NSW’s most talented get their chance

By Alison Zell

The Sydney Swans have led the way developing young NSW talent, selecting four rookies from the state during the 2012 AFL rookie draft on Tuesday.

Local AFL Sydney player Dane Rampe was selected by the Swans at pick 37 after impressing during pre-season training with the club over the past few weeks.

Rampe was the 2012 Phelan Medallist, winning AFL Sydney’s Best and Fairest award after an outstanding season with the UNSW/Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs and also taking home the Howarth Trophy for representative player of the year.

The 22 year-old midfielder from Clovelly has previously completed a pre-season at the Western Bulldogs and played with their VFL affiliated side for two years.

Brandon Jack, QBE Sydney Swans Academy member and younger brother of Swans star Kieren, was also training with the Swans during pre-season and was pre-listed for a rookie position just prior to the draft.

Jack played several games for the Swans reserves this season and will get his chance to follow in his older brother’s Premiership-winning footsteps after being formally selected with pick 57.

The 18 year-old Pennant Hills Demon started playing AFL with feeder club Westbrook just three years ago but has progressed quickly, playing in the NSW/ACT under 18s side this year and fitted in nine appearances for the Demons in the AFL Sydney Premier Division.

At 182cm and 75kg, he has a build naturally suited to AFL, and impressed at the NAB AFL Draft Combine state testing, recording a time of 2.94 seconds for the 20 metre sprint.

After moving to Sydney from his hometown of Gunnedah in northern NSW, Sam Naismith has been rewarded with a spot on the Swans’ rookie list for 2013, selected with pick 58, the final pick in the rookie draft.

At 208cm, Naismith caught the eye of Swans recruiters while playing football for the Gunnedah Bulldogs and was selected for the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.

Playing for the North Shore Bombers in the AFL Sydney competition, Naismith also lined up for the Sydney Swans reserves several times in 2012.

The 19 year-old has already spent this season training weekly with Swans ruckmen Shane Mumford and Mike Pyke under the guidance of Swans ruck coach Steve Taubert.

The rookie draft also saw the Swans formally list NSW Scholarship holder Dan Robinson with the club.

Robinson has been on a scholarship for three years and just finished exams at St Ignatius Riverview, playing for the Mosman Swans and Riverview.

Greater Western Sydney have also backed NSW talent with midfielder and Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy graduate Zac Williams selected by the club with pick 54 and utility Joseph Redfern picked at 51.

Williams, from Narrandera, impressed playing for the NSW/ACT RAMS in the National Championships, winning their Most Valuable Player award.

A medium-sized midfielder and defender who is very strong through his body, 18 year-old Williams was the only New South Welshman invited to attend this year’s NAB AFL Draft Combine.

18 year-old Redfern moved to Sydney from Wagga Wagga 12 months ago and trained with the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy and Sydney Hills Eagles during the 2012 season.

He played one match for the Eagles in the AFL Sydney competition between NSW/ACT Under-18s commitments and lining up for the GIANTS’ reserves side in the NEAFL.

With pick 46, the Fremantle Dockers officially welcomed 19 year-old Craig Moller to their list.

A NSW Scholarship holder, Moller began his scholarship with the Dockers in 2009 as a 14-year-old.

From Barden Ridge, 30km south of Sydney, the 203cm player was NSW’s best player at the under-16 national titles and is also considered one of the best basketball talents in the country.

Broken Hill’s Mitch Clisby found an AFL club after being selected with pick 19 by the Melbourne Demons.

Clisby, 22, grew up playing with, and against, close friend Taylor Walker in Broken Hill and after not being selected in the 2008 draft, he moved to North Adelaide to continue his football dream.  

Southern NSW’s Orren Stephenson, 30, was also given another chance in the AFL with the former Geelong rookie picked up by Richmond after playing eight games with the Cats in his debut year.