Childhood dreams could become a reality this week at the annual AFL national draft, as clubs select the best young prospects in the country to join their teams.
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Wimmera products Tom Berry, Matt Lloyd and Charlie Wilson all hope to gain selection.
The first round will be drafted on Thursday night, followed by the remaining four rounds on Friday morning. The preseason and rookie drafts will also take place on Friday, providing a second opportunity for those not selected in the national draft.
Greater Western Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said Tom Berry was likely to be selected on Friday.
“The draft is a funny thing, anything can happen on the day. But Tom certainly has the talent to get picked up,” Partington said. “We’ve had quite a few discussions with AFL clubs about Tom, and we’re confident that he will end up on an AFL list by the end of Friday, either as a draftee or a rookie.”
Berry, who played his junior football with the Horsham Saints, said he was willing to move anywhere for the opportunity to fulfill his dream.
“It’s all very unknown at this stage,” he said. “I’m definitely happy to go anywhere. I’ve had a few interstate clubs talking to me, so you never know … I could end up in Western Australia by Friday. It’s a pretty crazy time.”
Partington was also hopeful that Horsham Demon Matty Lloyd and Warrack Eagle Charlie Wilson would get picked.
Wilson has had a terrific season in the TAC Cup, leading the league goal-kicking as a medium-sized forward.
Lloyd fought through an untimely injury at the start of the season to play some great football later in the season, and was invited to the national draft combine last month. Lloyd’s brother Jake, now a best and fairest winner at the Sydney Swans, was taken in the rookie draft in 2013.
Partington said he was hopeful both players would get onto an AFL list, whether it was through the draft system this year or in the future.
“Both of those boys have a lot of talent and are very hard workers,” Partington said.
“A lot depends on what AFL clubs are looking for.
“It’s an incredibly competitive marketplace where only maybe 70 players in the country are drafted, so it will be tough for them. But there’s always options for guys that don’t get picked up. It’s not the end.”
