Tasmania bounces back in rookie draft after horror national draft

No Tasmanian was taken in last night’s AFL draft but the state is finally on the board, with four locals given a chance at the big league.

Football. Devils player Matt McGuinness ahead of the game against the Oakleigh Chargers. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

AFTER a shocking national draft, Tasmania has fared much better in the rookie draft with four locals selected.

Former Clarence and North Melbourne running defender Mitch Hibberd will have a second shot at the AFL after being selected by Essendon with pick 10, while former TSL Tiger key forward Hugh Dixon was rookie listed by Fremantle after being cut by the Dockers at the end of the season.

Mitch O’Neill, who was overlooked in the national draft to everyone’s surprise, finally got his name called out with West Coast taking the North Hobart dual under-18 All-Australian with pick 25.

And, as revealed earlier by the Mercury, North Melbourne announced it has rookie-listed Lauderdale defender Matt McGuinness as an academy selection.

The 19-year-old missed out on being picked up in 2018, but according to North’s National Recruiting Manager, Mark Finnigan, he worked incredibly hard to realise his AFL dream.

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“It’s a real credit to Matt, the Tassie Devils’ program and our Next Generation Academy, which gives us exclusive access to players with indigenous and multicultural backgrounds,” Finnigan said.

“Our NGA has allowed us the scope to pick Matt as a Category B Rookie and we’re delighted to have him at Arden St.

“We hope young boys and girls in Tasmania can now see the pathway from our NGA to elite football, with the likes of Tarryn, Mia King (AFLW) and now Matt, all playing at North Melbourne.

“With Michael Firrito recently appointed head coach of our NGA, we’re really excited to see what the future holds and hope more talented kids will join our NGA.”

Matt McGuinness playing for the Devils. Picture: SOLSTICE DIGITAL

McGuinness played for the Allies alongside Tarryn Thomas last year, and has plenty of upside.

“He’s an athletic, tall defender who showed great improvement this year, and was a strong performer in the NAB league as a 19-year-old,” Finnigan said.

“We feel there’s plenty of potential in him and development. It’s a great story of persistence and he really worked at his game to improve and put himself in a position to get on an AFL list.”

MORE TO COME