By JARROD POTTER
FROM sea to sky, Dandenong Stingrays’ two AFL draftees – Zak Jones and Billy Hartung – are set to soar in their new AFL careers.
At last night’s AFL national draft, held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Stingrays pair didn’t have to wait long for their names to be called.
The Sydney Swans called Jones’ number first – taking him with their first pick in the draft at pick 15.
Hartung dropped to the second round where he will join the reigning premiers, Hawthorn Hawks, via pick 24.
Dandenong Stingrays coach Craig Black was thrilled for the two players to get into the AFL system.
“It was really good, obviously they’ve both gone to pretty good clubs,” Black said.
“Zak going pick 15 to Sydney and Billy going to Hawthorn … two clubs that are up in the top of the ladder, so I think once they get into pre-season they’ll have to work pretty hard but it will be a great opportunity for them both.”
Black was surprised Hartung slipped past St Kilda – after all speculation had him touted to become a Saint; and with the Swans taking Jones via their first pick.
“Honestly – I’m up here at the moment – all the clubs kept it pretty quiet in the last moments before the draft,” Black said.
“Thought Billy might go to St Kilda at 18/19 – when he was still left on the board.
“Hawthorn was pretty happy to take him with their first pick and rated Billy pretty highly.
“Zak to Sydney, the whispers were Geelong or St Kilda, but Sydney obviously rated him pretty highly as a small defender who can go in the midfield.”
Black said the Stingrays were proud to see Tom Curren upgraded to the St Kilda main list after his selection at pick 24 in the 2011 AFL rookie draft.
The Dandenong flavour of the AFL draft was also represented through the schoolboy system as Haileybury College students Nathan Freeman (Collingwood, pick 10) and Karl Amon (Port Adelaide, pick 68) also joined the ranks of AFL footballers.
Endeavour Hills’ Jay Kennedy-Harris, who played for the Oakleigh Chargers and Trinity Grammar, was selected at pick 40 by the Melbourne Demons.
