West Coast have snared vastly improved Victorian ahead Ryan Maric with the highest choose within the AFL mid-season rookie draft.
A complete of 13 gamers have been chosen on Wednesday evening, with Quinton Narkle and Caleb Poulter given profession lifelines at Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs respectively.
Tears flowed for Maric when his title was referred to as by the Eagles, vindicating his resolution to embark on a speedy physique transformation over the past two years.
The 18-year-old Gippsland Power product dropped 24kg together with his personal-trainer brother’s assist to succeed in his present taking part in weight of 83kg.
He has emerged as a severe expertise, making his VFL debut with Box Hill this month.
“It means a lot. I’ve worked very, very hard to get in and it’s all happened very quickly,” Maric stated on the AFL web site’s broadcast.
“Off the back of a lot of hard work – I’ve dreamed about this for a while, but to finally get read out, it hasn’t really felt real until now. (I am) very emotional.”
Maric fashions his sport on Geelong celebrity Jeremy Cameron and Melbourne ahead Bayley Fritsch, and hails from the city of Drouin, which produced Cats legend Gary Ablett Snr and Collingwood premiership participant Dale Thomas.
The 193cm prospect is understood for his booming kick and is an effective probability to characteristic on the prime stage for injury-ravaged West Coast this season.
North Melbourne took Subiaco small ahead Robert Hansen Jnr with the second choose, whereas Hawthorn snared 204cm Eastern Ranges ruckman Clay Tucker at No.3.
Richmond picked Glenelg small ahead Matt Coulthard at No.4 earlier than GWS, who had two dwell alternatives on the mid-season draft, handed on each their picks.
Narkle performed 41 video games for Geelong earlier than being delisted final 12 months and has shone with Essendon’s VFL facet this season.
The 25-year-old will add midfield and ahead depth to Port Adelaide’s listing as they chase a premiership this season.
Narkle is a second cousin and former college mate of robust Power ahead Sam Powell-Pepper.
“He is a mature body that can help us now and into the future,” Port Adelaide recruiting supervisor Geoff Parker stated.
“He’s got great character traits and is desperate for a second chance.
“We know he’ll do every part he can to profit from this chance.”
Poulter earned his call-up by the Bulldogs after impressing with the Footscray VFL side this season.
The 20-year-old midfielder was originally a top-30 national draft pick for Collingwood and played 12 senior games with the Magpies but was delisted at the end of last year.
AFL 2023 MID-SEASON DRAFT
First spherical
1. West Coast – Ryan Maric (Gippsland Power)
2. North Melbourne – Robert Hansen Jnr (Subiaco)
3. Hawthorn – Clay Tucker (Eastern Ranges)
4. Richmond – Matt Coulthard (Glenelg)
5. Greater Western Sydney – Pass
6. Sydney – Harry Arnold (Brisbane VFL)
7. Geelong – Mitch Hardie (Woodville-West Torrens)
8. Fremantle – Ethan Stanley (Box Hill Hawks)
9. Essendon – Jaiden Hunter (Perth)
10. Western Bulldogs – Caleb Poulter (Footscray)
11. Port Adelaide – Quinton Narkle (Essendon VFL)
Second round
12. Hawthorn – Brandon Ryan (Northern Bullants)
13. Richmond – James Trezise (Richmond VFL)
14. Greater Western Sydney – Pass
15. Sydney – Jack Buller (Claremont)
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
