The Northern Knights had their most successful AFL draft since 2007, with five Knights players joining the premier ranks last week.
Jade Gresham, Brayden Fiorini, Brayden Sier and Tyrone Leonardis were selected in last Tuesday’s AFL National Draft, while Darcy MacPherson was among Friday’s rookie draft.
Knights’ talent manager Peter Kennedy said the club was thrilled to have five players drafted.
He said it was the most successful draft for the club since 2007, when Matthew Kreuzer and Trent Cotchin were picks one and two.
Gresham was selected by St Kilda, MacPherson and Fiorini are going to the Gold Coast Suns, Leonardis to Sydney and Sier was picked up by Collingwood.
“A lot of people judge you on ladder position, but this shows it’s more than about that,” Kennedy said. “This competition is about getting players drafted or rookie-listed.
“I think we have a really good development program, and the coaches work hard developing the top-end players.”
Kennedy wasn’t surprised by the players selected for the AFL. All five had been on the radar of clubs and, as predicted, Gresham and Fiorini went in the first 30 picks.
Kennedy said Sier, who’d only played two games for the Knights, was taken earlier than they’d expected.
“We thought at best he would be rookie-listed,” Kennedy said. “He trained with Essendon and the Western Bulldogs in the last couple of weeks, and Melbourne had showed interest.
“He had met with Collingwood. He has trimmed down in the last 12 months and worked really hard. He wasn’t regularly in his school team last year, but he won their best and fairest this year and dominated.”
For MacPherson, getting picked up in the rookie draft makes up for the disappointment of not being selected by the Western Bulldogs under the father-son rule.
Stephen MacPherson played 188 games for the Bulldogs.
“I’m in the best mood ever,” MacPherson said Friday morning. “It’s unreal … I’m still pinching myself … I can’t wait to get up there and start training.”
Kennedy said the club was disappointed two other players, Matthew Perry and James El Moussalli, weren’t picked up.
“At this stage, we are hoping that they will go to the Northern Blues and play there.
“Matt was unlucky with injury. He has outstanding qualities and his GPS figures are at AFL level,” Kennedy said.
“James also had an injury-prone year.”
He said the story of former Northern Knights’ player Adam Marcon was something the two players should study closely.
Marcon, who was playing VFL with Williamstown was rookie-listed by Richmond.
“James and Matthew have to play good consistent footy and, hopefully, someone will give them a chance.”
