Ryley Sanders could still nominate for the open draft even if North Melbourne is handed NGA access

Even if the Roos are given NGA access to Ryley Sanders, he may not end up there. The young gun’s dad gives an insight into the big decision facing his son.

Ryley Sanders is one of the draft’s most intriguing stories. Picture: Getty Images

Ryley Sanders’ father says his son has known his Indigenous heritage for many years but could still nominate for the open draft even if the Roos are handed access to him as an NGA talent.

The Roos will find out on Brownlow Medal day if they have access to the top-eight draft pick as it emerged they might still have to use draft points to match any bid for the Tasmanian midfielder.

Rival recruiters are up in arms about the Roos’ potential access to Sanders, who this year proved he was Indigenous and therefore had claims to being a member of the Roos’ next generation academy.

The league would still need to give the Roos permission to have access to Sanders given current rules do not allow Victorian teams to bid on NGA talent within the top 40 of the national draft.

Sanders’ father Adam told this masthead Sanders had long known his Indigenous heritage and was on Flying Boomerangs tour representing Indigenous players in 2019.

Ryley Sanders’ father has opened up on his son’s possible draft plans. Picture: Michael Klein

But he said Sanders had a decision to make on going into the open draft or accepting the Roos’ invitation even if the AFL Commission green-lit the North Melbourne request.

After striving to be a high draft pick for so many years, the prolific 186cm midfielder would ideally like to be bid on in the national draft to show his worth rather than just handed to the Roos as a pre-listed talent.

Adam Sanders has an outstanding resume in his own right after 284 games in the NTFL including a league best-and-fairest before taking up coaching and development roles in Tasmanian football.

“We don’t really have a clear picture of what the AFL will do,” he told the Herald Sun.

“He just wants to play footy and he’s good mates with Harry (Sheezel) and did a week with the AFL academy there (at Arden St) and he has a connection with Tarryn Thomas through his Tassie days but he would also be happy to go to Geelong or Essendon or West Coast or Adelaide or anywhere.

“So if it does happen he has a decision to make and if he doesn’t North Melbourne could still take him in the draft. My understanding is if the AFL says yes it’s up to Ryley to agree to it. And then if he says yes it could require (a bid) like father-sons with points.

“Our biggest concern is how do you acknowledge him in the draft? He has worked all his life to get into the draft. It’s not all about the number you go but it’s an acknowledgment of your efforts. So they might end up (needing to bid on him) like a father-son rather than saying, “Ryley Sanders, North Melbourne” at the end of the draft.

Sanders is seen as one of the top prospects in this year’s draft class. Picture: Getty Images

“So there are a few things to work through. If he feels like he would rather go into the open draft it’s a no. He is 18 so we can help him make his own decision but if he feels like he’s happy to go into the open draft, we will see where it lands.”

If the Roos did secure access to Sanders but needed to match a rival bid for him the league could still give them extra draft picks as part of an official request that would help them secure the points.

Ryley Sanders did not need to provide documentation of his Indigenous heritage to play with the Flying Boomerangs but this year presented a certificate to the AFL to prove it as part of the NGA process.

“It’s on my mum’s side. We have done some work in the last seven or eight years from my end and that’s where it came about,” Adam Sanders said.

“We have looked into both sides of the family tree. My grandfather was born on Flinders Island and it evolved from there. It’s been a journey for us and Ryley about understanding our backgrounds. But we have met some really good people through exploring it and having mentoring through school at Melbourne Grammar.”