Draft summary
“To finally get Bradshaw across the line and on our list has been the culmination of a pretty successful off-season. It’s been a really significant offseason for the footy club. We probably didn’t expect, going into last year, to lose both Mick and Hally so getting Braddy continues with that plan we originally had going into 2009. It gives us a chance to continue, more than anything else, that development path with Jesse White in that key forward role.”
Player comments
Pre-season draft
Selection No.4: Daniel Bradshaw
DOB: 21/11/78, Height: 191cm, Weight: 95kg
Recruited from: Brisbane Lions
“The role we want him to play is next to Jesse, similar to what Mick did. Braddy’s a different player to Mick but they both bring similar skills. They’re both goalkickers and they both help other players around them and bring them into the game. We’re happy for him to play close to goal and I think that’s when he plays his best footy and when he’s most dangerous.”
Rookie draft
Selection No.10: Henry Playfair
DOB: 22/01/83, Height: 198cm, Weight: 97kg
Recruited from: Geelong/Sydney Swans
“Henry had a pretty successful first half-year with us and played some pretty good football so it’s really been injuries. We made a commitment to him providing he ticked off a few areas and he’s trained extremely hard. He’s got through that and he gets his chance on the rookie list. Guys like that size don’t just fall out of trees; being six-foot-six really helped him. He’s got experience, he’s well liked around the club and it’s pleasing for him that he gets another chance.”
Selection No.26: Pass
Selection No.39: Pass
Selection No.52: Pass
Selection No.63: Chris McKaigue (international rookie)
DOB: 13/07/89, Height: 191cm, Weight: 80kg
Recruited from: Derry, Ireland
“He’s very quick. You’ve seen those nice evasive skills that Tadhg [Kennelly] brought so he’ll probably play a similar sort of role, that half-back role that Tadhg’s been playing. There’s no urgency for him to play next year. We just want him to develop at a reasonable rate and then at some point, hopefully he plays AFL footy.”
Selection No.71: Nathan Gordon (NSW scholarship)
DOB: 20/10/90, Height: 185cm, Weight: 83kg
Recruited from: East Coast Eagles
“Probably 12 months ago, I would have had my doubts as to whether he’d be on the list but… he’s been able to train with us the whole year, he’s been able to play with us and he’s developed extraordinarily well. Next year’s obviously a critical year for him but he’s certainly improved significantly in the last 12 months.”
Selection No.75: Dylan McNeil (NSW pre-selection)
DOB: 20/03/91, Height: 178cm, Weight:75kg
Recruited from: Lavington/Murray Bushrangers
“We were surprised he didn’t go in the national draft. We originally hadn’t budgeted for anyone in the rookie draft… but that was an indication of how surprised we were. We thought he was a draftable player and to get him as a NSW pre-listed rookie is fantastic for us because we think he’s got some real attributes to play AFL footy.”
Selection No.77: Pass
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