As was expected, no Tasmanians found a football home during Friday night’s AFL National Draft in Sydney.
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It was first time ever that no Tasmanians were selected. The national draft was first held in 1986. Away from those in the state’s under 18 setup, former Coasters Robbie Fox and Brody Mihocek, from Burnie, as well as former Western Storm midfielder Matt Hanson, all missed out.
While Tasmania, a traditional football state, struggled, expansion states New South Wales and Queensland flourished, with eleven players picked from the academy programs in those states.
Delisted Tasmanians Josh McGuinness, Josh Watts, Brady Grey, Luke Russell, Henry Schade, Zac Webster and Eli Templeton failed to find a new AFL home. North Hobart defender Schade will be re-rookied by Gold Coast. It is expected Burnie’s Grey will get a similar opportunity with Fremantle. The pre-season and rookie drafts will take place Monday.