Nick Haynes is off to the Greater Western Sydney Giants, drafted at pick seven by the newest AFL club. 68844
By Jarrod Potter
IT was a good draft for the Dandenong Stingrays, with four players picked by clubs in the AFL National Draft.
Matt Buntine, Nick Haynes, Todd Elton and Jordan Kelly had their names called out.
Buntine, pick five for the Greater Western Sydney Giants, was excited to get drafted at pick five.
“I wasn’t shocked I was number five but I still think it was a bit out of me and a bit unrealistic and a bit amazing to be a number five pick,” Buntine said. “But I’m glad I’m at the Giants and that I’m the number five pick.”
Playing round one for GWS when they face the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium is the newest goal Buntine wants to achieve, but he admits there’s a lot of hard work to happen between now and then.
“It’s a long way off that’s for sure,” Buntine said. “Just got to get through pre-season at the moment… there are a lot of talented kids up here and I’ll certainly be pushing for selection but we’ll see how we go.”
Haynes, pick seven for the GWS Giants, didn’t expect to get drafted as high as he did.
“Probably just a bit of shock,” Haynes said. “I didn’t think I’d go top 10, thought I was in the 10 to 15 range.
“We had a function straight afterwards… met all the players and all the people involved so that was good as well.”
The thought of playing on his former Stingrays team mates, especially defender Jordan Kelly, has got Haynes excited for the new season.
“It will be weird… probably have a chance to play on Jordo (Jordan Kelly) at some stage maybe. It will be pretty interesting.” Haynes said.
Elton, pick 26 to Richmond, has no time to rest on his achievement, having already flown to Arizona to run through the Tigers high-altitude training camp.
“I fly over tomorrow morning. (Tuesday). I think it’s for 10 days, so that’s pretty exciting. Just getting over there and I get to meet more of the boys so it’s definitely pretty exciting times.”
Elton was ecstatic when he saw his name read out on television and can’t wait to get into the black and yellow.
“It’s definitely a privilege to stay down in Victoria and showcase my abilities for Richmond. It’s a great experience and I’m willing to give the opportunity a red hot crack with both hands.” Elton said.
Kelly, pick 38 to Hawthorn, was thrilled to be selected by the Hawks, with Kelly playing his footy very close to Waverley Park, having played his junior footy for Edithvale-Aspendale.
“I was excited,” Kelly said. “I’m a local boy about 25 minutes away, so I couldn’t be happier… no better club to come to.”
The plan for Kelly is to make it into the brown and yellow stripes in an NAB Cup match, with an AFL debut on the cards for 2013.
“My goal now is to play a NAB Cup game and see how I go from there,” Kelly said. “I’ve got a lot of weight to put on, so I’m not expecting to play next year.”
