Melbourne star Dom Tyson says greater opportunities await of GWS players move away

DOM Tyson says greater opportunities await GWS’s clutch of prized youngsters should they follow his move home to Victoria.

AFL - Port Adelaide v Melbourne at Adelaide Oval. Dom tyson celebrates his goal with dean Kent. Photo Sarah Reed.

MELBOURNE midfielder Dom Tyson says greater AFL opportunities await Greater Western Sydney’s clutch of prized youngsters should they follow his move home to Victoria.

Tyson struggled for games in his two seasons at the Giants but has become a star for the Demons, booting two goals from 32 disposals in Sunday’s loss to Port Adelaide.

A handful of Giants are coming out of contract with Carlton and the Western Bulldogs linked to swingman Kristian Jaksch and several clubs led by Richmond and Melbourne keen on powerful midfielder Dylan Shiel.

No.2 pick Jono O’Rourke is yet to commit beyond this year and of that trio Shiel, who is contracted for next season, is the only staple in Leon Cameron’s team.

“I’m sure many of them, if given the opportunity to get home and wanted to get home and find a good place, would play good footy,” Tyson said.

“There’s a lot of high draft picks up there that probably haven’t quite come on, just by the fact there’s so many youngsters up there.”

Tyson, 21, managed just 13 AFL games at GWS and 12 of the 15 matches he played in 2013 were in the reserves.

“I haven’t regretted the move one bit. From the minute I was traded I was happy to be back home and to get settled in back in Melbourne,” he said.

GWS young gun Dylan Shiel gives off a handball. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper

“I think my footy has reflected that as well. There’s obviously a lot of Melbourne-born boys up there that might be playing a bit more twos footy than they’d like.”

The top-three pick and Oakleigh Chargers product did not seek the trade but was swayed by Melbourne coach Paul Roos and the Giants were happy to do the deal, keen to secure rights to silky midfielder Josh Kelly.

“I’ve enjoyed my footy the most I’ve enjoyed my footy in the AFL this year,” Tyson said.

“It’s been good to be able to come back to Melbourne and back home and settle in and play consistent footy.”

Dom Tyson has been a revelation since moving to Melbourne. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

There are also growing fears one of the Giants’ three-pronged attack — Tom Boyd, Jon Patton and Jeremy Cameron — could return to Victoria as soon as next season.

A list manager recently said all clubs were closely monitoring the Giants reserves.

“Watching some of the boys who are in contract, I wouldn’t be surprised if (the Giants) do a Dom Tyson again. They’ve got so much quality to trade off, you’ve just got to keep an open mind,” he said.

He said it would be a “challenge” to prise contracted players out of GWS given its diminished value of early draft picks.

“They hold all the aces. It’s an impatient society now with the young fellas. The days of doing a three to four-year apprenticeship are gone.”

Originally published as Melbourne star Dom Tyson says greater opportunities await of GWS players move away