West Perth winger goes top five in AFL national draft
STEPHEN HILL won't have to move far to realise his AFL dream after Fremantle this morning snared the West Perth product with their first pick at the AFL national draft in Melbourne.
But fellow Western Australian Chris Yarran will need to move across the country after Carlton used their first pick to nab the exciting Swan Districts youngster.
The pair were the draft 'bolters', leading a pack of eight Aboriginal lads selected by six AFL clubs today.
The damaging left-footer Hill played for the Falcons' Colts and league sides this year and was All-Australian at the national under-18 championships. His selection today caps off an outstanding year.
Yarran played league footy for Swans this year and featured prominently in their first-half surge in the WAFL Grand Final against eventual premiers, Subiaco. He was Carlton's first pick and sixth overall today.
Son-of-a-gun Liam Jones was the first Tasmanian chosen today, landing at the Western Bulldogs with their second round third pick (32nd overall).
Swan Districts pair Jamie Bennell and Neville Jetta are Melbourne-bound with the Dees grabbing first Bennell as their fourth selection in the third round (35th overall), then Jetta, cousin of Essendon's Leroy Jetta, with their fifth pick in the fourth round (51st overall).
Steven Motlop was a surprise Geelong selection, going in the third round as the Cats' third pick (39th overall).
The Dockers also snared exciting Swan Districts half-forward Michael Walters with their fifth selection (53rd overall). Walters was a Swans Colts premiership player this year and represented WA at the under-16 national championships.
And North Melbourne used their last pick, their fifth, on Claremont's Warren Benjamin, brother of former Blue, Clinton, in round five (71st overall).
Today's AFL national draft selections:
1. 3rd Stephen HILL (West Perth) to Fremantle
2. 6th Chris YARRAN (Swan Districts) to Carlton
3. 32nd Liam JONES (Tassie Mariners) to Western Bulldogs
4. 35th Jamie BENNELL (Swan Districts) to Melbourne
5. 39th Steven MOTLOP (Wanderers) to Geelong
6. 51st Neville JETTA (Swan Districts) to Melbourne
7. 53rd Michael WALTERS (Swan Districts) to Fremantle
8. 71st Warren BENJAMIN (Claremont) North Melbourne
Today's selections brings to 71 the number of Indigenous players in the AFL, two less than the total last season, with next month's pre-season and rookie drafts still to come.
* See the link above AFL > Current Players for the up-to-date list.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Last Modified on 01/12/2008 12:41