SIX North Ballarat Rebels attended AFL combine testing in readiness for the national draft on on the Gold Coast on Thursday night - Rowan Marshall, Oscar McDonald, Dan Butler. Jesse Palmer, Tom Templeton and Sam Bennett.
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The Courier profiles each of the draft hopefuls:
ROWAN MARSHALL
BORN: November 24, 1995
HOMETOWN: Portland
HOME CLUB: Portland
SCHOOL: Bayview College, Portland
SUPPORTS IN THE AFL: Essendon
REBELS CAREER: 25 TAC Cup games (17 in 2014) and one VFL game with North Ballarat Roosters.
WHERE WILL YOU BE WATCHING THE AFL DRAFT?
I'll head home to Portland and watch it at home with my family.
HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING MUCH ABOUT THE DRAFT?
A little bit but I've been trying to keep my mind off it as much as possible.
HAVE CLUBS MADE MUCH CONTACT WITH YOU AFTER AFL COMBINE?
Not too many.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF MOVING TO AN INTERSTATE CLUB?
It wouldn't faze me. I moved to Ballarat this year from Portland, so have already been living away from home.
WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK ABOUT THE CHANCE OF YOU MOVING INTERSTATE?
I don't think they'd mind because it would be an amazing opportunity.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PLAYER?
My mobility for my size and ability to read the game down the field.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PERSON?
I'm pretty easy-going.
PREFERRED POSITION?
Ruckman.
REBELS TALENT MANAGER PHIL PARTINGTON: "Most improved Rebel from last year when he was a young, raw ruckman travelling from Portland. Rowan has certainly worked hard on his game and we're very pleased with his performance this year. Rowan's done everything possible to get drafted but it's out of his hands now."
OSCAR McDONALD
BORN: March 18, 1996
HOMETOWN: Edenhope
HOME CLUB: Edenhope-Apsley
SCHOOL: Edenhope College, St Patrick's College Ballarat for VCE
SUPPORTS IN THE AFL: I'm an individual player supporter. I like to watch good players at all clubs and support my brother Tom, when he's playing for Melbourne.
REBELS CAREER: 25 TAC Cup games (19 in 2014) and one VFL game with North Ballarat Roosters.
WHERE WILL YOU BE WATCHING THE AFL DRAFT?
At home with a couple of good friends and Mum and Dad and my sisters.
HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING MUCH ABOUT THE DRAFT?
Not really. I don't think you achieve too much thinking about it all the time. I've headed home to work with Dad on the farm to get my mind off it.
HAVE CLUBS MADE MUCH CONTACT WITH YOU AFTER AFL COMBINE?
About four clubs - some for the first time, some I spoke to a couple of times at combine.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF MOVING TO AN INTERSTATE CLUB?
It doesn't faze me. I've been to boarding school, away from Mum and Dad's, for the past three and a half years now. WA is only a three-hour flight or so to Melbourne...so an interstate club is really not that far away if you put it into perspective.
WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK ABOUT THE CHANCE OF YOU MOVING INTERSTATE?
I don't think Mum wants me too far away but they'd really love me to go anywhere and if my name is called out, they'd support me either way.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PLAYER?
Marking, endurance and game smarts.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PERSON?
I'd bring a bit of fun to the club. I'd think I'd also make a great leader on and off the field - I like to be vocal on the field and off it, I like to make sure everyone feels welcome.
PREFERRED POSITION?
Centre half-back is where I've played most of my good footy the past year.
REBELS TALENT MANAGER PHIL PARTINGTON SAYS: "Stand-out season. Oscar's developed over the pre-season and into the season in holding down a spot as a key back and is versatile to go forward. Rebels' best and fairest and TAC Cup coaches' award winner, he has put in a lot of hard work to turn his game around after an interrupted season with injury last year...Oscar is a very draftable and a very coachable player."
DAN BUTLER
BORN: June 3, 1996
HOMETOWN: Cardigan/Ballarat
HOME CLUB: Lake Wendouree
SCHOOL: St Patrick's College
SUPPORTS IN THE AFL: Collingwood
REBELS CAREER: 27 TAC Cup games (13 in 2014) and one VFL game with North Ballarat Roosters.
WHERE WILL YOU BE WATCHING THE AFL DRAFT?
I'll be watching at home with family.
HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING MUCH ABOUT THE DRAFT?
Not too much. I've been down the beach a lot to try and keep my mind off it.
HAVE CLUBS MADE MUCH CONTACT WITH YOU AFTER AFL COMBINE?
After combine, about three.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF MOVING TO AN INTERSTATE CLUB?
It will be hard at first to get used to but it would be a new start, a new chapter, to develop as a person and footballer.
WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK ABOUT THE CHANCE OF YOU MOVING INTERSTATE?
Mum's a bit worried that will happen but at the same time, really supportive because they know it's a chance to pursue my AFL dream.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PLAYER?
Run-and-carry, my defensive pressure, agility and goal kicking.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PERSON?
I'm a good person to be around, I like to have fun, and I'm a good listener, I listen to what everyone's got to say.
PREFERRED POSITION?
Half-forward/midfield
REBELS TALENT MANAGER PHIL PARTINGTON: "Dan's had an outstanding year. He played all Vic Country (AFL under-18) games, which would've been his aim this season. He has elite speed and agility - attributes AFL clubs like. Dan has great defensive pressure plus can kick big goals down forward. He's managed his studies and Rebels commitments well this season. I hope to see him on an AFL list by the end of December."
JESSE PALMER
BORN: October 17, 1996
HOMETOWN: Swan Hill
HOME CLUB: Swan Hill
SCHOOL: St Patrick's College, Ballarat
SUPPORTS IN THE AFL: Carlton
REBELS CAREER: 29 TAC Cup games (19 in 2014)
WHERE WILL YOU BE WATCHING THE AFL DRAFT?
I'll watch it at home with family.
HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING MUCH ABOUT THE DRAFT?
Not at all. I've been trying to relax after finishing my VCE exams.
HAVE CLUBS MADE MUCH CONTACT WITH YOU AFTER AFL COMBINE?
Not really many.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF MOVING TO AN INTERSTATE CLUB?
I wouldn't be worried about that. I've been living away at boarding school.
WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK ABOUT THE CHANCE OF YOU MOVING INTERSTATE?
They're used to me being away at boarding school and not around too much.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PLAYER?
My overhead marking and the one-on-one contest.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PERSON?
I'm pretty easy going and like to show good leadership.
PREFERRED POSITION?
Half-forward flank.
REBELS TALENT MANAGER PHIL PARTINGTON: "Jesse's had a really good season, mainly playing deep forward. He's been really diligent about his TAC Cup footy and hopefully will get a chance to make a good AFL footballer."
SAM BENNETT
BORN: January 22, 1995
HOMETOWN: Ballarat
HOME CLUB: North Ballarat City
SCHOOL: Ballarat Clarendon College
SUPPORTS IN THE AFL: Essendon
REBELS CAREER: 30 TAC Cup games (14 in 2014)
WHERE WILL YOU BE WATCHING THE AFL DRAFT?
I'll be watching at home with family.
HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING MUCH ABOUT THE DRAFT?
Honestly, not too much. I try not to pay too much attention (to the talk).
HAVE CLUBS MADE MUCH CONTACT WITH YOU AFTER AFL COMBINE?
No, not really.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF MOVING TO AN INTERSTATE CLUB?
It's a great experience - I'd love it.
WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK ABOUT THE CHANCE OF YOU MOVING INTERSTATE?
They'd definitely be happy for me because it is such a great experience.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PLAYER?
My game-sense and ability to break through the lines.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PERSON?
I get along with all different types of people and enjoy being part of a team environment.
PREFERRED POSITION?
I like playing a tall midfield role and also across half-back flank.
REBELS TALENT MANAGER PHIL PARTINGTON: "A bit of an indifferent year due to injury - he'd play three or four games then miss a couple through injury. He was unable to reach his full capacity but, when he did, Sam played really well and impressed enough to still be invited to state screening."
TOM TEMPLETON
BORN: April 11, 1996
HOMETOWN: Portland and Wangoom
HOME CLUB: Portland Tigers
SCHOOL: St Patrick's College
SUPPORTS IN THE AFL: Carlton
REBELS CAREER: 25 TAC Cup games (19 in 2014)
WHERE WILL YOU BE WATCHING THE AFL DRAFT?
I think I'll watch it at home with Mum and Dad.
HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING MUCH ABOUT THE DRAFT?
Honestly, people have been asking me about it but I try not to think about it. I'm trying to stay clear from all that at the moment.
HAVE CLUBS MADE MUCH CONTACT WITH YOU AFTER AFL COMBINE?
There's been a few.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF MOVING TO AN INTERSTATE CLUB?
It's not really a massive worry for me because I've been a boarder for two years at St Pats, so I've been from family and friends for awhile. If I get an opportunity anywhere, I want to make the most of it.
WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK ABOUT THE CHANCE OF YOU MOVING INTERSTATE?
They're fine with it. They know this is something that I want to do and to get picked by any club is a massive achievement.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PLAYER?
My kicking, speed, body strength, and I'm versatile.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PERSON?
Good character, I'm good to be around. I'm hard-working but enjoy myself.
PREFERRED POSITION?
Midfield.
REBELS TALENT MANAGER PHIL PARTINGTON: "Tom's had a great year. As a 17-year-old last season, he didn't bring much to the table on match day - athletically he was good - but he's been really diligent in his preparations to get better and performed well this TAC Cup season. One of the most athletic players on the Rebels' list."