Rowville junior Jamieson Rossiter among Eastern Ranges’ top 2019 AFL draft prospects
Rowville’s recent success at producing elite draft talent looks set to continue with Jamieson Rossiter shaping as one of Eastern Ranges’ top prospects in 2019.
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Rowville’s recent success at producing elite draft talent looks set to continue with Jamieson Rossiter shaping as one of Eastern Ranges’ top prospects in 2019.
Rossiter only managed two TAC Cup appearances last year due to a foot injury but provided a glimpse of his talent with six goals in a rain-affected game against Bendigo Pioneers in Round 7.
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Rowville already has nine players on AFL lists, which could become 10 if Rossiter is drafted.
Eastern Ranges talent manager Sean Toohey said Rossiter had overcome the foot injury that ruled a line through his 2018 campaign, spending a week training with Hawthorn before Christmas.
“Jamo’s a really smart footballer, I think he sees the game really well and positions himself, wherever it is on the ground, he’ll position himself to give himself the best opportunity to win the ball,” Toohey said.
“He’s just a really smart, natural footballer who uses his body well and he is a one-touch player.
“His hands are fantastic, he’s got nice skills both sides of the body and he just ticks all the boxes.”
Best and fairest winner Mitch Mellis also looms as one of the club’s top prospects this year.
Mellis last season joined future AFL hall of famer Sam Mitchell, dual Adelaide best and fairest winner Rory Sloane and Western Bulldogs draftee Ben Cavarra as the only players to win Eastern Ranges’ top individual honour as a bottom-age player.
“We’ve had this discussion with him but we probably need to see him kick some goals up forward and impacting the scoreboard,” Toohey said.
“I think it’s pretty obvious to everyone what his attributes are, I think he competes really well whether he is pitted against a small or a tall.
“Mitch just wants to get out and have a crack and play the best footy he can.”
James Blanck and Cody Hirst will also return as 19-year-olds in a bid to again push their draft credentials.
Chayce Black, son of former Fremantle and St Kilda midfielder Heath, will also be monitored by the Dockers as a father-son prospect.
Ranges also hold hopes Billy McCormack — son of former Fitzroy and Brisbane Bears player Brendan — Lachlan Stapleton and Mihaele Zalac can show their wares as draft prospects.
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