AFL Draft Pick Me: Hugh Goddard wants chance to show clubs he’s up for challenge of top-flight footy
PICK ME: CARRYING a famous surname, AFL-ready frame and an established reputation, Hugh Goddard’s bona fides were always going to be challenged by the forensic draft process.
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CARRYING a famous surname, AFL-ready frame and an established reputation, Hugh Goddard’s bona fides were always going to be challenged by the forensic draft process.
The cousin of Brendon endured a form slump in the middle of the year that saw some clubs reassess his ranking, but Geelong Falcons talent manager Michael Turner says his star pupil was the victim of over analysis.
“All the high profile kids get picked apart,” Turner said.
“They have great years as 17-year-old’s and it’s only human nature that recruiters want to see them improve, but I think the more they see them, the more they form opinions on their negatives rather than their positives.
“The bottom line is he’s a super kid, highly motivated and he’ll work his a--- off.
“There are not many kids of his size who can play forward and back. I would have thought he’s very much a high-priority draft pick.”
Goddard’s versatility and strong character could see Greater Western Sydney commit pick No.6 at Thursday’s national draft, where he would join Phil Davis, Lachie Plowman and Adam Tomlinson in a flexible defensive unit.
A shift from the forward line to defence, where he completed negating jobs on Sam Durdin and Collingwood father-son Darcy Moore, was the turning point of his season.
A strong TAC Cup finals series and an excellent draft combine, where he achieved elite results in the 20-metre sprint (2.98 sec) and the 3km time trial (10.48 min), justified why he is widely seen as a top-10 draft pick.
“I think everyone has bad games during the year and I was more happy with the way I rebounded and showed everyone I was here and I was legit and I really wanted to make that mark,” Goddard said.
“I think the way I responded really showed I have that inner grunt in me.”
Having spent the past four years in the Melbourne Grammar boarding house, the Giants can be confident in his ability to thrive away from home.
“I would love it,” Goddard said of his potential move to Western Sydney.
“I would be grateful for the opportunity anywhere and GWS are an up and coming club.
“I’ve been ready for a while and I just want to get in there (AFL system) and earn the respect of everyone and become a part of it.”
Brendon Goddard is more golfing buddy than AFL star, but he was a valuable sounding board when things weren’t going to plan.
“He (Brendon) just says, ‘mate, it doesn’t matter where you go,’ and I know that,” Hugh said.
“Obviously there’s lot of talk about me dropping down, but I know I have my best footy ahead of me and I’m still training now to get myself where I need to be and show and prove that I am better than what people are saying.”
HUGH GODDARD
AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 196cm
WEIGHT: 94kg
CLUB: Geelong Falcons
POSITION: Utility
SUPERCOACH AVG: 86 points
PLAYS LIKE: Ben Reid
PREDICTED DRAFT RANGE: 6-14
IN THE MIX: GWS (6, 7) GEELONG (10) FREMANTLE (13) ADELAIDE (14)
Originally published as AFL Draft Pick Me: Hugh Goddard wants chance to show clubs he’s up for challenge of top-flight footy
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