Calder Cannons top draft prospects hold onto rookie draft hope after missing out in national draft

CALDER Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte says he will be shocked if Nick O’Kearney and Callum Moore are not selected as rookies on Friday after they were overlooked at Tuesday’s national draft.

Calder Cannons midfielder Nick O'Kearney He's one pf the the top draft fancies from his club. Picture: Ellen Smith

CALDER Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte says he will be shocked if on-baller Nick O’Kearney and forward Callum Moore are not selected as rookies on Friday after they were overlooked at Tuesday’s national draft.

The prolific Keilor junior was considered one of the Cannons’ top draft prospects alongside forwards Moore and Hisham Kerbatieh.

But the trio will now be among up to eight Calder players hoping to be selected when clubs add the final players to their 2016 lists at the rookie draft, with no Cannons chosen at the national draft.

“I’m pretty confident that a few of them will get on lists through the rookie draft,” Kyte said.

“Cal and Nick, I’d be extremely surprised if they didn’t (and) we’re hopeful of Hisham getting there.”

Best and fairest winner Bruno Laguda, ruckman Mark Kovacevic and midfielder Ben Allan could also be in the mix along with Karl Brown and Tom Wallis.

Wallis is all but certain to be chosen as a father-son rookie by Essendon, which had indicated it would snap him up it he was available after the national draft.

Kyte said the Cannons would provide support for the draft hopefuls throughout the week.

“We’ll get them down to training on Wednesday night, follow up on Friday and then see where we go from there,” he said.

Several Calder players have already committed to VFL side Coburg for 2016, which looms as the most likely home for those who are not picked.

“They’ve just got to be patient now and see how we can get them (to the AFL),” Kyte said.

Kyte said the club held out hope up to four players would be chosen on Friday.

The players headed to Coburg will not have to look far for inspiration after the second Lion in as many years was picked up on Tuesday.

Defender Michael Hartley earned a second crack at the top level after a stellar 2015 campaign, selected by Essendon with pick No. 68.

Hartley’s elevation comes a year after Gold Coast plucked dashing defender Adam Saad from the VFL.

Originally published as Calder Cannons top draft prospects hold onto rookie draft hope after missing out in national draft