Aren’t we here for footy?
The clubs and their respective recruiting posses arrived early at the AIS on Wednesday morning and, after setting up camp in different corners of the indoor soccer field, tried to come up with novel ways to fill in the time.
The Brisbane Lions’ and West Coast contingents acclimatised to the crisp Canberra weather by soaking up some sun on the balcony while Victorian rivals Carlton and Geelong got the blood pumping with a friendly game of indoor soccer.
Hawks still ahead of the rest
The Hawthorn Football Club showed no signs of a premiership hangover with a full complement of recruiters led by player personnel and strategy general manager Chris Pelchen. Coach Alistair Clarkson was easily forgiven for being a late starter, but soon joined his troops on the lookout for another Cyril ‘Junior Boy’ Rioli to help guide the Hawks to back-to-back flags in 2009.
Déjà vu for D-Mac
Adelaide went one step further in its quest to unearth the best characters at the camp with coach Neil Craig and recruiting manager Matt Rendell once again employing the services of a young Crow to sit in and offer a player’s perspective on the club’s interviews.
Emerging midfielder David ‘D-Mac’ Mackay, who was a participant at the NAB AFL Draft Camp just two years ago, was the only current-day player (besides impressive new afl.com.au star Nathan Foley) present at proceedings on day one.
Stick to footy lads
They may be two of the hottest properties in Australian Football this year, but West Australian duo Nick Naitanui and Chris Yarran are yet to master the seemingly simple art of manoeuvring through a revolving door.
The talented pair managed to get themselves wedged in the electronically operated doors on the way out of the crowded mess hall on Wednesday night much to the amusement of the underage AIS-AFL scholarship holders waiting for their dinner nearby.
Watts socks are those, Jack?
Jack Watts pledged his allegiance to Brighton Grammar on Wednesday, vowing to complete his VCE Studies at the prestigious Victorian college regardless of which club he’s drafted by in November. The charismatic teenager demonstrated his school pride by wearing knee-high Brighton socks for the fitness and psychomotor testing during the day.
The legend of ‘Choco’ lives on
Port Adelaide boss Mark Williams hadn’t even arrived at the AIS on Wednesday when word of his renowned interviewing technique began to spread. One potential top-10 draftee revealed he’d been forewarned of Choco’s trademark style ahead of his scheduled interview with the Power on Wednesday night.
Dogfight brewing for Ayce in the pack
The Western Bulldogs should prepare to sacrifice an early pick in the November 29 draft if the club is keen to secure the services of 202cm ruckman Ayce Cordy at the father-son selection meeting on Monday. Cordy, 18, attracted plenty of attention from rival clubs on Wednesday which, courtesy of the revamped father-son bidding system, means the Doggies will more than likely have to give up a second or even first-round pick to claim the talented big man.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.
