AFL Draft 2014: Dean Gore ready for rigours of senior football

STURT’S Dean Gore has attracted little hype ahead of Thursday’s National Draft but the numbers don’t lie and the AFL scouts won’t have missed them.

Dean Gore pictured at his family farm near Echunga is an AFL draft hopeful. Pic: Tricia Watkinson.

STURT’S Dean Gore has attracted little hype ahead of Thursday’s National Draft but numbers don’t lie and AFL scouts won’t have missed them.

The 18-year-old inside midfielder already has an 86kg frame ready for the rigours of AFL and he was the leading tackler (39) at this year’s national under-18 championships.

He played 12 league games for Sturt this season and looked at home against men.

If there were questions about his running power he answered them at the draft camp with a sub-three second 20m sprint time and a 14.1 beep test.

Add to the equation a driving right foot kick, an ability to kick goals, and noted composure in traffic and there aren’t too many boxes Gore doesn’t tick, hype or no hype.

Dean Gore was the leading tackler (39) at this year’s national under-18 championships. Picture: Colleen Petch

“I just try to go about my football and pride myself on doing everything the team needs,’’ Gore says when asked to talk about his game.

“If there’s a tackle there to be laid I’ll lay it, that’s definitely something I pride myself on.”

According to SA under-18 coach Brenton Phillips, Gore is capable of establishing a long AFL career.

“Everyone is saying (Victoria Metro’s Christian Petracca) is going to go at No. 1 but I’d say Gore beat him,’’ Phillips said.

“He (Gore) is just a very good, honest footballer that is going to go on and play a lot of AFL football, given the right opportunity.”

Gore grew up on a 23 acre farm just outside Hahndorf and credits his strong frame in part to an outdoor country up bringing.

Dean Gore was playing SANFL reserves football when he was 16-years-old. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

He learnt his trade at Hahndorf Football Club and, like so many others that come out of the often muddy ovals in the Adelaide Hills, he thrives on the physical stuff.

His strong frame and tough approach saw him rise through Sturt’s ranks and play reserves by 16.

Gore started this season in the Double Blues’ League side and won the competition’s star search award in round two after a 19 disposal, four clearance three tackle game against the Crows.

His own harshest critic he says he was disappointed not to play more dominant league matches.

“I thought I had a fairly good year but I would have liked to have been more consistent,’’ he says.

“Hopefully it was good enough (to be drafted) but there’s definitely no guarantees I’ll go.”

He may not be guarantee to be drafted, but expect Gore’s name to be called in the second or third round on the Gold Coast in couple of days.

DEAN GORE

Age: 18

Club: Sturt

Position: Midfield

Height: 183cm

Weight: 86kg

What they say: “He is just very good, honest footballer that is going to go on and play a lot of AFL football given the right opportunity.” — Brenton Phillips state under-18 coach.

Draft range: 20-50