Night one of the AFL national draft saw another two former Gippsland League junior stars join the games highest level. The AFL national draft kicked off last night with the first round of picks being selected with many young Gippsland players hoping to hear their name called. Warragul’s Caleb Serong and Moe’s Sam Flanders joined 2019 mid-season draftee Sale’s Kyle Dunkley as the newest Gippsland League players in the AFL after being both picked up in the first 11 selections for 2019.
Above: Serong (left) and Flanders (right) have featured in many representative sides together over the years
Serong joins a strong recent history of draftees from the West Gippsland area and joins fellow Warragul alumni Harry and Ben McKay currently in the AFL after being drafted with pick 8 by the Fremantle Dockers. Serong played for the Guls from 2015 to 2017 after his junior football was predominately played in the Warragul District JFL. During that time, he featured in 20 Under 16’s games and played 10 senior games, including the 2016 elimination final where under coach Steve Kidd the Guls returned to finals football after an eight-year absence from September.
Above: Serong with Dockers coach Justin Longmuir on draft night
Flanders was highly tipped to go inside the top 5 and the Gold Coast Suns swooped on the opportunity to nab Flanders after he slid outside the top 10. The Suns gave up picks No.17 and 22 and sent those selections to Carlton, in exchange for picks No.11 and 62. The Suns immediately used their new pick 11 to draft Flanders.
Above: Flanders was drafted by the Suns with pick 11
Hailing from Fish Creek after playing his junior football at Corner Inlet Flanders made the switch to Gippsland League club Moe in 2017. Flanders became a vital part Moe’s 2017 premiers and champions Under 16s side which also included fellow draft hopefuls Brock Smith, Riley Baldi, Harrison Pepper and Leo Connolly. The Lions side would be one of the most dominate in the competition’s history finishing the season as premiers and champions with a percentage of 825% after only conceding 263 points for the entire 18 game season.
Above: Best on Ground and a premiership as Flanders led the 2017 Lions in an undefeated season
Flanders kicked 38 goals from his 8 games that season while balancing Gippsland Power commitments including 9 goals against Maffra in Round 16. Flanders was named best on ground in the 2017 Grand Final kicking 4 goals from the midfield in his sides 31-point win.
Above: Flanders kicks one of his four goals in the 2017 Under 16's Grand Final
Night two is looking to bring more Gippsland League stars into the fold with Moe's Brock Smith highly touted to be picked up along with Sale’s Charlie Comben. Other chances over the remaining picks and rookie drafts include Moe’s Riley Baldi & Leo Connolly, Warragul’s Fraser Phillips and former Moe junior and currently registered Morwell player Harry Pepper also a chance. Pepper is eligible for the Next Generation Academy with Hawthorn which has also seen fellow former Morwell Gippy League player Changkuoth Jiath being drafted and making his AFL debut with the Hawks.
Above: Fellow Moe players Brock Smith (centre) and Leo Connolly (right) will be hoping to join Flanders on an AFL list for 2020
Last Modified on 28/11/2019 11:14