Melbourne signs former Australian under-23 basketballer amid stiff competition

MELBOURNE has won a hotly contested race to sign former Australian under-23 basketballer Corey Maynard, brother of Collingwood’s Brayden.

Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard with brother and Melbourne recruit Corey. Picture: Ellen Smith

MELBOURNE has signed former College basketballer Corey Maynard in the face of stiff competition from at least four other clubs.

The Herald Sun can reveal the older brother of Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard joined the Demons on Wednesday as a category B rookie.

Maynard, 24, has not played competitive football for seven years, but kicked 14 goals in his last game in Year 10 at Sacred Heart College in Adelaide.

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At 191cm, it is hoped the former Australian under-23 point guard will develop into a tough and powerful midfielder.

“I played a bit onball and a bit up half forward that day, but it was the last game I ever played of footy, so I thought I would go out on top,” Maynard told the Herald Sun.

“It’s a great memory, but I know it’s going to take a lot of hard work to have any type of success at this level.

Corey Maynard in action for Bryant University.

Corey Maynard in action for Townsville Crocs.

“I’m a competitor first and foremost and that’s how I played basketball and that’s what I pride myself on.

“The way Melbourne is building I think it ties in pretty nicely, with the type of guys they have recruited.”

Demons’ national recruiting chief Jason Taylor has chased Maynard for three years and remained in contact as he played in the NBL in Queensland for Cairns and Townsville in recent seasons.

He also played briefly in Finland in March this year.

Adelaide’s recruiters also flew to Boston during his American stint at Bryant University in an attempt to poach him, while Essendon, St Kilda and Collingwood have all had interest. The Saints rang Maynard on Wednesday.

But Maynard said he was thrilled to accept an offer from Melbourne, where his father, Peter, worked in administration and also played at the club.

Former Australian under-23 basketballer Corey Maynard has signed with Melbourne, pictured with younger brother Collingwood's Brayden. Picture: Ellen Smith

“I did a tour of Melbourne two years ago but they have obviously grown and developed a lot as a club in that time and with Dad working there through those tough years I obviously had a close account of how tough they did it,” he said.

“But to see the kind of footy they’re playing now and some of the young guys coming through, it’s a really tough brand of footy that I’d be excited to play in.

“But I’m also realistic enough to know that before I can even think of getting to that level I’ve got a lot of hard work in front of me.

“It will take a lot of patience and effort but I’m excited about the opportunity.”

With AFL approval, Maynard has secretly trained with Melbourne’s VFL team and completed some rigorous physical testing with fitness coach Daniel Cross.

He said it was always a dream to play football at a high level, but basketball has previously been the priority.

“The last few years I have been umming and ahhing over footy and I spoke to a fair few clubs in that time and have met with some,” he said.

“But I always knew in my heart of hearts that at some stage I was pretty keen to give footy a go.

“Thankfully Melbourne presented a good opportunity at the perfect time.”

Recruiting chief Taylor said the club was excited about his potential and character.

“You have got to have that drive and we think he has got that because he is coming from a long way back after seven years out of the game, but we think he has got some chance (to make it at AFL level),” Taylor said.

“All clubs are in the same boat, you have got to look for an edge, an advantage, and somewhere where you can potentially add some real talent to your group outside of what you are given through the draft to try and compete with the likes of GWS, you have got to look elsewhere.”