping they’ve done enough to earn a prized spot on an AFL list.
The Western Jets have a trio of youngsters that could potentially receive a call-up.
“Lachlan Knight, Mitch Norton and Luke Goetz would be chances for the draft or rookie draft,” Jets’ regional manager Shane Sexton said.
“We are hopeful a couple of the boys might get picked.”
Lachlan Knight was rewarded for his good season, when he won the Western Jets’ best and fairest award.
The 186cm midfielder played 23 games in the TAC Cup. He also had some game time with Williamstown’s VFL development team and also played in a Division 2 WRFL senior game in 2015.
Mitch Norton had a good year, finishing behind Knight in the Jets’ best and fairest count.
The young gun played 37 games over three seasons with the Western Jets and also managed to play three games in Williamstown’s development team, which included a qualifying final.
Both Knight and Norton have signed on to play with the defending premiers, Williamstown, in the VFL in 2016.
Luke Goetz, a promising 202cm ruckman, appeared on the draft radar in the middle of the season after the talented player made the move to the TAC Cup from Altona in the WRFL.
Goetz, who was a joint winner of Altona’s Under-18 best and fairest award, was also granted permission to train with the Western Bulldogs and had a session with them this week.
Last year the Western Jets had five players get their names called on Draft night.
The crop of talent included Liam Duggan (West Coast, pick 11), Corey Ellis (Richmond, pick 12), Jayden Laverde (Essendon, pick 20), Dillon Viojo-Rainbow (Carlton, pick 28) and Connor Menadue (Richmond, pick 33). Brenton Payne was also selected by the Saints in the rookie draft.
Meanwhile, a handful of Calder Cannon stars are also optimistic of getting picked in Tuesday’s draft or next Thursday’s rookie draft.
Callum Moore, Nicholas O’Kearny, Hisham Kerbatieh and Tom Wallis, the son of former Essendon player Dean, are all a chance to be picked.
“We can never be sure who will get drafted, but we have good mix this year,” Calder Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte said.
“It doesn’t matter if you get drafted or rookie listed these days, clubs treat all players the same.”
VFL players Andrew Gallucci and Jake Wilson have also been touted as potential mature age draftees.
Gallucci, a former Calder Cannon, kicked three goals in Williamstown’s grand final win against Box Hill in September.
The former Flemington Junior, was invited to the Victorian combine, winning the beep test with a 14.1 effort.
Wilson, who has had stints at Altona and Spotswood, has been involved with Werribee in the VFL in 2015.
The talented defender has become one of the league’s most consistent players.
He also won the 30m sprint in a time of 25.16 at this year’s state combine.
The AFL Draft is on November 24 and the Rookie Draft is on November 27.
Last Modified on 20/11/2015 09:36