Short Players Overlooked In AFL Draft
It took a long time during the AFL draft for a team to pick Garry Moss, Hawthorn took the small midfielder at pick 56. But he was lucky compared to a great many other small players. Teams went athletic and big, while star smalls missed out. It wasn't just the unfortunate Caruso who will have to wait for the rookie draft for another chance, as there were a lot more small players who were overlooked.
South Australia's Tom Hurley was a surprise omission. One of the SA teams will probably want him in the rookie draft.
Evan Duryea, who represented NSW at the Under 18 games and has also been playing in Queensland, was unlucky not to go late in the draft. Craig Bird also missed and will probably go to the Swans in the rookie draft now.
While Moss did make it, Shawn Colbung of Western Australia was not picked.
Then there was a plethora of Victorian players, including Fortunato Caruso whose many awards and huge possession numbers couldn't sway teams to look past his listed height of 168cm.
Geelong used their last pick on Simon Hogan, but it could have been Jackson Sheringham who was picked there instead, Sheringham might be a rookie chance now for the Cats. Ben Ross and Robert Eddy of the Gippsland Power should get a look in the rookie draft. Nathan Batsanis helped his team win the TAC Cup but it wasn't enough to get drafted, Dean Kelly also went undrafted. Leigh Adams was another small that missed.
There was also Hayden Skipworth, delisted by the Crows and there was some interest from other clubs, but he will now be a chance to go in the preseason draft.
There were a few surprises among the taller prospects as Tom Collier and Sam Jacobs went undrafted, but that was more of an exception to how the draft went.
Danyle Pearce was a player that wasn't taken in the AFL National Draft, and things worked out for him, so there could be some future stars of the AFL among the players who were overlooked on Saturday, but get another chance on December 12 with the preseason and rookie drafts.
South Australia's Tom Hurley was a surprise omission. One of the SA teams will probably want him in the rookie draft.
Evan Duryea, who represented NSW at the Under 18 games and has also been playing in Queensland, was unlucky not to go late in the draft. Craig Bird also missed and will probably go to the Swans in the rookie draft now.
While Moss did make it, Shawn Colbung of Western Australia was not picked.
Then there was a plethora of Victorian players, including Fortunato Caruso whose many awards and huge possession numbers couldn't sway teams to look past his listed height of 168cm.
Geelong used their last pick on Simon Hogan, but it could have been Jackson Sheringham who was picked there instead, Sheringham might be a rookie chance now for the Cats. Ben Ross and Robert Eddy of the Gippsland Power should get a look in the rookie draft. Nathan Batsanis helped his team win the TAC Cup but it wasn't enough to get drafted, Dean Kelly also went undrafted. Leigh Adams was another small that missed.
There was also Hayden Skipworth, delisted by the Crows and there was some interest from other clubs, but he will now be a chance to go in the preseason draft.
There were a few surprises among the taller prospects as Tom Collier and Sam Jacobs went undrafted, but that was more of an exception to how the draft went.
Danyle Pearce was a player that wasn't taken in the AFL National Draft, and things worked out for him, so there could be some future stars of the AFL among the players who were overlooked on Saturday, but get another chance on December 12 with the preseason and rookie drafts.
