AFL Draft: Last chance in Rookie Draft today after snub for Tassie stars

Tasmania’s top football hopes faced a nervous wait on Friday morning after the state had no player taken in one of the most unpredictable AFL Drafts in Melbourne last night.

IT was a restless night followed by a nervous wait this morning for Tasmania’s top football hopes after the state had no player taken in one of the most unpredictable AFL Drafts in Melbourne last night.

As a two-time All-Australian player, midfield gun Mitch O’Neill was expected to be taken in Round 2 or 3 and his Tasmania Devils’ teammates Matt McGuinness and Jared Dakin were also rated as chances to be taken by one of the 18 clubs.

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However, of the 800 players who nominated for the draft, and 200 players tested at the request of AFL clubs, only 65 were picked.

That leaves the AFL Rookie Draft today as their remaining chance to get on a list for 2020.

Mitch O’Neill. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“We are shocked and bitterly disappointed but there still remains potential for a rookie opportunity for our boys,” said Tasmania Devils state manager Craig Notman.

“We are extremely hopeful of an opportunity tomorrow for Mitch — he is a quality individual and footballer and he deserves his chance. He’s a two-time All-Australian and in the NAB Team of the Year. He has done everything he can and we really feel for him.”

The AFL’s national talent manager Kevin Sheehan said all hope is not lost.

“There are about 25 to 30 picks in the Rookie Draft, so there is still an opportunity for the boys who haven’t been selected yet,” Sheehan said.

“At least the Rookie Draft is tomorrow [today]. In the past it would have been two or three months away so the wait is just one more night. But it’s certainly going to be a nervous wait for them — it’s tough on the kids who were close.”

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St Kilda, Carlton, West Coast, Hawthorn, Adelaide, Sydney, North Melbourne, Fremantle and Port Adelaide all passed in the final stages of Round 4 of the draft.

Sheehan said AFL clubs could be leaving spots open on their senior lists to elevate a rookie in-season or keep a place vacant for the AFL Mid-Season Draft, or possibly to have more rookies on their lists.

“The message is it might have been the first time you have been up for the draft, but it’s not the last time,” Sheehan said.

“Keep working at it, work on your craft, believe in yourself, overcome the disappointment, put the head down and you’ll come back.

“It’s not the end of the line, it’s not the big pen through your name.

“Clubs think you’ve got the talent but there’s something obviously missing in their view on what they need to put you on their primary list.

“Those who were close will probably have their day tomorrow.”