When the first 'action' events (the sprint, agility and vertical jump) took place in the basketball courts during the morning, the room quickly developed a fascinating dynamic. Coaches, assistants, football managers, recruiters and other staff were all dispersed around the room – and often mingling with rival club personnel. It made for great people watching, trying to work out who knows who throughout the industry.
Remember the days at the Dees?
Three in particular who enjoyed a catch up in the basketball courts were ex-Melbourne officials – Carlton Brett Ratten, Richmond football manager Craig Cameron and Hawthorn head of coaching and development Chris Fagan. The trio engaged in dialogue for quite some time. Ratten was a midfield coach at the Dees, Fagan an assistant coach to Neale Daniher, and Cameron was the former recruiting manager.
The Apple Isle sticks together
It's also interesting watching the relationships between the players. Many have formed friendships through state-team or national representation. But quite often, local teammates stick together too. Not surprisingly, the three Tasmanians at the camp – Ryan Harwood, Jesse Crichton and Marcus Davies – all sat and stretched together upon completion of their tests in the courts.
Taking in the moment
Northern Territory is a fair hike from the epicentre of Australian Rules, so it's a great opportunity for the top-end group to make the most from this camp. For St Mary's Deon Gordon, a 185cm medium defender, he was not only relishing the occasion of being among the country's most elite emerging footballers, he captured the moment. He was seen taking pictures during some down time in the basketball court of fellow attendees.
Now we're down to business
At the completion of the fitness assessments, clubs got down to business. From 11am to 12pm, clubs interviewed players in the basketball courts. Fourteen of the 16 AFL clubs were in the room – many not far from each other. But two clubs, Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs, opted to speak to their prospective draftees away from the courts, setting up camp outside of the basketball stadium.
Getting bigger all the time
Ten seasons ago St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt was the name on everyone's lips at the draft camp. Teammate Justin Koschitzke and Collingwood's Alan Didak were a smidge behind. But the media scrutiny they received, compared with today, was minimal. When Tom Scully, Anthony Morabito and Kane Lucas fronted the media at an arranged media conference, there were at least 25 journalists and camera crew hovering.
Weren't you drafted two years ago?
Adelaide's recent tradition of bringing up a young player with its recruiting/football staff has continued. In recent years, Nathan van Berlo, Jason Porplyzia and David Mackay have come to Canberra, offering their thoughts to youngsters, assisting the club hierarchy and learning about the recruiting fraternity. This year Patrick Dangerfield – an impressive young man – has returned to the place he shone at in 2007.
The Fev news breaks
Don't for a minute think because news of Brendan Fevola being put up for trade by Carlton meant the club hierarchy could go into hiding in the nation's capital. The news quickly became the talk of the afternoon at the Australian Institute of Sport, with most clubs playing a straight bat in answer to questions about the 2009 Coleman Medallist.
Trade week ante set to be upped
With Fevola adding to a host of trade names such as Shaun Burgoyne and Barry Hall, next week's exchange period looks set to be a busy one. Last year just six players were traded, but the wide-spread talk among the recruiting fraternity is that at least 20 players will shift clubs. Although the normal argy-bargy will occur between clubs, they also realise deals must get done this year – as the prospect of free agency is a worry for some.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
