Cam O’Shea pushing for second chance at AFL level after impressive VFL season with Northern Blues

NORTHERN Blues best and fairest Cam O’Shea has been training with Carlton as he presses his claim for a second chance at AFL level.

Cam O’Shea enjoyed a superb VFL campaign for Northern Blues this year. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

NORTHERN Blues best and fairest Cam O’Shea has been training with Carlton as he presses his claims for a second chance at AFL level.

The 25-year-old played 81 matches for Port Adelaide between 2011 and 2016 before linking up with Carlton’s VFL affiliate.

Blues coach Josh Fraser declared in April he would be “very surprised” if an AFL club did not grant O’Shea another opportunity at the elite level after he limited ex-Melbourne forward Jack Watts to one goal.

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Carlton seems a natural fit for O’Shea after Bryce Gibbs was traded to Adelaide, Dennis Armfield and Rhys Palmer retired and Simon White was delisted.

The quartet has departed Princes Park with a combined 586 AFL matches, leaving space for an experienced player to join Brendon Bolton’s senior list.

Northern Blues general manager Garry O’Sullivan said he was hopeful Carlton would call O’Shea’s name at either the AFL national or rookie draft.

“We have got our fingers crossed that they will pick him up,” O’Sullivan said.

“He was outstanding. His work for us this year was terrific.

“When you see what Alex Silvagni was able to achieve ... I would put him in the same boat as that.

“Good strong body, aggressive defender that could be a really good depth player for the Blues or for another club. But we are hopeful it will be the Blues.”

Cam O’Shea fires out a handball while being tackled against Box Hill. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

O’Shea won the Laurie Hill Trophy with a record 146 votes, eclipsing the mark set by Richmond premiership player Kane Lambert in 2013.

He took the most marks in the VFL and led the Blues for disposals, effective kicks and rebound 50s.

Fraser will lead Northern Blues for a third season in 2018, with his coaching panel to consist of former Essendon player Brent Stanton, ex-Port Adelaide player Jason Davenport and former North Melbourne assistant Shane Watson.

A group of Northern Knights players, including best and fairest Alex Federico, took part in the club’s first pre-season training session on Tuesday.

North Heidelberg premiership player Brody Tardio was another new face, arriving after a standout Northern Football League Division 2 campaign and being recommended to the club by AFL games record holder Brent Harvey.

Former Gold Coast on-baller Luke Russell has left Northern Blues, returning to Tasmania as a playing assistant coach with Burnie Dockers.

The AFL national draft is on next Friday, November 24, with the rookie draft to be held on Monday, November 27.