The Werribee Tigers have enjoyed a great strike rate at the AFL national draft in recent seasons.
Three former Tigers, Michael Barlow, Kyle Hartigan and Ben Brown, all played significant roles for their respective clubs in this year’s finals.
So, will the Tigers’ den be a hunting ground for AFL recruiters again this season? This is a question that can only be answered come Tuesday night’s draft, and the rookie draft three days later.
“There is a bit of smoke and mirrors with AFL clubs,” Tigers football operations manager Stuart Balloch told Star Weekly.
“You just don’t know what they’re going to do or what their recruitment philosophies are.
“You basically need someone in the caper to like you, and feel they can improve you in their program or there’s need for you in their program. I’d be really hopeful that a couple of our guys can get a look in.”
One of Werribee’s most recent draftees, Ben Ross, is a prime example of a player whose status prior to two drafts was unknown. After the season, he took out the Liston Trophy for best-and-fairest in the VFL, and was a hot tip to be drafted, but was overlooked.
A year later, Ross, a former North Melbourne player, must have felt his second chance at the top level was never going to come, then Hawthorn came calling at the 11th hour.
What the Tigers have that could be attractive to AFL clubs is quality key position prospects.
Defender Jake Wilson, 23, and forward Josh Porter, 21, were two players nominated for the state combine, so the initial interest is there.
The Tigers consider both players just about ready-made to step into the AFL system.
Matt Hanson could also get a look-in. The inside midfielder excelled in his first season since crossing from Tasmania, claiming the Tigers’ best and fairest.
Joe Maishman played in the young guns game and was part of the national championships for Vic Country, so he could be one of the cubs on the radar, too.
No matter what the outcome at the draft table this season, Werribee is confident in its ability to develop footballers, has a great track record at the draft and will keep fronting up with prospects at this time every year.
“The identification of talent is just one part of it; there’s also the staffing structure and program that can ensure these players come in and develop and continue to get better,” Balloch said.
“The VFL is the second-best competition in the land behind the AFL, so we need to run a program that will continue to improve young men.”
