New Faces For 2009

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The preseason draft was held on December 16, 2008. It represented the last chance for players to enter or re-enter AFL ranks for 2009. The biggest story of the day was former Eagle Ben Cousins being picked up by the Richmond Tigers. Players and fans welcomed him with open arms and Cousins promised to repay their faith. He told a massive throng of reporters that he was clean and that his drug rehabilitation was progressing well. He also said he was confident that he could stay clean and could contribute both on and off the field. He did admit he still had a long way to go and that being in the public spotlight was a risk and a challenge but he sure he can handle it.

Former Melbourne Demons Jeff White and Adem Yze and former Swan Nick Davis all missed out on selection.

Ahead of the preseason draft, held on December 16, 2008, clubs were required to submit their nominations for AFL Scholarship players (added to rookie lists), nominations of international players, and players who had not registered for three years. The deadline for those nominations was December 2, 2008. The nominations were as follows:

NSW Scholarship Listed Players: Scott Reed (COL), Ranga Ediriwickrama (GEEL), William Sierakowski (HAW), Blake McGrath (STK), Christopher Ogle (WB)

International Players:
Adelaide - Brian Donnelly (Louth, Ireland)
Essendon - Michael Quinn (Longford, Ireland)
North Melbourne - Connor Meredith (Laois, Ireland)
Sydney - Kyle Coney (Tyrone, Ireland), Michael Pyke (Canada)

Three-year Non-Registered Player: Lachlan Keefe (COL)

Clubs were also required to submit their final lists and Total Player Payment (TPP) estimates by December 9, 2008 and delisted players had until December 9 to submit their names for the preseason draft.

A number of unlisted players were invited to train with clubs in the hope of being selected at the preseason draft:

Adelaide - Ricky Henderson (Trentham)

Brisbane Lions - Daniel Dzufer (Brisbane Lions), Phillip Smith (Brisbane Lions), Adam Spackman (Brisbane Lions rookie), Joel Tippett (Brisbane Lions)

Carlton - Greg Bentley (Port Adelaide), Lachie Hill (Carlton Rookie List), Sam Jacobs (Carlton Rookie List), Darren Pfeiffer (Carlton), Chris Johnson (Melbourne)

Collingwood - Bryce Carroll (Western Jets), Michael Gugliotta (Northern Territory), Toby Thoolen (Collingwood)

Essendon - Stuart Crameri (Bendigo Bombers), Hayden Skipworth (Bendigo Bombers)

Fremantle - Chris Smith (Fremantle)

Geelong - nil

Hawthorn - Nathan Batsanis (Box Hill Hawks), Jeff Garlett (Swan Districts), Kane Goodwin (Perth), Alex Grima (Hawthorn), Haydn Kiel (Brisbane Lions), Ben Kennedy (Sandringham Dragons), Lukas Markovic (Box Hill Hawks), Riley Milne (Murray Bushrangers), Gary Moss (Hawthorn), Cameron Pederson (Box Hill Hawks), Hugh Sandilands (Hawthorn), Ben Smithwick (Box Hill Hawks), Matthew Suckling (Hawthorn), Rhys O'Sullivan (Box Hill Hawks), Clancee Pearce (Swan Districts), Charlie Sharples (Sturt), Thomas Warby (Box Hill Hawks)

Melbourne - Tristan Francis (Gippsland Power), Daniel Hughes (Melbourne rookie 2007), Jordie McKenzie (Geelong Falcons), Sam O'Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers), Dylan Ross (Claremont), Shane Tregear (Sandringham), Marcus White (Calder Cannons)

North Melbourne - Alan Obst (North Melbourne)

Port Adelaide - Kory Beard (Port Adelaide Magpies), Daniel Caire (West Adelaide), Josh Carr (Fremantle), Tom Holmes (Glenelg), Gavin Hughes (Western Bulldogs), Andrew Lee (Essendon), Charlie McAdam (North Adelaide), Matthew Martin (West Adelaide), Danny Meyer (Richmond), Brayden O’Hara (Central District), Chris Schmidt (Brisbane Lions), Ben Speight (Norwood), Daniel Stewart (North Adelaide), Wade Thompson (North Adelaide)

Richmond - Andrew Browne (Murray Bushrangers), David Gourdis (Richmond), Kade Klemke (Murray Bushrangers), Nick Liddle (Coburg), Patrick Nicholls (St Bedes), Matt Suckling (Sandringham Dragons), Justin Van Unen (Oakleigh Chargers), Bryn Weadon (North Ballarat)

St Kilda - Steven Gaertner (Dandenong Stingrays), Brad Howard (St Kilda), Sam Iles (Collingwood), Halen Kay (Gippsland Power), Luke Stanton (Northern Knights), Tommy Walsh (County Kerry, Ireland)

Sydney - Aaron Bruce (Sydney Swans), Peter Faulks (Sydney Swans), Kristin Thornton (Sydney Swans)

West Coast - nil

Western Bulldogs - Liam Picken (Williamstown)

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release & Melbourne Age

THE PRESEASON AND ROOKIE DRAFTS - CLUB BY CLUB

ADELAIDE
Ricky Henderson, 190 cm (6'2"), 82 kg (180 lbs): Athletic and talented midfielder with good skills.

Chris Schmidt (Brisbane, West Adelaide), 18, 189cm (6'2"), 85 (187 lbs): Midfielder/defender drafted by Brisbane in 2006, but played just two games, both in 2007.

Brian Donnelly, County Louth, Ireland: defender who has already shown good improvement since arriving at the club

Source: afc.com.au

BRISBANE
Pre-season Draft
Tom Rockliff, Murray Bushrangers, 184cm (6'), 83 kg (182): small forward who can also play in the midfield. Led the TAC Cup goalkicking and was named Murray's best and fairest.

Rookie Draft
Daniel Murray, East Perth, 201cm (6'6"), 98 kg (215): athletic ruckman.
WA, ruckman, May 3, 1990, 199.4cm, 98kg

Adam Spackman, Morningside, QLD, 184cm (6'), 80kg (176): midfielder/defender who represented Queensland at the national tournament and looked impressive.

Joel Tippett, QLD, 198cm (6"5'): Athletic with a basketball background.

Source: lions.com.au

CARLTON
Preseason Draft
Chris Johnson (Melbourne), 188cm (6'1"), 87kg (191): Drafted by the Demons in 2005 and played 31 games

Rookie Draft
Jefferey Garlett, Swans Districts,187 (6'1"), 67kg ((147): small quick forward who can also play in the midfield. Has ability to apply defensive pressure in the forward line and tested well in the sprint and agility tests at state screening.

Luke Stanton, Northern Knights, 192cm (6'3"), 84kg (185): Athletic, good endurance, ballwinner who can read the play well. 2007 AIS-AFL Academy graduate and represented Vic Metro at the Under-18 tournament.

Greg Bentley (Port Adelaide): 187cm (6'1"), 87kg (191): debuted with the Power in 2006 but played just 21 games in three years. Midfielder/defender.

Lachie Hill, Scotch College and Oakleigh Chargers, 190cm (6'2'), 83kg (182): Vic Metro representative who impressed at the draft camp for speed, agility, vertical jump and running vertical jump.

Sam Jacobs, Woodville-West Torrens, 200cm (6'5"), 100kg (220): developing ruckman who played senior football in the SANFL and represented SA at the Under-18 tournament.

Darren Pfeiffer Adelaide), 183cm (6'), 81kg (178): drafted by the Crows in 2005, but did not play a senior game due partly to injury setbacks. Delisted at the end of 2007 and picked up by Carlton in 2008 but again failed to play a senior game. Delisted by the Blues at the end of 2008 but has a second chance now on the rookie list.

Source: carltonfc.com.au

COLLINGWOOD
Tristan Francis, Gippsland Power, 181cm (5'9"), 77kg (169): speedy and skilled midfielder who can play forward and defense.

Jaryd Blair, Gippsland, 172cm ((5'6"), 70kg (154): small midfielder who can push forward to kick goals. Will need time in the gym to buld his light frame.

John Bennell, Peel Thunder (WAFL), 174cm (5'7"), 71kg (156): small forward/midfielder with excellent evasive skills and great leap for a player of his size. Can also play in defense,

Toby Thoolen, Collingwood, 196cm (6'4"), 94kg (206): ruckman capable of playing in defense and forward. Drafted in 2007 but did not play any senior games. Gets a second chance on the rookie list.

Lachlan Keefe, 3rd year non-registered rookie, 204cm (6'7"), 87kg (191): athletic developing ruckman.

Scott Reed, NSW Scholarship, 192cm (6'3"), 80kg (176): project player who will need time to develop.

Source: collingwoodfc.com.au

ESSENDON
Preseason Draft
Hayden Skipworth, Bendigo Bombers and Adelaide Crows, 177cm (5'8"), 75kg (165): originally drafted by Adelaide in 2000, then delisted after two seasons and redrafted to the rookie list for the 2003 season. Played 44 games before being delisted again at the end of 2006.

Rookie Draft
Christian Bock, Woodville-West Torrens, 204cm (6'6"), 81kg (178): competitive ruckman who will need time to develop. Good mobility for his size. Brother to Adelaide's Nathan.

Bryce Carroll, Western Jets, 184cm (6'), 72kg 159): quick forward who reads the play well and has good ball skills by hand and foot, is strong in the air and can play on a wing or in defense.

Thomas German, Calder Cannons, 178cm (5'8"), 77kg (169): quick and skilled midfielder who has been compared to Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell. Nephew of former Kangaroo player and former Docker assistant coach Peter German.

Kade Klemke, Murray Bushrangers, 180cm (5'9"), 77kg (169): defender/midfielder who reads the play well. Represented NSW/ACT at U-18 tournament and was named All-Australian.

Michael Quinn, Longford, Ireland, 184cm (6'), 78kg (171): athletic, but will need plenty of work on kicking and tackling skills.

Source: bombersfc.com.au

FREMANTLE
Casey Sibosado, Oakleigh Chargers, 192cm (6'3"), 85 kg (187): Forward who can also play midfield.

Matt DeBoer, Claremont, WA, 186cm (6'1"), 83KG (182): Midfielder/wingman with good ballwinning skills. Was vice-captain of WA team at U-18's and won All-Australian selection.

Hamish Shepheard, East Perth, WA, 193cm (6'3'), 81KG (178): Tall, mobile defender/forward.

Clancee Pearce, Swan Districts, 182cm (5'11"), 90kg (198): defender who impressed at the U-18 tournament. Was named captain of the WAFL Colts Team of the Year.

Jay van Berlo, West Perth, 185cm (6'), 77kg (169): athletic defender/midfielder with good speed. Brother of Adelaide's Nathan

Greg Broughton, Subiaco, WA, 184 cm (6'), 86kg (189): defender with a great leap and won Subiaco's best and fairest award this year. Trained with the Dockers last year but did not get selected at the time.

Source: fremantlefc.com.au

GEELONG
Tom Allwright, Tasmanian Devils, 187cm (6'1"), 86kg (189): strong midfielder who played senior football with North Hobart. Played in TFL grand final with North Hobart and represented Tasmania at U-18's.

Ranga Ediriwickrama, Pennant Hills, NSW, 179cm (5'9"), 71kg (156): began training with the Cats under the AFL Scholarship plan. Midfielder who captained NSW at U-18's, was named All-Australian and was a member of Pennant Hills premiership team.

Adam Varcoe, Central Districts, 180cm (5'9"), 64kg (141): joins his brother Travis at the Cats as a medium sized forward, but is still recovering from a knee reconstruction.

Bryn Weadon, North Ballarat, 185cm (6'), 91kg (200): Ballwinning running defender with a thumping kick. Can also play midfield. Played VFL reserves in 2008.

Source: gfc.com.au

HAWTHORN
Luke Breust, Temora, NSW, 181cm (5'9"), 84kg (185): speedy wingman/forward who represented NSW at the U-18's.

Haydn Kiel, Brisbane Lions, 180cm (5'9"), 84kg (185): midfielder who can also play in defense. Spent two years on Brisbane's rookie list but did not play any senior games except in the preseason.

Riley Milne, Murray Bushrangers, 193cm (6'3"), 78kg (171): running defender with a good kick. Is Athletic but will need time in the gym to build up his lean frame. Represented Vic Country at U-18's.

Garry Moss, 179cm (5'9"), 74kg (163): well-balanced midfielder with good skills. Drafted by the Hawks in 2006 but played just one game in 2007 before being sidelined late in the year with a hip injury which kept him out for most of 2008 as well.

Carl Peterson, Richmond, 188cm (6'1"), 80kg (176): forward drafted by the Tigers in 2006, but never played a senior game due a groin injury which sidelined him for most of 2007. Was delisted at the end of 2007 and returned to WA for personal reasons.

Will Sierakowski, North Shore, NSW, 188cm (6'1"), 79kg (174): medium defender/forward who joins the club under the AFL Scholarship plan. His uncle Brian played for St. Kilda and his cousin David played for the Saints and West Coast.

Matthew Suckling, Hawthorn, 186cm (6'1"), 80kg (176):defender who had to be delisted and redrafted to the rookie list under AFL Rules.

Source: hawthornfc.com.au

MELBOURNE
Preseason Draft
Liam Jurrah, Alice Springs, 188cm (6'1'), 78kg (171): tall, athletic forward

Rooke Draft
Jordie McKenzie, Geelong Falcons, 186cm (6'1"), 71kg (156): mdifielder with good endurance.

Rhys Healey, Bendigo, 186 cm (6'1"), 78kg (171): midfielder who wins the ball well and can kick goals. Has speed and endurance as well.

Daniel Hughes, Melbourne Rookie List 2007, 186cm (6'1"), 82kg (180): defender/forward who played for Sandringham in the VFL in 2008 as he recovered from hip surgery.

Source: melbournefc.com.au

NORTH MELBOURNE
Marcus White, Calder Cannons: captained Calder until sidelined with a broken leg early in the season.

Luke Delaney, Geelong Falcons, ruckman who can play forward and defense.

Benjamin Speight, Norwood, midfielder

Alan Obst, North Melbourne rookie list, 192cm (6'2"), 89kg (196): defender who spent 2008 on the rookie list and managed three senior games.

Conor Meredith, County Laois, Ireland, 186cm (6'1"), 84kg (185): can play forward, defense or midfield. Already shows some skill in kicking the ball.

Source: kangaroos.com.au

PORT ADELAIDE
Josh Carr, Fremantle, 179cm 5'9"), 80kg (176): tough as they come midfielder who played 105 games with Port 2000-04 before joining brother Matt at Fremantle where he played 83 games before being delisted at the end of 2008.

Wade Thompson, North Adelaide, 174cm (5'7"), 84kg (185): speedy small forward who can put plenty of pressure on opposition defenders. Played some senior football with North Adelaide in 2008.

Danny Meyer, Richmond, 183cm (6'), 76kg (167): midfielder drafted by the Tigers in 2004. He played 17 games total but managed just three games in the past two years due to a bad run of injuries. Can also play midfield or defense.

Daniel Stewart, North Adelaide, 200cm 6'5"), 92kg (202): ruckman who can also play forward. Excellent endurance and good ball skills. Played some senior football with North Adelaide this past season.

Matthew Martin, West Adelaide, 191cm (6'2"), 99kg (218): good speed for his size and uses the ball well by hand or foot. Can play defense or forward and played some senior games with West Adelaide as well as representing SA at the U-18's

Jesse Laurie, Claremont, 184cm (6'), 90kg (198): defender/midfielder with excellent endurance and reads the play very well. Represented WA at U-18s and beat the AFL draft camp players' agility time at a state screening.

Source: portadelaidefc.com.au

RICHMOND
Preseason Draft:
Ben Cousins, West Coast Eagles, 179cm (5'9"), 87kg (191): at his best, he is a dangerous and damaging midfielder who can kick goals. Won plenty of honors before his fall from grace and deregistration by the AFL.

Robin Nahas, Port Melbourne, 176cm (5'8"), 67kg (147): forward with very good defensive skills. Played in the VFL state team against SA in 2008.

David Gourdis, Richmond, 193cm 6'3"), 89kg (196): originally drafted in the 2007 Preseason draft but did not play any senior games in 2008. Tall foward.with a good burst of speed. Delisted by the Tigers to be added to the rookie list.

Andrew Browne, Murray Bushrangers, 205cm (6'7"), 105kg (231): skilled ruckman who represented Vic Country at the U-18's.

Alroy Gilligan, Claremont, 177cm (5'8"), 72kg (159): midfielder forward

Source: richmondfc.com.au

ST KILDA
Zac Dawson, Hawthorn, 195cm (6'4"), 95kg (209): tall defender who played just 14 games with the Hawks since 2005. The Saints see him as a potential replacement for veteran defender Max Hudghton.

Tom Simpkin, Geelong Falcons, 191cm 6'2"), 83kg (182): versatile defender who can also play on a wing. Represented Vic Country at the U-18's.

Brad Howard, St. Kilda, 182cm (5'11"), 80kg (176): speedy midfielder originally drafted in 2006 and played two games in 2007. Delisted from the seniors to be added tot he rookie list.

Steven Gaertner, Dandenong, 199cm (6'5"), 87kg (191): tall defender who will need time to better develop his skills.

Ross Tungutulum, Northern Territory, small quick forward.

Sam McGarry, Sandringham Dragons, VFL, 186cm (6'1"), 77kg (169): midfielder who can run all day.

Blake McGrath, NSW, 208cm (6'8"), 208kg (187): another player picked up under the AFL Scholarship. Will need time to develop.

Source: saints.com.au

SYDNEY
Kyle Coney, Ireland

Taylor Gilchrist, Caufield Grammar, 190cm (6'2"), 74kg (163): agile midfielder who kicks the ball well. Represented Vic Metro at U-18's.

Brendan Murphy, County Carlow, Ireland, 195cm (6'4"), 88kg (193): good speed and has already shown an adeptness for handling the football. Seen as a center half-forward.

Jake Orreal, Queensland, 205cm (6'7"), 92kg (202): ruckman with plenty of potential but will need time to develop.

Mike Pike, Canada: has come over from a rugby background.

Kristin Thornton, Sydney, 184cm (6'), 72kg (158): originally drafted in 2006 but has yet to play a senior game. Delisted and re-drafted to the rookie list.

Source: sydneyswans.com.au

WEST COAST
Liam Bedford, Geelong, 180cm (5'9"), 73kg (165): spent two seasons on Geelong's rookie list without playing a senior game.The Cats tried him as a defender, but the Eagles see him more as a forward.

Adam Cockie, Subiaco, 180cm (5'9"), 82kg (180): midfielder who will have to bide his time as he is a way down in the midfield pecking order. Eagles like his attitude and work ethic.

Source: westcoasteagles.com.au

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Jamason Daniels, Murray Bushrangers, 181cm (5'9"), 78kg (171): quick midfielder who can kick the ball long. Represented Vic Country at U-18's.

Liam Picken, Williamstown, VFL, 193cm (6'3"), 80kg (176)

Chris Ogle, NSW, 186cm (6'1"), 76kg (167)

Source: westernbulldogs.com.au