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Anton Tohill

Whispering_Jack
in Melbourne Demons

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The 1989 AFL National Draft was never considered a great draft in terms of producing “name” footballers. Richmond kicked the draft off with its selection of Anthony Banik from Won Wron Woodside who’s career fell just short of 50 games. The Eagles snared a winner at #4 in Peter Matera while North Melbourne plucked another Sandgroper in Mark Brayshaw at 6. He managed only 32 games but managed to father three young players on current AFL lists, two of who were top three draft picks. 

For the Melbourne Football Club, that draft was a complete disaster with the selections drawing blanks across the board. However, one of the players selected at pick 85, a young Gaelic footballer from County Londonderry, Northern Ireland lasted a year and was cut at a time clubs had to reduce their list by 10 with the TAC Cup replacing the under-19s. He was Anthony Tohill, a versatile sportsman who went back home, became a Gaelic football champion, tried out for Manchester United at soccer at one stage and later became a star for his country in the  International Rules Series.

The late Jimmy Stynes called the club’s decision to cut the 193cm Tohill as “one of the biggest mistakes ever".

Now his son Anton is here trying his luck at the AFL Draft Combine which commenced today.

According to AFL Draft Guru, Kevin Sheahan, the 198cm Anton is a “chip off the block” who “looks "so natural with his ball drop, runs 2.95 for 20m and has a lovely running gait.

"He's probably more a key-position option than a ruckman."

Given that the Demons have already signed two Category B Rookies and haven’t moved to re-embrace the Irish experiment, it’s unlikely that they will be able to snare the younger Tohill but with those attributes and the family history, it’s unlikely that he’ll be allowed off the leash as easily as his now famous father.

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    51 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

    The 1989 AFL National Draft was never considered a great draft in terms of producing “name” footballers. Richmond kicked the draft off with its selection of Anthony Banik from Won Wron Woodside who’s career fell just short of 50 games. The Eagles snared a winner at #4 in Peter Matera while North Melbourne plucked another Sandgroper in Mark Brayshaw at 6. He managed only 32 games but managed to father three young players on current AFL lists, two of who were top three draft picks. 

    For the Melbourne Football Club, that draft was a complete disaster with the selections drawing blanks across the board. However, one of the players selected at pick 85, a young Gaelic footballer from County Londonderry, Northern Ireland lasted a year and was cut at a time clubs had to reduce their list by 10 with the TAC Cup replacing the under-19s. He was Anthony Tohill, a versatile sportsman who went back home, became a Gaelic football champion, tried out for Manchester United at soccer at one stage and later became a star for his country in the  International Rules Series.

    The late Jimmy Stynes called the club’s decision to cut the 193cm Tohill as “one of the biggest mistakes ever".

    Now his son Anton is here trying his luck at the AFL Draft Combine which commenced today.

    According to AFL Draft Guru, Kevin Sheahan, the 198cm Anton is a “chip off the block” who “looks "so natural with his ball drop, runs 2.95 for 20m and has a lovely running gait.

    "He's probably more a key-position option than a ruckman."

    Given that the Demons have already signed two Category B Rookies and haven’t moved to re-embrace the Irish experiment, it’s unlikely that they will be able to snare the younger Tohill but with those attributes and the family history, it’s unlikely that he’ll be allowed off the leash as easily as his now famous father.

    It would be gr8 2 have another Irish player on our list.

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    I remember living in Ireland in the early 90s and Anthony playing for Derry. He was a beast in the GAA and the main man when they won the All Ireland in 93

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    What a great story this would be.

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    As the son of Anthony and at 198cm it's like making a tower out of a tohill. 

    When does trade week start again? 

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    1 hour ago, Skuit said:

    As the son of Anthony and at 198cm it's like making a tower out of a tohill. 

    When does trade week start again? 

    Out: Skuit

    In: Stuie

     

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    I remember Sean White playing full back.

    Hell, he was very good and just the sort of man to nullify the best like Gary Ablett Snr.

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    15 hours ago, Moonshadow said:

    So can he be signed by any club as a Cat 2 rookie or must he go in the draft?

    Cat 2 rookie (as long as he hasn't been playing afl for any junior clubs which he wouldn't have in Ireland)

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    As you can have 3 Cat B rookies you would think the club would take a chance on this kid unless they think he will not make it, or have someone else in mind.

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    3 hours ago, Theo said:

    As you can have 3 Cat B rookies you would think the club would take a chance on this kid unless they think he will not make it, or have someone else in mind.

    Worth a punt. Would like us to have an Irish connection again.

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