Geelong has high hopes for draft picks Cooper Stephens, Sam De Koning
Cooper Stephens’ rippling six pack went viral this week but it was his competitive nature that attracted Geelong to the Colac midfielder. But Stephen Wells says he isn’t a Tim Kelly replacement.
Geelong
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Geelong has urged its fans not to consider its pair of new draftees as replacements for Tim Kelly and Harry Taylor despite the lofty predictions about their potential impact.
Geelong list manager Stephen Wells used his pair of top-20 selections to secure Colac and Geelong Falcons midfielder Cooper Stephens (pick 16) and All-Australian full back Sam De Koning (pick 20).
Hard midfielder Stephens wowed recruiters by coming equal first in the draft camp yo-yo test despite breaking his leg three games into his final junior year.
His rippling six-pack after hours honing his body in the gym went viral this week but it was his competitive nature and resilience that attracted Wells.
De Koning is the brother of Carlton ruckman Tom, but Wells believes his 200cm frame could easily be used as a key forward or ruck despite his defensive pedigree.
Wells knows Geelong fans want a quick fix for Kelly but believes the club already has midfield stocks to help replace him.
“We have got a lot of midfielders. We have brought in Jack Steven to the club as a midfielder,” he said.
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“We have got young guys from previous drafts who are looking forward to their opportunities. Tim Kelly is a star player though, so let’s see how it all plays out.
“Cooper Stephens is very much a contested ball player. He is a midfielder from the Geelong Falcons, from Colac originally. He only played three games with a broken leg at the start of the year but by the time the combine came around he was performing exceptionally well.”
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Geelong has a fleet of young key defenders, with De Koning’s recruitment giving the club flexibility in its succession planning given Tom Hawkins is also 31.
“I can understand why you ask given Sam was an All Australian full back but Harry has been a champion of our club,” Wells said.
“We are hoping Sam can develop over the years. His opportunities aren’t going to be restricted to tall defender, he has done well as a forward and also as a potential ruckman.
“As a big young man he has lots of opportunities to develop over the ground.”