NATIONAL recruiting manager Barry Prendergast runs through the six players claimed at the NAB AFL Rookie Draft
No.14 - Daniel Nicholson (University Blues)
DOB: 02/11/90
Height: 183cm
Weight: 76kg
No.14 - Daniel Nicholson (University Blues)
DOB: 02/11/90
Height: 183cm
Weight: 76kg
“Daniel’s a left-footer. He’s a highly skilled player with elite speed and he tested outstandingly at the state screening, plus in the beep test. He did a 15 beep prior to that. He ran a 14.2 at the screening. He also broke eight seconds in the agility test.”
“He’s dominated amateurs this year. He used to play for St Pats and then was asked to have a run with Uni Blues and that’s how it came about that he came to Melbourne footy club.
“His speed really helps.”
No.31 - Michael Evans (Claremont)
DOB: 13/07/92
Height: 180cm
Weight: 75kg
“He’s dominated amateurs this year. He used to play for St Pats and then was asked to have a run with Uni Blues and that’s how it came about that he came to Melbourne footy club.
“His speed really helps.”
No.31 - Michael Evans (Claremont)
DOB: 13/07/92
Height: 180cm
Weight: 75kg
“You always get the story that you can’t believe that they were there, but it was a toss-up between Daniel and Michael [for first pick].”
“Michael was a highly rated player for Claremont and he had injury problems in 2009. He had an interrupted pre-season in 2010. He did come into the WA squad in the national championships later, but he wasn’t chosen. He really dominated for four or five weeks.
“He’s a beautiful kick on both sides of his body and he’s got good leg speed and he’s a really balanced, classy type player.”
No.48 - Kelvin Lawrence (Peel Thunder)
DOB: 14/10/92
Height: 177cm
Weight: 72kg
“Michael was a highly rated player for Claremont and he had injury problems in 2009. He had an interrupted pre-season in 2010. He did come into the WA squad in the national championships later, but he wasn’t chosen. He really dominated for four or five weeks.
“He’s a beautiful kick on both sides of his body and he’s got good leg speed and he’s a really balanced, classy type player.”
No.48 - Kelvin Lawrence (Peel Thunder)
DOB: 14/10/92
Height: 177cm
Weight: 72kg
“He was best man on the ground almost, in the first half of the grand final against East Fremantle. He has lightning speed and is a small indigenous half-forward. He has plenty of x-factor and can kick a goal. He does those exciting indigenous things.”
“You trawl through a lot of vision throughout the year and it’s hard work, but he lights up the screen a bit. I thought: ‘I’m actually enjoying watching this vision’. I thought: ‘What’s he going to do next?’.
“He’s a rookie, so he’s got things to work on … he’s got a lot of scope for development.”
No.63 - Cameron Johnston (Geelong Falcons)
DOB: 24/2/92
Height: 181cm
Weight: 78kg
“You trawl through a lot of vision throughout the year and it’s hard work, but he lights up the screen a bit. I thought: ‘I’m actually enjoying watching this vision’. I thought: ‘What’s he going to do next?’.
“He’s a rookie, so he’s got things to work on … he’s got a lot of scope for development.”
No.63 - Cameron Johnston (Geelong Falcons)
DOB: 24/2/92
Height: 181cm
Weight: 78kg
“We had him train-on with us. He’s a thumping kick and he tested really well. He went to the Draft Camp after his finals series was really strong.”
“He’s been getting up at 4am every morning so he could catch a train from Geelong and then catch a train down here [AAMI Park] to get to training. So his commitment to the train-on program has been absolutely outstanding.
“He has some good physical qualities about him … but he’s a bloke who can really develop his game and he’s got some weapons.”
No.75 - Robert Campbell (Box Hill Hawks)
DOB: 2/6/82
Height: 199cm
Weight: 108kg
“He’s been getting up at 4am every morning so he could catch a train from Geelong and then catch a train down here [AAMI Park] to get to training. So his commitment to the train-on program has been absolutely outstanding.
“He has some good physical qualities about him … but he’s a bloke who can really develop his game and he’s got some weapons.”
No.75 - Robert Campbell (Box Hill Hawks)
DOB: 2/6/82
Height: 199cm
Weight: 108kg
“We thought we needed another ruckman. Having Todd Viney here … he knew him from Hawthorn and although Robbie had some difficulties with his knee, the medicos ticked that off.”
“He’s a premiership player, but he’s got some mentoring and leadership skills about him. And he’ll help our young ruckman and bolster our list.
“We’re really excited to get someone like that and a quality person on board at that point in the rookie draft. He really helps the development of our young list.”
No.83 - Tom McNamara (Melbourne)
DOB: 29/4/90
Height: 190cm
Weight: 89kg
“He’s a premiership player, but he’s got some mentoring and leadership skills about him. And he’ll help our young ruckman and bolster our list.
“We’re really excited to get someone like that and a quality person on board at that point in the rookie draft. He really helps the development of our young list.”
No.83 - Tom McNamara (Melbourne)
DOB: 29/4/90
Height: 190cm
Weight: 89kg
“Tom unfortunately came off the primary list, but we’re continuing with Tom and giving him more opportunities at AFL level.”
“He was drafted as an under-17 and made the draft by two days, so he was very young when he arrived. He’s from South Adelaide and we know he’s a bit of an introverted type, but he’s really developed since he’s been here.
“It’s great for him to be able to get another opportunity and to get a run at AFL footy.”
“He was drafted as an under-17 and made the draft by two days, so he was very young when he arrived. He’s from South Adelaide and we know he’s a bit of an introverted type, but he’s really developed since he’s been here.
“It’s great for him to be able to get another opportunity and to get a run at AFL footy.”
