Defenders Matthew Quinton and Adam Woodhams will be back at the Knights for the 2008 season as 19 year olds. AFL Victoria have approved a submission from the Northern Knights to allow the pair to have one extra season in the TAC Cup under the "19 year old" rule where a TAC Cup club can submit to include as many as three 19 year old players on their list.
The purpose of this rule is to cater for players who may be late developers with the idea being that they can become legitimate draft chances by the end of their extra season in the TAC Cup. Players that AFL Victoria consider applications for under this rule have had an interrupted TAC Cup career either by injury or school football commitments. In the case of both Quinton and Woodhams they have suffered injuries that have kept them out of the Knights team at various stages throughout their two years in the TAC Cup.
Quinton is a big bodied defender with good speed off the mark who played 15 games at full back last year (after only two games in 2006). His good form late in the season earned him a late call up to the Victorian State Screening prior to the AFL Draft, but he was not selected in either the National or Rookie Drafts.
Woodhams is a fearless half back flanker/wingman who puts his body on the line time and time again. He was in fine form in the first 11 games of 2007 (after also playing only two games in 2006) before an ankle injury ended his season. His dedication and drive to get back into the finals team fell a little bit short but he was still awarded the Coaches Award at the end of season Presentation Night.
The experience and leadership that these boys bring to the playing group will be invaluable in 2008 and we look forward to having them on at the Knights for one more year.
Last Modified on 30/06/2008 14:47