Wanganeen relying on talent, not name, at draft

WHEN people meet Port Lincoln teenager Derick Wanganeen for the first time there’s always one question they’re dying to ask…‘are you related to Gavin?’

For the record the answer is yes, but only distantly.

In fact, the pair has never met.

Wanganeen, 18, also has family ties to dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes; Sydney Swans’ games record holder Michael O’Loughlin and Adelaide defender Graham Johncock.

But it’s his famous surname that’s brought the South Australian draft hopeful the most attention.
 
“Gavin and I are related somewhere down the track. I don’t know where. It’s hard to keep track of… my dad knows,” Wanganeen told afl.com.au.

“I’ve seen Gavin around a few times, but he probably wouldn’t know who I am.”

Wanganeen, who plays for the same SANFL club as his Brownlow Medal-winning namesake, the Port Adelaide Magpies, is hoping to track further in Gavin’s footsteps by being picked up in the NAB AFL Draft this month.

The lightly-framed wingman relocated to Adelaide at the start of the year to pursue his dream of having an AFL career.

He kicked 12 goals in 16 games with the Magpies’ U18s and was selected to represent South Australia in the U18 National Championships.

Wanganeen starred in the Croweaters’ win over Vic Country at AAMI Stadium, but struggled for consistency as his mind drifted to his mother’s ill health.

“My season was up and down. I started the season off slowly, but by the time the U18 championships came around I was going pretty well,” he said.

“Halfway through the championships my mum, who was back in Port Lincoln, got sick and not long after the champs she passed away. I started playing ordinary footy because I was missing my family and being back home at a pretty tough time.”

Wanganeen flew back to Port Lincoln for his mother’s funeral, but was able to return to Adelaide to finish the season with the Magpies.

He was invited to attend October’s NAB AFL Draft Camp but opted to stay in SA to prepare for the U18s grand final against Glenelg.

Wanganeen was the equal-shortest player (172cm) to be invited to the draft camp and hails from the famous football breeding ground of Mallee Park.

North Melbourne duo Daniel Wells and Lindsay Thomas, Carlton livewire Eddie Betts, Johncock, North Smith Medallist Byron Pickett and Wanganeen’s idol and new Hawthorn recruit, Shaun Burgoyne, all played junior footy for the Peckers.

Wanganeen said the success of such players had provided him with motivation for his own career.

“I grew up watching Lindsay and Graham play. I remember wanting to be like them,” he said.

“All those boys come from the same town and the same club as me and it made me think, if they can do it, well so can I.”

Wanganeen has been touted as a prospective second or third-round pick in the November 26 draft and has already been interviewed by North Melbourne and West Coast.

He said he was willing to move anywhere for an opportunity to play AFL football.

“I hope it happens for me. It’s out of my hands, but getting drafted has been my dream since I was a little kid.”