By ROY WARD
SEE: Stingrays to the fore and Garner’s nervous wait rewarded
ENDEAVOUR Hills resident and Rowville junior Taylor Garner was taken by North Melbourne with pick 15 in the AFL draft on Thursday night.
The 18 year old starred with Dandenong Stingrays and Vic Country during the AFL under-18 championships with the Kangaroos especially impressed with his match-winning performance against Western Australia at Subiaco during the national carnival.
Garner was predicted as going no lower than pick 20 to Collingwood but the Kangaroos stepped in at 15 to snap him up.
Kangaroos recruiting manager Bryce Lewis said Garner’s efforts at Subiaco helped pave his way to Arden Street.
‘‘ [He is] very strong overhead but equally capable at ground level,’’ Lewis said.
‘‘He had a really big impact for Vic Country in their national championship game against WA at Subiaco.
‘‘He was very impressive that day, kicked three and set up a number of others. He played out the Nationals but had a crook shoulder and shortly after went in for surgery so he only played half the season.’’
Ferntree Gully resident and Frankston Dolphins VFL half back Leigh Osborne missed selection as did Dolphins teammates Kyle Martin, Lachie Delahunty and Leigh Kitchin.
