NATIONAL recruiting manager Barry Prendergast says there is no reason why exciting Tasmanian forward Jeremy Howe can’t make his AFL debut in 2011.
Howe, 20, shone for Hobart this year with his high-flying attributes catching the eye on more than the odd occasion. Of the four players selected by Melbourne in this year’s NAB AFL Draft, Howe is the one ‘mature’ pick.
But Prendergast said there was no reason why the quartet couldn’t play their first AFL match next year, despite nominating Howe as the most likely to debut.
“Jeremy is 20 years of age and has played senior footy and has spent a bit of time [playing] against men, so there is no reason why he couldn’t step up,” he said.
“Troy [Davis] is 90kgs and was one of the heavier players in the draft and Lucas [Cook] has got a bit of work to do on his body.
“But both Lucas and Tom [McDonald] have played footy for the [North Ballarat] Roosters - the premiership side in the VFL last year and acquitted themselves extremely well.
“We’ve got a few blokes in front of them at the present time, which is a great thing for the footy club, but there is no reason why they couldn’t step up.”
Assistant/forward coach Josh Mahoney concurred with Prendergast, saying the coaching staff would not hold back Cook, Howe, Davis or McDonald.
“For next year - and I think we’ve seen with all of our draftees that people develop at different stages,” he said.
“They’ll all be given opportunities and if their form is good enough and they’ve done enough training load, then they’ll push for selection.
“You never want to put limits on first year players on what they’re going to achieve, so we’ve got patience in all of these guys.
“They’re not expected to come straight in and that’s one of the great things - they can come in and they can all develop at different levels and when they’re ready to go, they’ll get a chance.”
The recruitment of Howe was one of the good feel stories of the draft, considering this time a year ago he was concentrating on his apprenticeship as an electrician.
“There was about four or five clubs who we were aware of on the night, who were into Jeremy, so it’s one of the good stories,” Prendergast said.
“From a recruiter’s perspective, it reminds me a little bit of Jamie Bennell in 2008 when he was one of those who came on a bit late, but was a bit more aware of by other clubs.
“He’s (Howe) a great story and another great mature age story and a great incentive for other players in a similar situation.”
Howe, 20, shone for Hobart this year with his high-flying attributes catching the eye on more than the odd occasion. Of the four players selected by Melbourne in this year’s NAB AFL Draft, Howe is the one ‘mature’ pick.
But Prendergast said there was no reason why the quartet couldn’t play their first AFL match next year, despite nominating Howe as the most likely to debut.
“Jeremy is 20 years of age and has played senior footy and has spent a bit of time [playing] against men, so there is no reason why he couldn’t step up,” he said.
“Troy [Davis] is 90kgs and was one of the heavier players in the draft and Lucas [Cook] has got a bit of work to do on his body.
“But both Lucas and Tom [McDonald] have played footy for the [North Ballarat] Roosters - the premiership side in the VFL last year and acquitted themselves extremely well.
“We’ve got a few blokes in front of them at the present time, which is a great thing for the footy club, but there is no reason why they couldn’t step up.”
Assistant/forward coach Josh Mahoney concurred with Prendergast, saying the coaching staff would not hold back Cook, Howe, Davis or McDonald.
“For next year - and I think we’ve seen with all of our draftees that people develop at different stages,” he said.
“They’ll all be given opportunities and if their form is good enough and they’ve done enough training load, then they’ll push for selection.
“You never want to put limits on first year players on what they’re going to achieve, so we’ve got patience in all of these guys.
“They’re not expected to come straight in and that’s one of the great things - they can come in and they can all develop at different levels and when they’re ready to go, they’ll get a chance.”
The recruitment of Howe was one of the good feel stories of the draft, considering this time a year ago he was concentrating on his apprenticeship as an electrician.
“There was about four or five clubs who we were aware of on the night, who were into Jeremy, so it’s one of the good stories,” Prendergast said.
“From a recruiter’s perspective, it reminds me a little bit of Jamie Bennell in 2008 when he was one of those who came on a bit late, but was a bit more aware of by other clubs.
“He’s (Howe) a great story and another great mature age story and a great incentive for other players in a similar situation.”
