FRESH from having three players taken in last week’s AFL National Draft, the Geelong Falcons will start preparing another crop of talented youngsters for the big time this week.
Pre-season training begins on Wednesday night ahead of likely April start to the season, and coach Paul Corrigan says several Falcons already have their name on the draft board of AFL recruiters 2022.
Queenscliff product Jhye Clark is looming as a first-round selection after being named Vic Country’s best player at under-17 level this year.
Corrigan said he’s unlikely to be alone in hearing his name read out in 12 months.
“You look at Ollie Northam, who finished fourth in our best-and-fairest,” Corrigan said. “He played in the ruck and as a forward, and he’s in (Vic) Country Hub at the moment.
“You’ve also got Ted Clohesy, who’s an onballer/forward who played some games in his 17th year. He’s another one that’s in the Country Hub at the moment.
“We’ve got Will Parkhouse, who’s a key back. He’s an athletic type. He’ll keep progressing through pre-season and into next year.
“There are a few others who could bob up as well. Cooper Hayes played some games last year, Jai McGough.”
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Another player recruiters are likely to be keeping an eye on is GFL leading goalkicker Tom Gillett, who looks set to have a 19-year-old year with the Falcons.
The hulking forward burst onto the local scene with Grovedale, winning the Rookie of the Year award and making five NAB League appearances.
“We’ve had a good chat with him, and we’ll keep working with ‘Gill’ on what that looks like,” Corrigan said.
“We all know what he was capable of and what he did this year, and we just want to help him achieve what he wants to.
“We’ll work with him and give him every opportunity we can.”
Meanwhile, the Geelong Falcons Girls have spent the last fortnight on the track ahead of an earlier than usual start to the season.
The NAB League Girls season is slated for a start on the weekend of January 22-23.
More than 50 players are training in the hope of winning a spot on the final list, which is expected to feature around 35 girls.
Among those in the group is Lizzy Dowling, who went undrafted and has returned as a 19-year-old.
“Hopefully, she’ll put her name up again for the recruiters and get that AFLW opportunity,” Corrigan.
“Hopefully, we see some other girls coming through; Charlotte Simpson, Mia van Dyke, Aash van Loon – these types that were really strong in their 17th year.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
