Will Setterfield set to be taken in top two picks of 2016 AFL draft
HIGHLY regarded Giants Academy player Will Setterfield can’t lose at Friday night’s national draft.
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HIGHLY regarded Giants Academy player Will Setterfield can’t lose at Friday night’s national draft.
He’ll be heading to either the club he grew up barracking for, Essendon, or premiership favourite GWS.
Setterfield and fellow Riverina talent Harry Perryman took some time out to enjoy the fresh air and views at Katoomba on Tuesday ahead of Friday’s draft in Sydney.
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This year’s lottery is one of the most open in many years with the No. 1 spot still up in the air just two days out. Dashing defender Andy McGrath and goalkicking midfielder Hugh McCluggage are the standouts and Setterfield is right in the mix for first picked honours.
If the Bombers call Setterfield at pick 1 the Giants are likely to take McGrath with their second pick and use their subsequent swag of selections (15, 37, 39, 45, 52, 55, 57, 58, 59 and 72) to bid for academy players including Perryman and Harrison Macreadie.
“It would be a great honour if I was called at No. 1,” Setterfield told the Daily Telegraph.
“I was a Bombers supporter growing up so if I ended up at Essendon it would be a great feeling. I’m relaxed at the moment but that will change by Friday.”
Like most young Essendon fans, Setterfield grew up idolising James Hird and at 190cm with blond hair he could be doing a good impersonation of the Bombers legend on the field in the coming years.
If it’s not the Bombers, the Giants will do very nicely. Setterfield has been part of the GWS academy for the past five years and would be catching up with a host of players he has grown up playing alongside at the NSW Rams including Jacob Hopper, Matt Flynn, Matt Kennedy and Harry Himmelberg.
“GWS would be a good club to be at,” Setterfield said.
“They’re on the right track and I know a few blokes there so if it turns out that way I’ll be happy.”
With the addition of Brett Deledio and the development of stars like Dylan Shiel, Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly, the Giants’ midfield will be tough to break into but Setterfield’s height would add a new look to their engine room.
“Midfield is where I’ve played most of my footy through the junior years,” Setterfield said.
“I’d like to think I could do the same at the AFL once I do the training and get used to that standard. I like Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps, who are the taller type modern-day footballer who I can model my game on.”
Perryman’s 2016 has provided the perfect preparation for the AFL, playing 10 interstate games for a host of different club and representative teams including the NSW Rams, GWS Academy, the Allies and Collingullie.
“It’s been flat-out this year,” Perryman said.
“But I’ve enjoyed it. GWS would be a good club to be at because I know so many of the players already.”
Originally published as Will Setterfield set to be taken in top two picks of 2016 AFL draft
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