D-day is fast approaching for Tasmania’s leading footballers with nerves of optimism at fever pitch.
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North Melbourne officially nominated highly-touted Next Generation Academy member Tarryn Thomas on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s AFL draft, along with cousin Rhyan Mansell, fellow Tasmanian Matthew McGuinness and father-son prospects Bailey Scott and Joel Crocker.
The nominations mean that the Kangaroos now have the option to match any bids from rival clubs for the quintet.
Thomas and Mansell – both 18-year-old two-time North Launceston State League premiership players – are nervous leading into the biggest day of their lives to date.
Mansell, who attended the state combine after an injury-plagued season with the Mariners and Allies, said he was shocked by the Roos’ announcement.
“They came down two weeks ago and indicated they wouldn’t match a bid on me,” he said.
“I’ve talked to a few clubs and I’m sort of hoping one of them will take me late in the draft or potentially in the rookie draft if North don’t.
“I’ve had contact with Port Adelaide and Fremantle so hopefully one of those shows faith in me, but if they don’t it’s not the end of the world.
“If I don’t get picked up, I think playing for Tassie in the TAC cup would be my best option for next year.
“I’ve been told I can play as an over-age player, but I will just sit down with my manager and talk about it after the draft.”
It’s been a bleak period for Tasmanian footballers getting drafted with the days of three to four players being selected on an annual basis seemingly a thing of the past.
Zero Tasmanians were drafted in 2016, Hugh Dixon (Fremantle) was the state’s sole pick-up last year but 2018 shapes as an exception in the decline according to some commentators.
Longford and Launceston product Chayce Jones is a contender this year to be Tasmania’s first top 10 pick since Kade Kolodjashnij (pick 5) moved to the Gold Coast in 2013.
Tasmanian Devils TAC Cup coach Adrian Fletcher earlier this month said there were four genuine chances with Thomas, Jones, Clarence’s Fraser Turner and Lauderdale’s Nick Baker the most likely.
Ex-Northern Bomber Jay Lockhart is also considered a smoky in the rookie draft after a solid season with VFL club Casey Demons.
Thomas – a two-time Tasmanian MVP – played a match with the Roos’ VFL side towards the end of last season and said he would be grateful for any opportunity.
“I was pretty excited and happy when I found out [that North would nominate me], but whenever happens on the night I’ll be pleased with,” Thomas said.
“I have a good relationship with North after spending a fair bit of time with them over the past few years through the academy.
“I’ve had heaps of support around me, which has made dealing with expectations easier for me but the whole process of trying to get drafted is pretty overwhelming at times.”
He said moving away from home would be his most difficult hurdle to initially overcome.
“I’ve been over there a few times now and stayed away from family so I’m kind of used to it, but living away from family and friends I imagine will be the most difficult part of it,” he said.
Thomas said he was still awaiting confirmation if he would be required on Thursday night for the televised first-round selections at Marvel Stadium, from 7pm.
The remainder of the national draft will take place on Friday from noon, while the rookie draft will follow at 6.10pm – 10 minutes after the pre-season draft.
Exams done, Jones ready for next test
First-round draft prospect Chayce Jones says year-12 exams have helped take his mind off wondering what AFL clubs have in store.
The 18-year-old level-headed Longford and Launceston footballer completed his maths and sport science exams at Launceston College on Tuesday as he prepares to head to Melbourne with parents Sue and Brendan in readiness.
“The maths exam was a bit challenging, but I got through it,” Jones said.
“I’ve been keeping it all under wraps and keeping busy with school work to make sure I had it all right.
And now it’s done I can go into the draft and just see how everything goes.
“I haven’t been nervous, but now my exams are over I’ll start to think about it a bit more as I’ve tried to avoid it a bit.”
Jones impressed at October’s draft combine after a successful season with the Blues, Allies and leading Tasmania to the national division 2 under-18 national championship.
He averaged 21.5 disposals and 6.8 tackles for the Allies in making the under-18 All-Australian side, and is expected to go early in the draft with Geelong, GWS, Port Adelaide and Adelaide understood to be seriously interested.
“Everything that I’ve done has brought me to this moment so I can’t really change anything now, it’s all up to the clubs really,” Jones said.
“If it doesn’t work out then I know there is a lot of hard work ahead to try and get there.
“It was good to test well at the combine but going in I think clubs look a lot at mindset.
Testing well helps but if you go in to do your best, that’s what clubs will see out of you.”
Jones said he has found the testing, club interviews and external hype a little daunting at stages.
“It’s sort of a bit surreal with everything going on and you read about yourself in the paper or online,” he said.
“You’ve sort of read it in the past about other Tassie guys, but when it’s about you it’s very weird to see.”
In other news, ex-Gold Coast and St Kilda player Maverick Weller will return to an AFL list during the AFL pre-season supplemental selection period on December 1.
It is unconfirmed which club has agreed to select Weller, but he has this week been linked with Richmond.
- The AFL draft will be broadcast on Fox Footy from 6.30pm. Coverage on Friday starts from noon.
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