AFL Draft 2014: Carlton picks Blaine Boekhorst, says it wasn’t a risky selection

CARLTON recruiting chief Shane Rogers says there was nothing risky about picking Blaine Boekhorst — a mature-age WAFL player — with pick 19.

Perth v Swan Districts at Lathlain Park. PIC Swan 9 Blaine Boekhorst . Pic Theo Fakos

CARLTON punted by trading away a top 10 pick a month ago and rolled the dice again last night on a mature-age WAFL player.

The rebuilding Blues sprung a surprise by snaring 21-year-old Swan Districts midfielder Blaine Boekhorst at pick 19.

But Carlton recruiting chief Shane Rogers said there was nothing risky about the club’s recent list strategy.

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“I don’t think it was a gamble at all,” Rogers said.

“We pick the best players where they are picked. Is he a pick 19? Yes he is, because it doesn’t matter how old they are or what race or colour they are. If they can play they play and that’s where we pick them.”

Carlton selected Blaine Boekhorst with its first pick in the 2014 AFL National Draft. Picture: Theo Fakos

The Blues traded pick 7 for 19 and Greater Western Sydney pair Kristian Jaksch and Mark Whiley during last month’s trade period.

“I was a part of that process and I’m happy with it,” Rogers said.

“I think we are much more advanced than we were three years ago. The players that we’ve brought in have the potential to come in and give us a lot of depth and push through and change the structure of our list.”

Carlton added Western Jets runner Dillon Viojo-Rainbow at pick 28, West Australian defender Clem Smith (pick 60) and Calder Cannon key forward Jayden Foster (63) — a father-son option the Western Bulldogs overlooked.

Rogers said Boekhorst — an ex-volleyballer — was a late developer and would surprise with his pace.

Clem Smith was selected by Carlton with pick 60 in the 2014 AFL National Draft. Picture: Colleen Petch

“Blaine ticked the boxes for us with his speed, agility and outside run. He’s the type of player who really takes on the opposition and will give us some depth in the midfield,” Rogers said.

“Having had a couple of years of development in the WAFL his body has matured a little more and he has matured as a player, making him someone who could easily slot into our team straight away.”

Carlton’s recruiting department has been under the pump since club powerbroker Bruce Mathieson publicly declared it the worst in the AFL.

“Our recruiting in the last eight to 10 years has just been appalling — the worst by any club by far,” Mathieson said in March.

“Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt. It is just an embarrassment. “

Club legend and GWS list manager Stephen Silvagni has since been linked to a return to the Blues.

Originally published as AFL Draft 2014: Carlton picks Blaine Boekhorst, says it wasn’t a risky selection