Burgo’s take: Beatson’s babes

Kinnear Beatson should be quietly proud.

The former Brisbane Lions recruiting manager is now with Sydney, as the club's player acquisition manager. But the respected talent identifier can look back with delight at the group of young cubs emerging in Queensland.

Beatson was instrumental in securing remaining premiership players such as Simon Black (No.31 – 1997 AFL Draft), Luke Power (No.5 – 1997 AFL Draft) and Daniel Bradshaw (No.56 – 1995 AFL Draft). He also played a significant hand in drafting the new wave of Lions.

Starting with the Lions in 1994, Beatson was responsible for the club's recruiting from 1997. Before him were respected recruiting managers Scott Clayton (now recruiting manager at the Western Bulldogs) and Shane O'Sullivan (now at Carlton).

The trio was significant in constructing a list that enabled the Lions to win a hat-trick of premierships.

The Lions and Beatson parted ways after the 2005 NAB AFL Draft, but his impact at the drafting table is unquestioned and it is again evident in the early stages of 2007.

It's fascinating to now review the players Beatson helped draft during the club’s Grand Final years of 2001-04.

Aside from the 2001 NAB AFL draft, when the Lions utilised just three draft selections and one of its picks was Jason Gram, who has since made his name at St Kilda, the draft picks from 2002-04 have been pivotal in the club's revival.

Jared Brennan and Daniel Merrett are the highlights from 2002, while Matthew Moody, Jed Adcock and Michael Rischitelli have proved to be excellent gains from 2003. In 2004, this week’s Rising Star nominee Cameron Wood and Justin Sherman were the standout selections.

These players are now crucial to the club's set-up.

Rischitelli (pick no.61 – 2003) has the football fraternity in raptures at the moment. His ball-winning ability is outstanding, as his clearance work.

He was chosen as a 17-year-old despite suffering osteitis pubis in 2003, after standing out at junior level for the Western Jets in their under 15 and 16s system.

Not long after Rischitelli arrived at the Lions, word was filtering from the camp that he was going to be a 200-game player. It was a bold prediction for a player selected with such a low pick, but not for those used to Beatson’s shrewd calls.

Adcock (No.33 – 2003) and Sherman (No.45 – 2004) were also claimed at bargain basement prices.

Beatson also used Adcock as an example to Draft Camp attendees about the Lion's will to make it at the highest level. Sherman possessed exceptional talent as a junior and he has since flourished in the Lions' environment.

Although the Swans are now Beatson's focus, he can be well satisfied from a personal point of view with his influence on the Lions' 2007 group.

THE BRISBANE LIONS AT THE NAB AFL DRAFT UNDER KINNEAR BEATSON
Note: These are the players still remaining on the Lions' list

1997
No.5 – Luke Power
No.31 – Simon Black
No.73 – Beau McDonald

1999
No.30 (Father/son) – Jonathan Brown

2000
No.13 – Ash McGrath
No.22 – Richard Hadley
No.29 – Jamie Charman

2002
No.3 – Jared Brennan
No.19 – Troy Selwood
No.30 – Daniel Merrett
No.44 – Anthony Corrie

2003
No.23 – Matthew Moody
No.33 – Jed Adcock
No.61 – Michael Rischitelli

2004
No.18 – Cameron Wood
No.27 – Pat Garner
No.45 – Justin Sherman

2005
No.9 – Mitchell Clark
No.25 – Wayde Mills
No.41 – Rhan Hooper
No.56 – Joel Patfull

Note: Robert Copeland, Joel Macdonald, Marcus Allan, Will Hamill and Scott Harding were also selected as rookies during this period