ALTONA young gun Luke Goetz was selected by the Western Bulldogs with pick 29 in Friday’s AFL Rookie Draft.
Goetz, a promising 202cm ruckman, only appeared on the draft radar late into the 2015 season after the athletic junior moved from Altona in the Western Region Football League to the Western Jets in the TAC Cup.
He played in the last nine games for the Jets, amassing 91 hit outs and 20 tackles.
Western Jets regional manager Shane Sexton said the club and the Goetz family were thrilled to see Luke’s name light up in the Rookie Draft.
“It is a terrific story,” he said.
“Luke was playing for Altona in the under-18s mid-way through this year, just having a bit of fun and a couple of guys from the club saw him play.
“I was on long service leave at the time, so when I came back I went and watched a game versus Albion and I just saw some terrific potential.
“We invited him down and he played nine games of TAC Cup footy and now he has this terrific opportunity to play in the AFL.”
Sexton said Goetz, who was currently on a school trip in Cambodia, could develop into a key position player.
“He is a fantastic athlete and has good speed and endurance for 200cm player,” he said.
“He is a nice strong build and was probably our second best player, athletically, at the club.”
LUKE GOETZ HIGHLIGHTS
Goetz played just 10 games for the Vikings this year, was also a joint winner of Altona’s Under-18 Best and Fairest award.
Before Friday’s rookie draft, the 17-year-old took part in a Bulldogs pre-season training session, where he got a taste of what it is like to play AFL football.
The Western Bulldogs have described Goetz as a developing ruckman with excellent athleticism, highlighted by above average results in both speed and endurance testing.
They stated he had good hands in traffic and competes well.
The Western Bulldogs also selected Brad Lynch from the Swan Districts and Jed Adcock from Brisbane in the Rookie Draft.
Meanwhile, Calder Cannons duo Nick O'Kearny and Callum Moore found AFL homes.
O'Kearny was selected by St Kilda with pick 5 and Moore is headed to Richmond after the Tigers selected him with pick 12.
Tom Wallis was also drafted to Essendon after their father-son selection.
Last Modified on 27/11/2015 13:34