Draft drought has a good side

by LES EVERETT

THERE'S been some WA footy hand wringing in the wake of the AFL draft. Only one youngster from the west, Thunder kid Daniel Wells, will be taking the ultimate step in the talent pathway.

The lack of interest in WA players wasn't a surprise. Our 18s team performed poorly at the national titles and the one All-Australian, South Fremantle's Matthew Moody, was too young for the draft.

Committees will be formed and restructures announced but on at least one level the news is very good.

The baron draft is a huge bonus for the forever embattled WAFL competition. Not only will the best 17 and 18-year-olds be available but the Dockers and Eagles will inject some talented players from interstate into the system.

It appeared Fremantle had some draft luck when West Adelaide's Byron Schammer was still available at 13. The midfielder was named in the All Australian 18s team this year and was one of the best when SA played WA. He's already noted for his endurance.

The two young Victorians heading our way both played in the TAC Cup grand final this year. Greg Edgecomb kicked a couple of goals for the winners Eastern Ranges while midfielder Ryan Cowley played for Calder Cannons.

The other new Docker is Brett Doswell who hails from Paul Kelly's club the Wagga Tigers and played as a defender for the ACT Rams in the TAC Cup. They'll go into another draft soon to see whether they'll play for East or South Fremantle, Claremont, Perth or Peel.

Further good news for the WAFL is Dale Kickett's decision to play on with Claremont and the arrival at South Fremantle of Joe McLaren who was a member of St Kilda's Ansett Cup winning team in 1996.

New Docker Brett Doswell

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