AFL Draft 2015: Adelaide pick up livewire Wayne Milera and surprise with Tom Doedee

ADELAIDE’S forward line just got a little more dangerous after the Crows drafted the elusive Wayne Milera from Central Districts.

ADELAIDE has a third small forward line magician with Central District star Wayne Milera last night joining dynamic duo Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron in one of the AFL’s most exciting attacks.

New Crows coach Don Pyke hailed Milera as a “real talent’’ and a player who has not been recruited to eventually replace the ageing Betts, who is 28, but an exciting sidekick to him and fellow small forward Cameron.

“Wayne was one our recruiters identified as a real talent and a player who can carry the ball with some speed, so I am really pleased we got him,’’ said Pyke, who oversaw his first draft as senior coach.

“He had a really solid season in the (national) under-18s and at senior level with Central.

“We really believe that Wayne can grow into a really good player for us, not only as a forward but also as a midfielder.

“He’s obviously played half-forward in his SANFL career but we believe he can also push up and play as a midfielder in the future.’’

The Crows, armed with two first-round draft picks for the first time, pounced on 18-year-old Milera with their first pick, No. 11 overall.

Classy with freakish skills he adds more potency to an attack which apart from the smalls also includes talls Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch and new recruit Troy Menzel from Carlton.

Milera was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome earlier in the season and underwent surgery to correct an erratic heartbeat.

However, that paled into insignificant after the livewire heard his name called at pick No.11.

“This is unreal,’’ Milera said.

“It was a shock to have that heart surgery and to recover from that and be in the position I’m in now is amazing.

“You dream of this, being drafted, as a little kid and for the dream to come true, well, I’ll be pinching myself for a couple of days.

“To stay at home is a bonus and the family are all Crows supporters so we’re all over the moon about it.’’

Adelaide, which had long been linked to Milera, snared him early and then made a bid for GWS academy player, tall forward/ruckman Harrison Himmelberg, with selection 16.

The Giants matched the bid and the Crows then overlooked mobile North Adelaide forward Ryan Burton, on the comeback trail from a serious leg injury, to pull off one of the shocks of the first round in drafting Geelong Falcons defender Tom Doedee (No. 17 overall).

Doedee, 18, is a 187cm third-tall defender who made Vic Country’s under-18 basketball team in 2014.

Pyke described Doedee as a “unique guy who is a really strong competitor’’.

“He has great athleticism and a really good attitude and character so he ticks a lot of boxes in terms of what we are looking for to add to the program,’’ Pyke said.

“We think he is going to be an exciting player for us as well.’’

Pyke said no limitations would be put on either player and that they could play AFL next season.

“We are not going to put any cap on them,’’ he said.

“We’ll get them into the program and if they are good enough they will find their way into our 22.’’

The Crows used their third selection to upgrade defender Jake Kelly from the rookie to senior list.

WAYNE MILERA

Pick 11

Age: 18. Height: 183cm. Weight: 75kg.

Position: Half-forward/midfielder.

Recruited from: Central District, SA.

TOM DOEDEE

Pick 17

Age: 18. Height: 187cm. Weight: 83kg.

Position: Defender.

Recruited from: Geelong Falcons, Vic.