CLUBS targeting a ruckman in next week's drafts could turn to American Alex Aurrichio after his impressive debut season in the VFL, AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan says.
Aurrichio, a college soccer player and baseballer, was not deterred after being overlooked by AFL clubs following the 2014 US draft combine, flying to Melbourne last November to pursue his dream of becoming a professional sportsman.
After training with VFL clubs including Collingwood, Coburg and Sandringham during the 2015 pre-season, Aurrichio won a contract with the Northern Blues in late January.
As big a stepping stone as this was for the New Yorker, it also put an extra hurdle in the way of his push for an AFL career, given playing in the VFL meant he could no longer be recruited as an international rookie (category B).
But Sheehan told AFL.com.au Aurrichio had shown enough this year in 11 senior VFL games to be a chance of selection in next week's rookie draft.
Playing as a ruckman, the 25-year-old averaged 27 hit-outs, nearly seven tackles and 5.2 possessions a game for the Northern Blues.
At 199cm and 107kg, he proved hard to budge at around-the-ground ruck contests, while his tap work got better and better as the season progressed.
"His improvement was rapid from starting the year in the (VFL) development league (where he played seven games) to playing some very good VFL footy," Sheehan said.
"He's 199cm so he's fits into that category of guys who are big enough to play in the ruck in the AFL and the key point is that at this year's AFL Draft Combine we had just the four ruckmen.
"We just haven't got a lot of guys at that size around the competition, so that at least gives him a chance (of being drafted).
"For a big-bodied guy he's quite mobile and agile, he competes hard and he tackles ferociously. He provides great presence around the footy with the way he plays.
Alex Aurrichio (centre) has put in plenty of work in the gym this year. Picture: AFL Media
"In talking to the Northern Blues he's also one of the most popular guys in the club. He's the hardest worker, he takes the no-stone-left-unturned approach to getting the best out of himself."
Sheehan said that after just one season playing Australian Football Aurrichio had vast room for improvement and in time could transform himself into a key defender.
"He's been playing in probably the best state league in Australia, holding his own against many AFL-listed players (including Mark Jamar and Majak Daw) and he's still new in the game – he's got tremendous upside," Sheehan said.
"His thirst for knowledge, his thirst to improve, is fantastic.
"I'd expect that he can play some excellent footy again next year and he'll be hoping that by putting his name forward for the draft he'll be one that the clubs have to consider."
Aurrichio told AFL.com.au being drafted would vindicate the sacrifices he has made in the past two years, but said he would look at it as the beginning rather than the end of his journey.
"It would really mean a lot if I can get an opportunity and prove everyone wrong," Aurrichio said.
"I still don't think a lot of people think it's doable. I'm just determined to go out there and do it for myself, and to prove everyone wrong would be outstanding."
And if his name is not called out next week, Aurrichio, who last month returned from a five-week break in the US, is not about to give up on his AFL dream.
"I'll just keep working and being relentless at it," he said.
"I've had a lot of nos so far, so (being overlooked in the draft) wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary.
"If it was easy everyone would do it. I'm just going to keep going full bore at it.
"I've still got a long way to go and in terms of my own game I feel I've only reached the tip of the iceberg so far."
