Waratah star Abe Ankers moves on from AFL draft disappointment, focuses on playing for Aspley Hornets in NEAFL next season

STAR Waratah midfielder Abe Ankers may have missed out on the AFL draft, but he isn’t letting that get him down ahead of joining up with the Aspley Hornets next year.

Abe Ankers has moved on from his AFL draft disappointment as he focuses on getting Waratah into the NTFL finals, before playing for Aspley Hornets in the NEAFL next year. Picture: AFLNT MEDIA

STAR Waratah midfielder Abe Ankers may have missed out on the AFL draft, but he isn’t letting that get him down ahead of joining up with the Aspley Hornets next year.

The 24-year-old has been a standout for both Waratah and NT Thunder, earning the 2019 NEAFL Team of the Year captaincy honours.

“I’m not really disappointed in not being selected, I sort of expected it to turn out as it did,” Ankers told the NT News.

“I would have loved to be selected and would love to be in contention again next year but I don’t have much to complain about.

“I don’t know what the future holds but I’m enjoying playing now. I just have to train hard and perform without expecting selection. If I do that these opportunities will come.”

Ankers has signed with Aspley for the upcoming NEAFL season, a competition he has only previously competed in with the now-defunct NT Thunder.

“I’ve pretty much played all of my state league footy for Thunder so it will be different,” Ankers said.

“That’s just how things go though and I am really thrilled, really looking forward to be going down there.

“I’m 100 per cent motivated to perform for them, they’ve given me a really good opportunity and I plan on repaying that.”

Ankers kicked four goals and was one of Waratah’s best in its 32-point win over Wanderers at Gardens Oval yesterday.