AFL draft 2015: Brendon Bolton, Stephen Silvagni meet likely No.1 pick Jacob Weitering
BRENDON Bolton met likely No.1 pick Jacob Weitering for the first time last month. And what he said has the young defender itching to join Carlton.
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CARLTON has told Jacob Weitering every player will start on a clean slate under the club’s new direction with the Blues likely to crown the ready-made defender the No.1 draft pick.
New Blues coach Brendon Bolton and list boss Stephen Silvagni visited Weitering’s Mornington home last month with the 75-minute interview a key step in sealing the coveted first selection.
Blues list chiefs are yet to officially settle on the intercept king but that looks likely to happen when they meet this week.
Weitering says he is itching to join an AFL club.
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“I’m not the party type. That’s for Dustin Martin and Dane Swan to do in Las Vegas, I’m sure they’re enjoying themselves, but that’s not me,” he said.
“Both (Silvagni and Bolton) are amazing men and I think Carlton is in incredibly good hands.
“The way they were describing the future and the way they want to develop Carlton, it put my mum and dad at ease.
“But I’m going to be the one in the boots on the field and it put my mind at ease too, if I was to go to Carlton.”
The Mornington visit was the first time the Blues met Weitering, 17.
Silvagni was in Adelaide on Friday, believed to be meeting Ryan Burton, a goalkicker who has not played in 16 months due to a horrific leg injury. The Blues are considering him with one of their four top-20 selections.
They will also draft Silvagni’s son, Jack, cheaply.
Carlton holds picks 1, 8, 11 and 19 in next Tuesday’s national draft.
Weitering’s marking and ability to switch forward mirrors Geelong’s Harry Taylor and his offensive rebound game reminds observers of Richmond star Alex Rance.
Weitering would become the first key defender drafted at No.1 since Darren Gaspar in 1993.
After turning over 15 players, Carlton will enter 2016 with 18 first-round picks on its list, including 10 top-10 selections and four No. 1s.
Weitering captained Vic Country to an unprecedented 6-0 championship win this year and Dandenong talent manager Mark Wheeler said if he isn’t an AFL captain within five years “something has gone horribly wrong”.
Weitering warned he would be no saviour as “I can only do 5 per cent of the work” but promised to maintain high standards.
“They did say everyone is going to be starting on a clean slate, whether that’s Kade Simpson or a younger boy that’s gone pick 80,” he said.
“They’re going to be on the same level and going to have to prove ourselves to (Bolton).”
Originally published as AFL draft 2015: Brendon Bolton, Stephen Silvagni meet likely No.1 pick Jacob Weitering