Brisbane Lions draft Deven Robertson in AFL steal

He was tagged as a first round pick and many had him in the top 10, but somehow Deven Robertson slipped through to the Lions at pick 22. Here’s who else Brisbane took in the AFL draft.

New Brisbane Lion Deven Robertson has already learned that 24 hours can be an eternity in football.

The WA junior midfield star was invited to the first night of the AFL draft in Melbourne on Wednesday as he was considered a near certainty to be picked up in the first round.

He won the Larke Medal for the best-and-fairest player in the national under 18 championships this year when he captained WA to the title and averaged 30 disposals, almost seven tackles and five clearances per game.

He also won the team’s MVP award and was selected in the All-Australian side.

Deven Robertson after being drafted by the Brisbane Lions at pick 22 . Picture: Michael Klein

But the nephew of former West Coast captain Darren Glass was the only player left sitting in the Victory Room at Marvel Stadium without a team.

His Mum had to take the champagne off ice and he received a barrage of supportive text messages, led by dual Brownlow Medallist Nate Fyfe. He was also given the option to head home to WA. But he decided to stick around.

And Brisbane traded picks with Port Adelaide to get selection no.22 – the first live pick on night two on Thursday – and wasted no time snapping up the 182cm-tall, 80kg Robertson who is the final stages of overcoming a shoulder injury.

Deven Robertson with his mum on the first night of the draft. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

“It was pretty difficult (on Wednesday). I was the only one sitting there in the room. It was a bit embarrassing … seeing all the other boys walk out on stage and not being up there,’’ he said.

“To go back to the hotel and prepare to do it all again today was very hard but I’m on top of the world now. I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

“I didn’t want to run away from what had happened. I wanted to go home a drafted man so I stayed and I couldn’t be happier.

“They had a terrific season. I just met Fages (senior coach Chris Fagan) then and he’s a terrific fella. It’s a good young group. I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got.’’

■ WINS AND LOSSES: Each club ranked at the AFL draft

Robertson said he feels like he has a point to prove to the teams that passed on him in the first round.

“Obviously being overlooked by so many clubs, I do feel like I have an opportunity to prove them wrong a little bit but I don’t hold any grudges…I know it’s a business. Definitely not angry but I do feel like I have a little bit of a point to prove, absolutely,’’ he said.

The Lions picked up 188cm-tall defender Brock Smith – a Vic Country representative and Gippsland Power captain - with pick no.33

The Gold Coast recruited East Fremantle midfielder Jeremy Sharp with pick no.27.

Keidan Coleman gets his chance on the senior list. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/AFL Photos/Getty Images

BRISBANE LIONS PICKS

22. DEVEN ROBERTSON

182cm 80kg, Midfielder, Perth

33. BROCK SMITH

188cm 81kg, Defender, Gippsland Power

37. KEIDEAN COLEMAN

181cm 73kg, Forward, Morningside

59. JAXON PRIOR

188cm 79kg, Defender, West Perth

Engaged Port Adelaide to acquire the first pick (22) of the second-round and with it, they mercifully put first-round prospect Deven Robertson out of his misery inside the first two minutes of the night.

Like Robertson, Gippsland Power skipper Brock Smith will bring courage, grit and solid one-on-one ability.

Keidean Coleman is the splash of sizzle at pick 37 after returning to the Lions in the NEAFL as a 19-year-old. A good user off halfback.

SAM EDMUND’S VERDICT

If the brief was to add muscle then this was mission accomplished for Chris Fagan’s men. Robertson and Smith are strong-over-the-ball types who could make an immediate impression at AFL level.