Nick Shipley looking to be just the third AFL player drafted from Sydney’s west in 30 years

The western suburbs of Sydney has been like the Sahara Desert for AFL talent. But Campbelltown’s Nick Shipley is set to change all that at Friday night’s national draft.

Nick Shipley competes in the yoyo test during the AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media

The Western Suburbs of Sydney has been like the Sahara Desert for AFL talent over recent decades but Campbelltown’s Nick Shipley is set to change all that at Friday night’s National Draft — which will appropriately be held in the harbour city.

In the last 30 years just two players from Sydney’s west have made the grade — Greg Stafford played 204 games for the Swans (130) and Richmond (74) between 1993 and 2006 and Dylan Addison played 93 for the Western Bulldogs (88) and GWS (5).

Addison is now the welfare manager at the Giants and could be looking after Shipley’s transition to AFL ranks should GWS snare him in three days’ time.

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“I’m very nervous but I can’t wait till Friday,” Shipley said.

“Hopefully I can be picked up by GWS, then I can stay close to home and don’t have to travel interstate.”

Campbelltown's Nick Shipley is looking to become the first player from Sydney’s western suburbs drafted since GWS joined the AFL. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Shipley was introduced to the Giants Academy at the age of 12 and continued to play his first love soccer before concentrating his attention on footy at 15.

The teenager credits Academy coach and former Sydney Swan Jason Saddington for his remarkable transition from novice to draft candidate in the space of three years.

“Jason has mentored me all the way through,” Shipley said.

“He as the experience at the top level and has taught me a lot about the game. He always talks about giving your best effort and hitting your targets and giving training 100 per cent. It has been really valuable and helped me learn what it means to be a professional.”

The well-built (189cm and 90kg) Shipley finished the year well with a 19-possession performance in the All Stars match on grand final day at the MCG, followed by an even more impressive effort at last month’s draft combine at Etihad Stadium.

He clocked 2.97 seconds for the 20-metre sprint which put him in the top 10 per cent of all players, and then backed it up with equally impressive efforts in the endurance tests — finishing in the top 12 per cent in the 2km time trial and the yoyo test which measures the ability to repeat sprints. He is expected to be drafted in the fourth round or beyond.

Former Swans great Jude Bolton with Nick Shipley. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Swans champion Jude Bolton says producing home grown talent is critical to the code’s growth in Sydney.

“The Swans have benefited enormously from drafting local talent,” Bolton said.

“All of Nick’s family, friends and schoolmates will support him along the way and that’s great for footy in this part of the world. Just to be able to put himself in this position he Nick should be really proud.”

Bolton will be back in action playing in the AFL 9s Classic which runs from Friday to Sunday at Queens Park. The tournament has grown from 80 to 120 teams in just two years.

“The Nines fills the gap between club footy and social footy,” Bolton said.

“Having a non-contact sport anyone can play allows all ages, skill levels and genders to get involved.”

Originally published as Nick Shipley looking to be just the third AFL player drafted from Sydney’s west in 30 years