By JARROD POTTER
JAMES Freeman knew it was a long shot that his name would be called on Tuesday and it would be unexpected if he joined the AFL ranks on Friday either.
The Stingrays 189cm forward, from Mt Eliza, still remains hopeful of a last-ditch chance in the big leagues when Friday’s AFL Rookie Draft starts at 11am.
The short and sharp draft is the last chance for Freeman and a cohort of his Stingrays’ team mates to get a chance at the AFL in 2016, but even if he doesn’t make the AFL he knows this season has been a huge tick for him as he recovered from significant set-backs.
“Just have to wait to see what happens,” Freeman said. “It’s sort of not expected that I’ll get drafted, but it’s always in the back of your mind and I’m a little bit nervous and anxious… but that’s the same for everyone.”
A knee injury stopped his TAC Cup season last year after one match, but to his credit Freeman made the return to the Stingrays this year as an overage player and relished the opportunity.
“It was the main goal for this year just to get back into the team and play my first game,” Freeman said. “After the long year last year I was just trying to put all the work in and get myself right to play as soon as I could and Blacky (Craig Black) gave me the opportunity in round three and went from strength-to-strength each game.
“Pretty proud of this year because of where I’ve come from and I’ve enjoyed the season a lot.”
He booted 33 goals from his 17 games including a haul of six against Western Jets and he enjoyed standing up as a forward-line leader throughout the season.
“Being one of the older guys in the forward line I was able to be a leader, help everyone else out and keep everyone in line,” Freeman said.
“it was good being a 19-year-old this year because I could be a leader and I liked having the responsibility and helping out the younger guys.
I’ve been there (Dandenong) for three years and it’s been a pretty big part of my footy, and I’m really appreciate of what the staff and all of the guys have done for me.”
He’s training with the Casey Scorpions in the meantime as he looks to kick off a VFL career if Friday’s rookie draft doesn’t pan out.
“Been down at Casey doing some pre-season there and just trying to get myself fit – it’s been about three weeks between the combine and training at the VFL, so I’ve just been training all the way through,” Freeman said. “Casey were some of the first ones to ask me to come down and I wanted to go down and try it out – went down there, had a look around and liked it.”
With high-calibre names such as Gach Nyuon – All Australia, TAC Cup Team of the Year and Vic Country national champion – and Tommy Glen – Vic Country national champion – among others not taken by the clubs on Tuesday night, the Stingrays remain hopeful of a few more names getting called this week.
The AFL Rookie Draft will be covered on the AFL website www.afl.com.au and all of the local Dandenong Stingrays selections will be profiled in the upcoming week.
DANDENONG STINGRAYS ROOKIE DRAFT PROSPECTS
GACH NYUON
CLUB: Dandenong/Narre Warren
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 198cm/81kg
ACHIEVEMENTS: All Australian, AFL Academy, U18 National champion, Vic Country, Tac Cup Team of the Year, National Combine
OUR SAY: A premium tap ruckman don’t grow on trees, but somehow the clubs think they don’t need to take one like Gach in the main draft. While Nyuon is still a raw commodity at the elite level, but he averaged 22 hit-outs in the TAC Cup, was phenomenal in the national championships and can run all day. Ruck-poor clubs like Brisbane, Western Bulldogs or Sydney need rucks or a club even give him an elite mentor like Todd Goldstein or Nic Naitanui to learn off. Either way, he should get picked Friday.
TOMMY GLEN
CLUB: Dandenong/Beaconsfield
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 187cm/72kg
ACHIEVEMENTS: U18 National champion, Vic Country, National Combine
OUR SAY: Worth a gamble on an elite kick. Glen didn’t put a foot wrong for Dandenong over 25 games in his two main TAC Cup years as he knew where to find the ball when the time mattered. He was a crucial part of Dandenong’s magnificent defence – with six of them representing Vic Country listed at one stage or another. Can go into the midfield as well, but inside isn’t his forte. Give him a wing and watch him shine.
MITCH COX
CLUB: Dandenong/Casey/Narre Warren
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 180kg/78kg
ACHIEVEMENTS: Vic Country
OUR SAY: Cox flourished this year, whether in his three Vic Country clashes or taking on whatever TAC Cup challenge was thrown at him, especially through the middle of the season when national/school duties took many of his team mates out. Made his VFL debut and looked ready at the senior level. Whether or not he’s taken is unsure; there’s a chance he’ll make a rookie list as every club needs an inside extractor.
JAKE LOVETT
CLUB: Dandenong/Casey/Frankston YCW
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 182cm/81kg
OUR SAY: Melbourne might live to regret overlooking the fast and skilful midfielder. Had his injuries curtail crucial parts of his season, but flew home in the second half of the year – literally and figuratively – with an amazing speccy in the qualifying final not the only highlight on his reel. Surely is worth a gamble on a rookie list – Melbourne has space having promoted Aaron Vandenberg and James Harmes… if they don’t someone else will.
JAMES FREEMAN
CLUB: Dandenong/Mt Eliza
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 189cm/81kg
OUR SAY: Injuries have decimated his chances of making it into the AFL, but he’s a natural marking forward and a strong goal-kicker as well. Similarly sized to Tim Membrey, albeit a little less strong but just as gifted overhead.
THOMAS JOK
CLUB: Dandenong/Beaconsfield/St Kevins
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 190cm/72kg
ACHIEVEMENTS: Vic Country, Casey Cardinia premiership
OUR SAY: It would be a long shot for Tom to get in this year. Supreme talent – tall, quick with a huge heap – but missed a few matches and would be better for another TAC Cup campaign like Daniel Capiron. If he goes undrafted he would be an obvious player to bring back as a 19 year old.
OTHER NAMES TO LOOK OUT FOR: Zachary Rouse, Jordan Rouse, Lachlan Batten, Lachlan Williams, Daniel Capiron.
