AFL draft: Oakleigh Chargers deliver record haul from a TAC Cup club
Oakleigh Chargers produced a record number of draftees from one Tac Cup club in the AFL and rookie drafts, delivering enough players to fill half a side.
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Oakleigh Chargers’ season ended in disappointment: a four-point grand final loss to Dandenong Stingrays.
But by the metrics of the TAC Cup competition, the year was a resounding success.
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Oakleigh produced a record number of draftees from one club in last week’s AFL and rookie drafts, delivering 11 players to the elite level — enough for half a side.
The haul equalled the record set by Western Jets (1994) and Calder Cannons (2004).
As expected, Isaac Quaynor (Collingwood) and Riley Collier-Dawkins (Richmond) were taken in the first round on Thursday night.
James Rowbottom (Sydney), Xavier O’Neill (West Coast), Will Kelly (Collingwood), James Jordon (Melbourne) and Jack Ross (Richmond) were all second-round selections on Friday afternoon.
Noah Answerth (Brisbane), Ben Silvagni (Carlton) and Atu Bosenavulagi (Collingwood) followed, while Will Golds (Hawthorn) was taken in the rookie draft.
“I’m pretty emotionally calm but when their names are read out, my wife and I were screaming,” Oakleigh coach Leigh Clarke said.
“There are some wonderful stories and you hold your breath for a couple because you know the journey they’ve gone through.”
Each player has a tale to tell but Clarke lost control when Answerth’s name was called out by Brisbane with pick No.55.
Answerth suffered a season-ending back injury in Round 2 in 2017 but returned to Warrawee Park as a 19-year-old this year.
“That was the one when I lost complete composure and my wife just went and grabbed a box of tissues and dropped it in between us,” Clarke.
“You just can’t control that kind of experience.
“They’re special ones but I struggle to find one that’s not special among the 11 because we’ve got some great relationships with these kids.
“Xavier O’Neill is probably another one I’m pretty attached to given his season didn’t go to plan but constantly backed himself.
“Then you get to Atu and those guys as well and to catch up with his family ... amazing to sit around with Atu’s family and they’re just a wonderful family that are just so grateful to experience the culture and opportunities here in Australia.
“For Atu to be able to take probably one of the ultimate opportunities for a young man in Victoria or Australia and to get a chance at an AFL club is outstanding.”
While there was much celebration around Oakleigh, Clarke said Joseph Ayton-Delaney was unlucky to be overlooked.
“I think 12 was our magic number in terms of on (AFL) lists,” he said.
“This is a time, although it’s great to drop around to families and hug and celebrate, we’ve also got to drop around to someone like Joey’s house and hug him equally.”
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