MELBOURNE used pick 11 in Wednesday’s Mid-Season Rookie Draft to select forward Luker Kentfield.
The 194cm key forward has a strong contested marking game priding himself on his aggression, strength and aerial ability.
Hailing from Western Australia, Kentfield played his footy with Subiaco in the Western Australian Football League (WAFL) where he exceled in the highly competitive competition.
“Luker is a player that we’ve tracked last year and into this year. Last year we had two early selections and were really committed to Kynan Brown, a father-son,” Jason Taylor told Melbourne Media.
“We went into this year keen to follow [Luker] up, which we’ve done so and we feel he plays in the right way.
“Kentfield is a key forward who’s playing league footy. He’s not had a lot of continuity but he’s back playing and plays with a real presence.
“We’re looking at [him] as a long-term prospect. We feel he needs a really good conditioning block. He’s a key forward. Simply and purely a key forward and he plays with aggression.
“He was probably unlucky last year but here he is, he’s worked hard, he’s got his opportunity and we’re wrapped to have him.”
Playing with the likes of Melbourne’s very own Koltyn Tholstrup at Subiaco, Kentfield will have a familiar face welcoming him to the Club.
“I know Koltyn is pretty thrilled to be honest, they’ll live together as well with Geoff Porz so that’s a nice little bonus,” Taylor added.
“He’s had that league experience like Koltyn did last year so that will hold him in good.”
