Following the 2021 NAB AFL Draft, the Sydney Swans have welcomed new draftees Angus Sheldrick, Matthew Roberts, Corey Warner and Lachlan Rankin to the club.
On the opening night of the draft, and with the club’s Round One draft selection, the Swans selected Western Australian midfielder Angus Sheldrick with pick 18.
Sydney Swans General Manager of List Strategy and Recruitment Kinnear Beatson said that despite the 18-year-olds slow start to the season due to injury, he was impressed with his late season form and attitude.
“It’s fair to say Angus is a bit of a bolter given that he didn’t play a lot last year because of a fractured collarbone and then he missed pre-season and developed tonsillitis so his season got off to a slow start,” Beatson said on Fox Footy.
“But midway through, through to the finals and the National Championships, we thought his form was outstanding.
“He is a rotund little player but is as ‘hard as a cats head’, really good contested ball winner but also gets out into some space, gets some loose ball which is important and has a penetrating left foot kick.
“But to us he seems like one of these kids that if you challenge him to something, he will prove to you that you were wrong and that’s a great attribute to have in a young player.”
The Swans then selected Roberts, Warner and Rankin on the second night of the draft.
South Australian prospect Roberts, a hard-working midfielder with an ability to play forward, was selected with pick 34.
Warner, brother of Sydney Swans midfielder Chad Warner, was selected with pick 40. The 18 year old is a well-balanced midfielder who can play both inside and out and provides explosive bursts in and around the contest and is known for playing with high intensity from start to finish.
“Corey is nothing like Chad and more of a hybrid-mid who plays both inside and out,” Beatson said.
“He had a really interesting year, starting off in the colts for East Fremantle and working his way into the senior side before having to go back to college footy. He came back to play more senior footy and finished off the year playing with WA in the National Championships.
“He is a really strong gut runner. He needs a little bit of work to do on his kicking, which he is aware of.
“His link with Chad, that is a good story and it helps.”
Rankin was the club’s final selection and pick 58. Rankin is a versatile utility who has shown a strong ability to play outside and is capable of playing as a running half-back.
The 2021 NAB AFL Rookie Draft will occur on Friday November 26, 2021.
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