It was relatively quiet on the western front at the AFL’s rookie draft selection meeting last Wednesday.
The Western Bulldogs were the only club not to hold a selection, opting to keep hold of the rookies they have on their books.
Luck was out for undrafted local TAC Cup players from the Western Jets, including Vic Metro representative Jake Greiser and best-and-fairest David Iaccarino.
It is not the end of the road for players who didn’t link up with AFL clubs, but they will have to take the long route through the VFL or other state-based competitions.
Recycled players and category B rookies were in vogue.
Ben Ross, an onballer who returned to play for the Werribee Tigers after being delisted by North Melbourne and claiming the 2012 JJ Liston Trophy as VFL best and fairest, saw his persistence rewarded with Hawthorn selecting him at pick 57.
Cameron Wood, a ruckman who played for Williamstown in the VFL, will get his third chance at the top level as the 28th pick in the draft by Carlton after stints with the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood.
A number of left-field selections were made on the night, two of which concerned players linked to the west.
Johnny Rayner, a talented middle-distance runner and former Western Jets star, landed at Essendon as a category B rookie.
Michael Luxford, known for his basketball exploits with the Werribee Devils, found an unlikely home at Geelong.
Rayner and Luxford are category B rookies because they have not been registered in an Australian football competition for three years and will be long-term projects for the clubs.
Luxford, 18, an athletic 186cm, 92kg player from Hoppers Crossing, had no prior football experience but impressed Geelong recruiting manager Stephen Wells in trials.
“It was an enormous decision for Michael and his family to go down a different path,” Wells said.
“Michael is a very talented sportsman, a high achiever in basketball and school, and after plenty of trials with him we can see genuine potential.”
