This year’s AFL Draft has the potential to deliver the next wave of Sydney Swans champions, according to National Recruiting Manager Simon Dalrymple.
The recruitment teams of all 18 AFL clubs will meet at Marvel Stadium for the 2019 AFL Draft on Wednesday and Thursday.
For Dalrymple and company, it’ll present the opportunity to select Sydney’s first pick five since club great Jarrad McVeigh in 2002, as well as selections 25, 32 and 44.
Dalrymple has plenty of faith in the talent on this year’s market.
“I think it’s a pretty strong draft pool,” Dalrymple told SwansTV.
“There are a lot of good midfielders. We’ve got picks in the top 10, 20s and early 30s, and we’re confident we’ll get good players with those picks. There’s a good mix of midfielders, half-backs and rebounding defenders, so we’re pretty optimistic about it.
“I think the depth in the midfield group and defenders – more the medium defenders – are the areas that are strongest. There are different types of quality defenders: attacking, rebounding as well as shutdown defenders.
“We’re confident about getting a very good player with pick five and, because of the depth of the draft pool, those mid-range picks are also likely to add some real strength to our list.”
The Gold Coast Suns are expected to snap up highly touted Oakleigh Chargers midfielders Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson with the opening two picks of the draft.
When prompted on the star youngsters realistically in the Swans’ sights, Dalrymple rattled off Murray Bushrangers midfielder Lachlan Ash, Bendigo Pioneers utility Brodie Kemp, Gippsland Power on-baller Sam Flanders and Dandenong Stingrays defender Hayden Young.
Another young gun attracting plenty of hype in the lead-up to this year’s draft is East Fremantle’s Luke Jackson, who’s a hot chance to become the first ruckman secured in the top 10 since Brisbane recruited Billy Longer in 2011.
An exciting prospect standing at 199 centimetres and weighing 94 kilograms, Jackson gave up on a promising basketball career during the 2018 season in a push to realise his AFL dream.
Dalrymple is highly impressed with what he’s seen of the Western Australian big man.
“Luke is a unique player in terms of his follow-up; he’s like another midfielder,” Dalrymple said.
“He’s also a really good, quality young fella.
“I think he’ll go in the top 10 and he’s in our discussions this week.
“The rucks are always interesting and to have Dean Cox’s expertise with the ruck area is fantastic for our recruitment team.”
Sydney recruited Nick Blakey, James Rowbottom, Justin McInerney and Zac Foot at last year’s AFL Draft, before adding Durak Tucker, Harry Reynolds and Sam Wicks as rookies.
The Swans’ 2019 draft class will join the rest of the squad for pre-season training from next Monday.
Dalrymple says draft week makes for one of the most rewarding aspects of his job.
“One of the best things about the job is visiting young players’ homes and meeting their parents, because you’re able to satisfy their dreams,” Dalrymple said.
“They’re all dreaming of getting on an AFL list. It’s competitive and it’s not like a normal first job for these boys. It’s a great thrill for them and to see their enthusiasm for their future job is a really enjoyable part of my role.”
