NATIONAL recruiting manager Jason Taylor says the club was rapt to bring in Clayton Oliver (Murray Bushrangers) and Sam Weideman (Eastern Ranges) with its two top 10 picks in this year’s NAB AFL Draft.
Related: Clayton highlights | Weideman highlights | Roos | Taylor
Speaking shortly after the Draft had finished at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Tuesday night, Taylor said Melbourne was delighted to snare powerful midfielder Oliver at No.4 and tall forward Weideman at No.9.
“We bid on Callum [Mills, who was selected by the Swans at No.3] and it was very close in [regards to] those two players (Oliver and Mills) that we rated as the top midfielders in the draft,” he told Dee TV.
“It was outstanding for us to bring Clayton in and we think he’s going to add some real aggression and strength to our midfield.
“He’s also got that ability to go forward, mark the ball and hit the scoreboard and I think that’s really critical in the way we view our midfielders. They just need to be able to contribute in other areas.”
Taylor said it was also important to snare another key forward.
“It’s been spoken a lot that we need another player to partner Jesse Hogan, but we just needed another partner there and Sam certainly provides that target,” he said.
“He’s a strong mark, is nice and clean, and he keeps his eye on the footy and it’s a terrific trait he holds.
“He has courage in the air and courage in the ground ball – he’s a great character.”
Taylor said Mitch King, who was selected at No.42 from the Murray Bushrangers, was claimed as the club needed another young ruckman.
“We thought it was a good opportunity to grab Mitch,” he said.
“He’s a really strong character and he plays the ruck role in the right way, but he’s got a fair way to go to develop.
“But we can be patient now we’ve got him on our list and we can work with him and I’m sure he’s the type of person who’s going to come in and give it his best shot.”
Taylor said Hulett was capable of playing at either end of the ground.
“I saw him first play in the under 16 national championships and he was more of a third tall,” he said.
“He didn’t get the continuity this year … but he played some senior footy for Bonbeach, before he came back and played for the Stingrays, so we covered most of his games [this year].
“He played in the young guns game and actually played down back for a fair part of that and showed some potential in that area. He’s a key position player we might be able to mould at either end.”
