ALTONA’S Sean Tighe faced an uncertain period last year after confronting several problems including quitting school in the middle of his VCE while his AFL dreams were unsettled after a quiet debut season for the Western Jets. To now, the transformation to him appears surreal. He finished his VCE at Caroline Springs Secondary College this

FOR all the hype and media attention surrounding the first potential Sudanese AFL footballer, there were only shattered dreams at the end of it all for Majak Daw. The athletic Western Jets utility said it felt as if he had “lost something” on the night of his Mackillop College school graduation. Another Jet, Sean Tighe,

NEW West Coast Eagle Koby Stevens was one of the sliders in the draft but it didn’t worry the Bairnsdale country kid one bit. The Gippsland Power co-captain was eventually an Eagle at pick 23 after being floated as a top 10 target throughout the draft. Insiders say Stevens is a steal for the Eagles.

DON’T miss our live coverage of the 2009 AFL national draft from 6:30pm on Thursday night. Our roving sports reporter from The Sunday Age Brent Diamond will deliver his verdict on your clubs picks and have all the latest from the Melbourne Exhibition Centre

BRISBANE Lions midfielder Daniel Rich’s blistering debut season has given self belief to several draft hopefuls in state leagues this season. For so long, AFL clubs have been patiently awaiting their draft prospects to blossom through the TAC Cup in three or four years from the day they are drafted. Now, players such as East

FN EXCLUSIVE: A FIVE day escape on the Gold Coast was one last chance to let the hair down for Gippsland Power draft hopefuls Koby Stevens, John Butcher and Campbell Heath before Thursday night’s AFL national draft. The two young guns from the Power – joined several other football team-mates from Gippsland Grammar School –

SOME under 18 players would argue that they missed out on AFL draft selection because they were played in the wrong position. Calder Cannons’ high-flying forward Serhat Temel was almost going to be another one. He spent the first half of the TAC Cup season playing as a roaming defender, in a role that he

JASPER McMillan-Pittard is one potential draftee that is talking the talk. Most young footballers let their physical skills do the talking, but this Geelong Falcon impressed AFL clubs at the recent AFL draft camp so much so that some even talked him up as a future assistant coach. Since then, his interest from clubs has

DRAFT hopeful Jack Fitzpatrick will have one ear fine tuned to the radio broadcast of the AFL draft and the other to his school graduation ceremony at Mooney Valley Racecourse – in what shapes as a nervous Thursday November 26 for him and several other Mackillop College class mates. Other Western Jets draft hopefuls –

BRETT Goodes has felt the opportunity to join his brother Adam and Sydney’s dual Brownlow Medallist in the AFL ranks had passed him by. Now the prolific North Ballarat midfielder is part of a cluster of VFL players being hunted and interviewed for mature age rookie list positions in December’s AFL rookie draft. It is

ONE split second was the difference for Western Jets midfielder Johnny Rayner in missing out on qualifying for the under 20 world junior athletics team at 17. Now, the 18-year-old from Keilor is hoping athletics can help fast-track an AFL career after having a stellar season at the Jets, finishing fourth in their best and

LATE bloomer Myles Sewell is destined to be a tale of persistence and determination like his star Hawthorn brother Brad. According to the North Ballarat hierarchy, at least four AFL clubs – including Hawthorn – have made contact regarding the J.J Liston Trophy winner in the past month with Sewell’s name likely to be called

GEELONG Falcons midfielder Allen Christensen reminded recruiters of his midfield prowess and leadership abilities to notch 31 disposals in a best on ground performance in the Falcons’ 41-point win over Gold Coast at Visy Park yesterday. Falcons coach Garry Hocking said the evasive and quick thinking on-baller took over the leadership responsibilities of skipper and

TOM Scully, the touted No.1 pick in this year’s AFL draft, was the difference in Dandenong Stingrays’ 14-point win over Gippsland Power in a qualifying final at Visy Park on the weekend. Scully, who is destined to be a Demon next season, notched 33 disposals and “helped turned the game” according to Stingrays coach Graeme

HIGH-FLYING Calder Cannons forward Serhat Temel booted eight goals in the second half to help destroy North Ballarat Rebels by 97-points in yesterday’s elimination final. The 194 centimetre Temel has had a break-out month in the TAC Cup, putting his name up in lights heading into this year’s AFL draft period. Cannons coach Martin Allison

WESTERN Jets coach Steve Kretiuk speaks exclusively to Football Nation reporter BRENT DIAMOND about the teams’ top draft prospects for

MEET Xavier Gotch.

Gotch, 19, is one of the hottest, young prospects in the VFL after missing out on being drafted despite talking to a swag of AFL clubs.

FORMER Calder Cannon Dylan Joyce officially made his mark in the VFL and has become a prime draft target this season

Excitement is gathering about the next young crop of potential AFL footballers, with several rated players performing strongly in the early stages of the U18 Championships. Heading the charge is Vic Country key forward John Butcher

Extremely highly rated midfielder who has worked hard to play AFL from his early teens. Has a fantastic work ethic, great attack on the football and skills and speed to match. Seems to know where the ball is going before anyone else does and is an out-and-out footballer. Plays for Dandenong Stingrays and will represent Vic Metro again in

The clear standout key forward in the early part of 2009, Butcher is a shade under 200cm (and could keep growing). Outstanding performance for Vic Country in the 2008 U18 Championships. Has great contested marking ability and is excellent at ground level for a big man. With so much upside and ability it is hard to see him drafted outside the top three in

Lucas’ game combines serious football class with terrific running power. He is an outside midfielder but he plays that role close to perfection. His biggest drawback is his very slight frame, but hopefully he can overcome this once in the AFL system. Has excellent kicking skills and always stands out

The tall, powerful utility/midfielder from Western Australia looks like he could do anything. He is very much in the Adam Goodes mould and has performed well in the WAFL in the early part of 2009. Has all the attributes to make a fine AFL footballer and would likely be ready to play straight away

This 200-centimetre plus forward is athletic and he has plenty of potential. Represents the Western Jets in the TAC Cup and had some terrific outings in 2008, but also some average performances. He is a player recruiters will be keeping a very close eye on, because on potential he is a top three pick. Capable of taking strong marks and kicking bags of goals

An inside midfielder who is hard, hungry and loves to burst out of packs with the ball in hand, Gysberts would be a great addition to any AFL club. Has lightning quick hands and is a fine tackler. At 189 centimetres he can play tall for a midfielder, pulling down marks in the way Paul Hasleby does. Played well for Vic Metro in 2008 and regularly picks up more than 20 possessions

Another young gun to impress in the WAFL this year, Duncan is a quality young prospect. Has been touted as a natural leader and has played mostly across the halfback line. Is not tall but is well built and certainly has great disposal. He has the ability to collect high possessions, as he showed in the U16 Championships a couple of years ago. He could be drafted in the first round if he puts in a good champs for WA in

A medium sized halfback flanker, Sheppard has put in some excellent performances in the WAFL so far in 2009. He has plenty of pace and loves to run off his opponent and win the footy. Has a neat, long kick and could quickly rise in recruiters’ plans if he maintains his form

A polished, balanced midfielder with good vision, Weller hails from Tasmania and played as a 16-year-old in last year’s AFL U18 Championships. He picks up plenty of ball through the midfield and plays both inside and outside roles. It will be very interesting to watch him in the 2009 Championships, where hopefully he can stake his claim for a high pick.

A strong, medium-tall forward, Tapscott is not a high possession winner but he is one of those players who hurts the opposition with his disposals. Plays mainly close to goal and is an excellent finisher. Likes to bustle through in a straight line and has an outstanding goal sense. Missed some games in the U18 Championships last year but impressed in others. Could go up a level in

This small forward boasts exceptional pace and has really stood out in some WAFL games to date in 2009. Playing for East Fremantle, Kyanga nips around contests and packs and is always looking to create something. At times he simply breaks away with his blistering speed. There are question marks over his skill level, however, and sometimes he fumbles marks