MELBOURNE has finalised its 2012 list after selecting Jai Sheahan, Tom Couch, James Magner and Leigh Williams in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

What national recruiting manager Barry Prendergast told melbournefc.com.au ...

“We went in with a clear focus of what we wanted to achieve and we did that. It was a fairly open draft. There were a lot of players from a lot of different backgrounds, so it was an interesting Rookie Draft. [We selected] two talls and two inside midfielders - three really strong bodies and two especially ready to go. And one who won’t be too far down the track - it’s not like we have to put a body on him. And Jai, we see has tremendous upside and he’s got a good frame to be able to bulk up and play at the level. They’ve all got their challenges - it’s a Rookie Draft after all - but from a list perspective, we’re really pleased with what we’ve got.”

Selection No.6 - Jai Sheahan
From: Newtown-Chilwell/Geelong Falcons  
D-O-B: 27/1/93
Height: 195cm
Weight: 82kg

Sheahan is an athletic key position player. He has excellent foot skills and was coached by Melbourne development coach Aaron Greaves at Geelong Falcons. 

What Prendergast says ...
“Jai is from Geelong Falcons and has been training with us. He is 195cm and a very talented tall. He is a good mark and an excellent kick and decision-maker. He played centre half-forward this year and won Geelong’s best and fairest. We think he can play back. His running has been really good since he’s been here. It was a matter of getting a player at this pick with tremendous upside. As a tall, they’re a bit harder to find. We’ve taken a lot of young talls, but it’s one of those areas you can’t have too many players in. So we were pleased to pick up Jai with our first pick.”

No.24 - Tom Couch
From: Bell Park/Collingwood VFL
D-O-B: 17/6/88
Height: 177cm
Weight: 79kg

Couch played VFL football for Collingwood and was watched closely by new senior coach Mark Neeld, when he was at the Magpies. Couch is the son of 1989 Brownlow Medallist Paul. He is an inside midfielder, possesses a strong body and is a clearance specialist. Couch also has good endurance.

What Prendergast says ...
“Tom’s been training on with us. He’s the son of Paul Couch, who won the 1989 Brownlow Medal. Tom has been playing VFL for Collingwood. He is an excellent stoppage player and is also running really well in our pre-season. He’s really impressed the coaching staff, so we were really keen to get him on board to add to our group.”

No.42 - James Magner 
From: Frankston Dolphins/Sandringham Zebras
D-O-B: 12/8/87
Height: 180cm
Weight: 86kg

Magner is a 24-year-old who has shone in the VFL. He is a clearance specialist with a relentless attack on the footy.

What Prendergast says ...
“James was selected from Sandringham Zebras. He’s been a dominant player at that level and is an excellent stoppage player. He’s got a strong body and is hard at it. He has a real thirst for the inside stuff. He’s been training down at St Kilda, as a train-on, so we think he’s had some good preparation as well.”

No.59 - Leigh Williams
From: Norwood (EFL)
D-O-B: 19/5/90
Height: 193cm
Weight: 95kg

Williams is a powerful key forward, an excellent kick for goal and a one touch player. He is a very good contested mark.

What Prendergast says ...
“Leigh was the leading goalkicker in the Eastern Football League this year. He kicked 88 goals and I watched him play his last game out at Norwood, where he kicked eight and feed off four. He’s a really big body - around 193cm - and he’s got a really good set of hands and he’s a very good set-shot for goal. He was in the Eastern Ranges program, but injuries curtailed his involvement there. He played as a half-back and got sent forward, before becoming the leading goalkicker out in the [EFL]. He was a player we had a bit of an eye on in the middle of the year and he’s done enough coming in here. He’s improved quite a bit, even in the week-and-a-half since he’s been training with us. He took a couple of really good grabs against Colin Garland [on Monday] in some marking drills in some game practice. There is more to him than that and we think that he’s got quite a good tank that he’s been able to run in previous times and an AFL [environment] will get him up to speed. We’re very confident.”