AFL Draft: GWS set to swoop on born leader Tom Green
Every other AFL club wants him but after improving its draft position GWS is primed to win the race to draft a future captain who has drawn comparisons to Carlton’s Patrick Cripps.
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Greater Western Sydney have their future captain if the draft delivers midfielder Tom Green to the club.
Green, 18, has been likened to Carlton’s Patrick Cripps and every club in the competition has made a pitch for him over the past 12 months.
A deal with the Crows has boosted the Giants to pick four and, according to one of Green’s mentors, if GWS prevail they will have a born leader who has a competitive nature which is second to none and an unsurpassed self-awareness.
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A product of the Giants Academy, the youngster has built up experience with the club’s NEAFL side and also skippered the Allies.
AFL NSW/ACT talent and coaching program manager, Cameron Bernasconi, began coaching Canberra-based Green at under-14 level and has no doubt this is one draft hopeful who is destined for the top.
“Tom is the most competitive kid I’ve ever met and has leadership written all over him,” he said.
“He will do anything in his power to win contested ball. At every level he’s played he has been driven to be the best at his craft.”
He’s also seen as something of blueprint for those looking to make their AFL dreams come true, according to Giants academy operations and performance manager, Daniel Scroope.
“Tom’s self-belief and the sacrifices he has made to become one of the top players in the 2019 draft crop have happened over many seasons and has paved the way for those around him to understand the pathway and work ethic required to make it at the highest level,” he said.
Green comes from a family with a hugely impressive AFL pedigree. His grandfather is Richmond Hall of Famer Michael Green, a four-time premiership player and team of the century member.
“I’d be stoked (if it was the Giants),” Green said.
“The Giants would be amazing because they’ve been so good to me and for me.
“But, wherever (I end up), I’ve done everything I can and I’m not going to stress about things I can’t control.
“And I know this isn’t the end, it’s just the start.”
Green is studying for a degree in politics and international relations at the University of Canberra, so his need for a “reality” outside football is clear.
“It’s important for me that you don’t get completely absorbed by footy,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of players in numerous sports stepping away due to mental health issues. You can just start getting absorbed by the sport.
“Not having other stuff going on in your life can have a detrimental effect. I think it (other interests) is very important, not only as a fallback option after footy, but for your mental health.”
Should the Giants fail to land this particular Green, all is not lost.
He has three younger brothers, Josh (17), William (15) and Lachlan (10), who are all avid footballers. The two older ones are already part of the Giants Academy. It’s in the blood.
But while new Giants football boss Jason McCartney is in no mood to miss out on Green, he believes the club will go into the draft looking to add further quality rather than be in any desperate panic to fill gaping holes.
“We’ve got pretty good balance,” he said.
“In an ideal world you’d like a bit of back, bit of outside mid, bit of run.
“In the ruck we’ve brought in Sam Jacobs and Mummy (Shane Mumford) is still there with Kieren Briggs and Matt Flynn bubbling, but in time there will need to be something there. But it’s probably a bit of outside run, whether it’s the wing, half-back, that high half-forward.
“No disrespect but I’ve been at other clubs where you go ‘we need A, B,C and D desperately’. We’re not like that.”