North Ballarat Rebels AFL draft hopes

By Melanie Whelan
Updated November 2 2012 - 6:10pm, first published November 23 2011 - 10:49pm
REBELS DRAFT HOPEFUL: Nick O'Brien goes through his paces at training this week. Photo: Justin Whitelock.
REBELS DRAFT HOPEFUL: Nick O'Brien goes through his paces at training this week. Photo: Justin Whitelock.

NORTH Ballarat Rebels regional manager Phil Partington says there has been as much AFL interest in this year's Rebels' crop as there was in 2006 — a year when six Rebels joined AFL lists via the national draft.Tonight the Rebels will find out just how interested those AFL clubs really were.Partington fielded calls all yesterday from AFL recruiters.He will talk further with clubs when he lands in Sydney with Rebels coach David Loader this morning ahead of the AFL national draft, deep in Greater Western Sydney territory. The latest news from the AFL draft and our hopefuls will be available online here tonightThe Giants have 11 of the first 14 player selections at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, including the first five, but like any draft — little is certain.Partington has also been travelling the state the past week to prepare Rebels' hopefuls and their families for what might — or might not — unfold from 7pm tonight. "Every player in contention has done everything possible to have their name called out," Partington said."They can't control what happens now and that's where the nerves start to set in."They all played well in TAC Cup football, played well at national championships and tested well."We're excited about what may happen."Five Rebels were invited to test at the AFL national combine at Docklands last month.A further five, plus North Ballarat Rooster Marcus Darmody, were screened at the AFL state combine while Scott Spriggs was tested at an AFL Victoria Draft Star session.But clubs still often pluck an unscreened player out unexpectedly.Rebels Lucas Cook, Tom McDonald (Melbourne), Ben Mabon (North Melbourne) and Rooster Isaac Smith (Hawthorn) were drafted to AFL clubs last year.Roosters' defender Cam Richardson was signed to North Melbourne via an on-trade from Gold Coast Suns last year in trade week.Partington said the consistent feedback he had from AFL clubs about this year's crop was how outstanding the Rebels' character was in their preparation for AFL."That's a big credit to their family, local football clubs, local coaches and school teachers," Partington said."It's a special group this year that has worked hard together — team-mates will really celebrate the boys who get chosen and commiserate with those that don't."They really feel for each other."Partington reiterated that those not chosen tonight could still be selected in next month's rookie draft or could continue to climb ranks in the VFL.Or, just as importantly, players could return to their grass-roots club as leaders and role models.OUR HOPEFULSLAUCHLAN DALGLEISHBORN: June 22, 1993LIVES: AraratHOME CLUB: AraratSCHOOL: Ararat CollegeBARRACKS FOR: Collingwood2011 REBELS GAMES: 18Total: 18KEY NOTES: Sprinting background. Ran third in a Stawell Gift heat this year. Attended AFL National Combine where he ranked top four in the clean handsskills test, agility run and 20m sprint, and second in the 30m repeat sprint.Where will you be watching the draft from? Probably at home with my family.Have you been thinking much about the draft? Not really. I’ve been more focused on my year 12 exams, which finished Monday (last week).Have clubs made much contact with you after AFL Combine? Not really since the draft combine.What do you think about the prospect of moving to an interstate club? It would be a challenge being away from family and friends but once you get to know a few people it would be all right. You would be doing something you like, playing football.What are your strengths as a player? My speed and skills.What are your strengths off-field, as a person? I think I am a truthful and honest person.Preferred position? On the wing.Rebels regional manager Phil Partington says: He’s really shown AFL recruiting staff his elite speed, talent and long left-foot kick. He tested outstandingat AFL Combine after five weeks without physical exercise due to a punctured lung. Quality athlete with run and carry.TOM DOWNIEBORN: April 27, 1993LIVES: BenallaHOME CLUB: Benalla SaintsSCHOOL: St Patrick’s CollegeBARRACKS FOR: Geelong2011 REBELS GAMES: 2. Total: 2.KEY NOTES: Talented basketballer. Represented Australia in under-17 world basketball championships under Ballarat Miners coach Guy Molloy. Played out theMiners D-League season and switched to Rebels for the end of the football season. Where will you be watching the draft from? I’ll be watching with mum and dad at a friend’s house, so it’ll be pretty low-key.Have you been thinking much about the draft? The last week it has been on my mind, after year 12 exams were finished. It wasn’t so much on my mind (during exams) because I was so busy studying.Have clubs made much contact with you after AFLCombine? I’ve had one, but none can contact you during exams.What do you think about the prospect of moving to an interstate club? I reckon I’d be well-adaptedbecause I’ve been at boarding school in Ballarat the past two years. I’m happy to go anywhere really.What are your strengths as a player? I’m tall and agile. I can move about the ground and still be skilful.What are your strengths off-field, as a person? I’m easy to get along with. Preferred position? Ruckman — it’s the main position I’ve played all my footy.Rebels regional manager Phil Partington says: He’s 205-centimetres tall and athletic for that size player. For a boy that hasn’t had that much football,he’s developed into a quality player under the St Patrick’sCollege and Rebels programs.NICK O'BRIENBORN: June 26, 1993LIVES: Snake ValleyHOME CLUB: Carngham-LintonSCHOOL: St Patrick’s CollegeBARRACKS FOR: Geelong2011 REBELS GAMES: 10. Total: 29.KEY POINTS: Rebels captain and captained St Pats to a Herald Sun Shield flag. Fourth in the 3km time trial and top-10 in the beep test at AFL Combine. Played Vic Country under-18s and two VFL matches.Where will you be watching the draftfrom? I’ll be watching at home, where we’ve gotAUSTAR, with close immediate family.Have you been thinking much about the draft? I haven’t thought about it that much but it does play on your mind a bit.Have clubs made much contact with you after AFL Combine? Not really. Clubs aren’t allowed to contactus during the exam period. What do you think about the prospect of moving to an interstate club? There’s nearly a 50-50 chance now that you could be drafted to an interstate club. I’m happy to go anywhere to play AFL and more than happy to move interstate if I have to.What are your strengths as a player? Endurance and my work-rate.What are your strengths off-field, as a person? Leadership — I try to influence teammates to get the best out of everyone. Football’s not an individual sport.Preferred position? Half-forward flank is usually where I play my best footy.Rebels regional manager Phil Partington says: He’s got an outstanding work rate and certainly thebest part of his game is his endurance.SEBASTIAN ROSSBORN: May 7, 1993LIVES: HorshamHOME CLUB: Horsham DemonsSCHOOL: Ballarat Clarendon CollegeBARRACKS FOR: Hawthorn2011 REBELS GAMES: 12. Total: 25.KEY POINTS: Among the most improved on the Rebels list the past two years. Known for putting in a lot of extra training sessions. Represented Vic Country at AFL national under-18 championships and made his VFL debut this season.Where will you be watching the draft from? With family friends who have AUSTAR at their house.Have you been thinking much about the draft? Ever since exams have finished. Until then, it had been just about my year 12 exams. Have clubs made much contact with you after AFL Combine? Not really — just a few little whispers. Most clubs keep their cards close to their chest. What do you think about the prospect of moving to an interstate club? I wouldn’t mind it at all, I’d be happy to play anywhere. Moving wouldn’t be a problem, particularly because I’ve been away at boarding school the past two years.What are your strengths as a player? My contested footy and awareness.What are your strengths off-field, as a person? Probably the same as on the footy field — I’m a hard-worker, diligent and honest.Preferred position? In the mid-field.Rebels regional manager Phil Partington says: He has developed his body and work-ethic into an elitemidfielder — he wins his own football and makes the right decisions.RORY TAGGERTBORN: June 22,1993LIVES: HorshamHOME CLUB: Horsham SaintsSCHOOL: St Patrick’s CollegeBARRACKS FOR: St Kilda2011 REBELS GAMES: 16. Total: 31.KEY NOTES: Represented Vic Country at AFL national under-18 championships. Ranked third in the standing vertical jump at AFL National Combine and ranked equal fourth in the clean hands skills test.Where will you be watching the draft from?I’ll be staying at home with mum and dad, maybe some friends, but I’ll probably be too nervous to watch it.Have you been thinking much about the draft?It’s pretty hard not to think about the draft. It’s always running through your mind.Have clubs made much contact with you after AFL Combine? I’ve had a couple of phone calls, but it’shard to say. Most don’t really want you to get your hopes up too much.What do you think about the prospect of moving to an interstate club? Playing football is my dream. I wouldn’t be fazed. I had to move up to Ballarat thisyear for boarding school.What are your strengths as a player? Kicking and marking with my body size. What are your strengths off-field, as a person? My hard work — I like to put in my best effort — and I’m a loyal person.Preferred position? I like to play up half-forward.Rebels regional manager Phil Partington says: He has an AFL kick and AFL mark, very powerful legs that can accelerate quickly and a high vertical leap. There are certainly parts he needs to improve on but that will come.NORTH BALLARAT REBELS SELECTED IN THE AFL DRAFT1993Matthew Capuano (Nth Melb)Kieran Murrihy (Essendon)Glenn Gorman (Sydney)1994Brad Cassidy (Fremantle)Mark Orchard (Collingwood)Tony Bourke (Carlton)Ross Funcke (Richmond)Gerard Jess (Brisbane)1996Brent Tuckey (Collingwood)Tim Notting (Brisbane)1997James Walker (Fremantle)Shane O’Bree (Brisbane)Shannon Watt (Nth Melb)Adam Goodes (Sydney)Marcus Picken (Brisbane)Sam Cranage (St Kilda)2000Drew Petrie (Nth Melb)Jeremy Humm (West Coast)2002Luke Brennan (Hawthorn)Tristan Cartledge (Essendon)2003Jed Adcock (Brisbane)Troy Chaplin (Port Adelaide)Adam Campbell (Fremantle)2004Matthew Rosa (West Coast)2005Stephen Owen (Geelong)2006Nathan Brown (Collingwood)James Frawley (Melbourne)Mitchell Brown (West Coast)Shaun Grigg (Carlton)Tim Houlihan (West Coast)Matt Tyler (Brisbane)2007Clayton Hinkley (Fremantle)Kyle Cheney (Melbourne)Matt Austin (Brisbane)2008Nick Suban (Fremantle)Jordan Roughead (Bulldogs)Tim Ruffles (Fremantle)Will Young (Adelaide)2009Matt Dea (Richmond)Josh Cowan (Geelong)David Astbury (Richmond)2010Lucas Cook (Melbourne)Tom McDonald (Melbourne)Ben Mabon (Nth Melb)

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