Sanders backs Melbourne move to boost his rookie AFL year

A Launceston Blues trio has bounced off each other before Monday’s AFL draft. But North Launceston product Ryley Sanders believes his early shift to Melbourne can be an advantage.

The city of Launceston's draft prospects James Leake, Ryley Sanders, Colby McKercher and Arie Schoenmaker at UTAS Stadium on Thursday. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

North Launceston high end draft prospect Ryley Sanders believes two seasons of “having to do things myself” in Melbourne will help him hit the ground running in his first AFL season.

While the city’s three other draft young guns – Launceston Blues juniors Colby McKercher, James Leake and Arie Schoenmaker – have bounced off each other in their journey to Monday’s national draft, Sanders opted to go to school in Melbourne and play for Sandringham.

It’s proven a wise decision with the Dragons winning back-to-back Coates Talent League crowns, and Sanders also claimed the Larke Medal as the national championships’ best and fairest, helping guide Allies to a maiden title.

Sanders said the independence and maturity he’s developed in Melbourne will be a springboard for his rookie AFL season.

Launceston’s four draft hopes converged on UTAS Stadium on Thursday to address media before the big night.

Ryley Sanders playing for Allies this season. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I definitely feel like it’s an advantage. When you’re in Tassie you have to move, it’s not like the Melbourne boys where they have a chance to stay at home,” Sanders said.

“Going away from family and friends and having to do it myself will hold me in good stead. Hopefully I can go into an AFL environment and worry about training, rather than being homesick.

“There’s been plenty of young talent come through in recent years from Tassie, but Launceston in particular.”

So is there something in the water in the city?

“I just think all the boys are really hard workers. The programs are really good, but it’s up to the individuals to get the best out of themselves.

“Sandringham also has a really good program, but the reason they get so many players drafted is the boys are really driven.

“If you’re a good player that’s really driven and hard working, you can succeed in any environment.”

Sandringham talent manager Mark Wheeler told the Mercury that being a bottom ager last year, then learning good habits to become a leader this year, had helped him.

Sanders learned in 2022 he needed to improve his running and endurance, as well as his diet.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned this year is what you put into it is what you get out,” he said. “I’ve put in a lot of work in pre season, just trying to get fitter and working on my running, looking after the little things like diet and recovery.

North Launceston draft prospect Ryley Sanders speaks to media at UTAS Stadium on Thursday. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

“Definitely diet was hard, especially in the boarding house because you don’t really choose what you eat, it’s already made for you.

“As good as it was (to win a premiership with Sandringham) as a bottom ager, this year was a bit more special because I had a bigger role.

“I thought I was one of the leaders in the team, had a bigger role playing in the midfield.

“I’ve been happy to be pretty consistent, and play my best footy in those really important national championships games.”

While Sanders has left home to pursue his dream, the Launceston Blues trio feel they’ve benefited greatly out of pushing and learning from each other.

“Looking back now playing juniors, we’ve pushed each other to be the best we can be,” Leake said.

“Even this year, having the higher training standards with guys like Colby around is something that has lifted the whole Devils.

“We’re all quite driven individuals to be honest, and that talent has been nurtured really well through Launnie and the Devils.”

McKercher is near certain to go top five in the draft, but said it’s been handy having two other players around Blues training to raise the bar.

“We sometimes try and outdo each other a little bit,” he said.

“It’s really good to have two good mates as well, we’ve created a good friendship over the last five or six years.

“We push each other to get better every day and it’s really held us in good stead.”