CHANGES 2006: THE NATIONAL DRAFT - PART THREE

by The Oracle

Today's National Draft saw four new faces added to the mix of players at the Melbourne Football Club. The club's recruiters were looking for mobile, versatile footballers among the outstanding array of talent available this year - and they came away pleased with the results of their endeavours given the choices available to them.

MFC list manager Craig Cameron was certainly very happy to get James Frawley and Ricky Petterd who the club really rated highly.

Frawley is the nephew of former St. Kilda footballer and Richmond coach Danny Frawley and like his famous uncle is a key defender.

Petterd was the best and fairest player in Division Two at the national championships (an honour that went to Brad Green in 1999) and was made All-Australian after the carnival.

Colin Garland is a fast rising youngster from Tasmania which has been a great recruiting ground for the club in the past. He played two games with the Tassie Devils VFL side late in the season and was among the best players in his team's demolition of Box Hill Hawks in the final round. Earlier in the year he booted ten goals at full forward in a club game.

Isack Weetra who is a real smoky who, like Matthew Whelan, wasn't mentioned in despatches at all but who is already generating a lot of excitement among Demon fans in anticipation of his arrival from country SA which has produced rising star Jared Rivers and Daniel Bell in recent years.

The club's four recruits come from four different states and all are capable of playing in a number of different positions on the ground. With pre season training well under way, it should not be long before we see the new crop of Demons in action.

In the meantime, I've taken the following descriptions of the recruits from Inside Football's Draft Lift out (with the exception of Weetra whose profile comes from a Demonlander) followed by the Herald Sun's profile: -

National Draft Selection 12 James Frawley - Tall Defender, North Ballarat, Vic DOB: 20/09/88 Ht: 192 cm Wt: 81kg

"Very, very athletic tall. Had a great year for us and is one of those kids who has a great athletic base. He can play at either end of the ground, can play outside, can play inside ... he's a fair package," said North Ballarat coach Gerard FitzGerald.

Vic Country Representative 2006. From East Ballarat FC.

"Athletic defender who provides good run and is skilful. Nephew of former Saint and Tigers coach Danny." - Herald Sun

National Draft Selection 30 Ricky Petterd - Medium Defender, Broadbeach, Qld DOB: 24/07/88 Ht: 185 cm Wt: 76kg

"He has a fantastic carnival and dominated off half back and read the play very well. Good user of the ball, has exceptional courage and is a good size for a half back," said Queensland under-18 coach Craig McCrae.

Qld Representative, All-Australian 2006. Won Harrison Medal for best player in Division Two national championships. AIS-AFL graduate 2005.

"Classy and versatile player who won the Harrison Medal (best and fairest Div 2) in U18 championships. Injury prevented testing at the draft camp." - Herald Sun

National Draft Selection 46 Colin Garland - Tall Forward, Tassie Mariners, Tas DOB: 28/04/88 Ht: 191 cm Wt: 85kg

"Colin's a bit of a surprise packet because he hasn't played much under-18 footy and only a few VFL games. He came into the system late and was a bit reluctant to come but through encouragement through the North Hobart footy club he had a go at senior level and later for the Mariners in the under-18's. He plays forward, mostly at full forward but I see him as being a third forward type player at AFL level. As he matures he could develop into key position and we believe he has enormous upside given the limited football he's played," said Tassie Devils general manager Scott Wade.

Tas Representative 2006. From North Hobart FC.

Pacy, leading forward who broke into the Tassie Devils team late in the season." - Herald Sun

National Draft Selection 62 Isack Weetra - Utility, Port Adelaide Magpies, SA DOB: 27/02/89 Ht: 184 cm Wt: 76kg

"It's been a very busy year so far for Isaac. Having left family and friends in January to relocate to Adelaide to play with the Magpies and complete Year 12, he was on his way to South Africa in February for a 2 week tour with the AFL Indigenous program. A product of the 2005 PAMFC Country Football Academy, Isack is fast developing into a very creative running defender who can play on a tall or small forward. One of Isack's strengths is his ability to read the play and set up attacking thrusts from defence with rebound run and sound foot skills. Isack is working hard on his running endurance and with time, will be able to push into the midfield when needed, adding another dimension to his game," quote from Timmy on Demonland.

Member of the Australian Indigenous Tour of South Africa 2006. From West Whyalla FC.

"Well-grounded player who go forward or back. Toured South Africa with the Australian indigenous team this year." - Herald Sun

Following the draft, the club's playing list currently stands as follows: -

MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - PLAYING LIST:

SENIOR LIST:

Clint Bartram, Matthew Bate, Daniel Bell, Clint Bizzell, Nathan Brown, Cameron Bruce, Simon Buckley, Nathan Carroll, Aaron Davey, Lynden Dunn, Ryan Ferguson, James Frawley, Colin Garland, Simon Godfrey, Brad Green, Ben Holland, Mark Jamar, Chris Johnson, Paul Johnson, Travis Johnstone, Nathan Jones, James McDonald, Brock McLean, Brad Miller, Brent Moloney, Heath Neville, Michael Newton, Ricky Petterd, Byron Pickett, Jared Rivers, Russell Robertson, Colin Sylvia, Daniel Ward, Matthew Warnock, Isack Weetra, Paul Wheatley, Matthew Whelan, Jeff White

VETERAN LIST:

David Neitz, Adem Yze.

ROOKIE LIST:

Jace Bode, Daniel Hughes, Shane Neaves [1 vacancy]

As I mentioned in my earlier report, there is still an outside chance that another player might be delisted to make way for a Pre Season Draft choice but this appears highly unlikely.