NAB League 2019: Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson all but certain to be drafted to Gold Coast
Best mates Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson are destined to be drafted by struggling AFL club Gold Coast, but the pair could be joined in Queensland by an Oakleigh Chargers teammate.
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Oakleigh Chargers have believed “deep down” top draft prospects Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson could be Gold Coast-bound.
The Suns were handed an assistance package on Monday, including the top two picks in next month’s draft.
It would appear certain the struggling club will recruit best mates Rowell and Anderson, who are the standout underage prospects in the country.
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The pair played in a junior football premiership together, and featured with Oakleigh, Vic Metro, the AFL Academy side and Carey Grammar this year.
“I think deep down we all thought this was a possibility that this sort of package would occur for the Suns,” Oakleigh talent manager Jy Bond said.
“Everyone has been talking about the one and two picks and obviously the compensation picks and packages would probably have come into consideration because of Anderson and Rowell being so closely linked over the last few years.
“The thought might have been an AFL club could get a package deal and to keep some retention with the two boys.”
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Gold Coast could also use its first selection in the second round on Oakleigh captain Trent Bianco, who is viewed as a top-25 draft prospect.
Bond said Rowell and Anderson had accepted the likelihood they would be drafted by Gold Coast, which has won just seven of its past 52 games.
“I think for the two of them, they just want to play AFL and to be linked together is probably a good thing for them,” he said.
“They get to continue on there footballing journey together.
“It is one of those remarkable things you would never really see happening too much in professional sport around the world to be childhood friends travelling along their football journey together.
“When you think about it like that, it is a great story and they get to stay together.”
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