The train-on players vying for SSP spot at every AFL club over the pre-season
Overlooked Collingwood father-son prospect Tom McGuane is confident he can show the Crows enough to land a spot on their list, vowing to find a way to realise his AFL dream.
Overlooked Collingwood father-son prospect Tom McGuane says he is confident he can still realise his AFL dream “through the harder way now” as he prepares to trial for a list spot with Adelaide.
McGuane arrived in South Australia on Tuesday afternoon to begin a training stint with the Crows as part of the AFL’s pre-season Supplementary Selection Period (SSP), which opened on Monday.
Adelaide had one pick in the rookie draft last Friday but chose to pass rather than selecting a player, instead leaving that position open for potential use during the SSP.
VFL star Zac Foot has also been invited to train with Adelaide alongside McGuane, with the Crows able to sign a player at any time before the SSP window closes on February 20.
McGuane, 18, will be at West Lakes for training on Wednesday and said he was excited for the chance. McGuane was told by Collingwood in early October that the Magpies would not nominate him for the national draft, with the club leaving the door ajar for the rookie draft.
“I can’t wait, super grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get stuck into it,” he said.
“I had an interview (with the Crows) yesterday and it has been pretty crazy as to how it has all unfolded.
“My ultimate goal is to play AFL footy and I will do whatever it takes.”
Foot, 24, was originally drafted to Sydney at pick 51 in the 2018 national draft.
He won Southport’s best-and-fairest award this year and starred with 24 disposals, seven clearances and two goals in a losing VFL Grand Final in September.
However, Collingwood instead selected small forward and Next Generation Academy prospect Jai Saxena in the rookie draft and McGuane was not selected by any other clubs despite attracting some interest.
“It was a little bit disappointing, I was in the mix with a few clubs and didn’t really know what was going to happen,” he said.
“I’ve sort of had the same mantra, just controlling what I can control and for me it is just working hard and my dad has always told me the harder you work the luckier you get,” he said.
“I’ve stuck by that and now this huge opportunity has arisen and I’m super grateful for it and excited to get to work..”
A 178cm midfielder with a neat left foot kick, McGuane made a dominant start to the season as an onballer for the Western Jets in the early part of the Coates Talent League season this year.
He also featured in all four games for Vic Metro during the under-18 national championships and in three VFL appearances for Collingwood, with his high footy IQ and elite running capacity being other key strengths.
At the state draft combine in October, McGuane ran a time of 6min 20 sec in the 2km time trial and ranked fifth nationally among state combine invitees in the 20m sprint as he stopped the clock at 2.938 sec.
He is the son of Collingwood 1990 premiership player and two-time best and fairest Mick McGuane.
He said there would be a desire to prove doubters wrong and he believed he could realise his AFL dream.
“There is always a little bit of that, I’ve always tried to prove myself right. I believe I will be good enough at that level and I just bring it back to hard work,” he said.
“I believe I can be at the top level one day, it may be through the harder way now but whatever way that is I am just super grateful for the opportunity.
“Wasn’t expecting how it panned out (with Collingwood) but they are entitled to their opinion, that is how it works. It is a cutthroat industry at the end of the day.”
McGuane said he had significantly improved his versatility this year, with an ability to play as a half-forward and on the wing in addition to his on-ball work.
Adelaide made two selections in the national draft in key forwards Mitch Marsh (pick 22) and Archie Ludowyke (pick 50).
The Crows also secured Brisbane Lions premiership player Callum Ah Chee via the pre-season draft last Friday.
Elsewhere, McGuane’s Western Jets teammate this year – Tom Burton – joined Richmond’s pre-season program on Monday as he also searches for an SSP spot.
A 178cm halfback of midfielder with a booming kick, Burton grew up as a Western Bulldogs supporter and idolised Jason Johannisen.
Eastern Ranges ruckman Marcus Krasnadamskis – who measures 201cm – was also invited to train with the Tigers.
Some recruiters had thought the athletic tall could be a top-30 pick in the national draft given his upside.
Krasnadamskis only committed himself to football this year after previously playing basketball for Victoria’s under-18 team.
Western Jets forward Oskar Ainsworth will train with St Kilda, while Murray Bushrangers ruckman Zac Harding is set to train with Fremantle.
Originally published as The train-on players vying for SSP spot at every AFL club over the pre-season
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