AFL DREAM COMES TRUE

TWELVE months ago Stewart Crameri thought his AFL dream was over.The Bendigo Bombers defender/midfielder had impressed in pre-season training with Essendon and was in the mix for selection in the rookie draft.On the day, Crameri was overlooked, with Essendon telling the former Maryborough junior that he’d missed out by one spot.After a week of feeling disappointed Crameri decided to use the knockback as inspiration for one more crack at the big time.He worked harder than he had before, had another solid season with the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL and earned another pre-season with Essendon.That hard work and determination paid off yesterday when the 21-year-old was selected by Essendon with selection 43 in the AFL rookie draft.“I’ve dreamt of being at an AFL club since I was about five,’’ Crameri told The Advertiser yesterday.“It’s a big relief to make it . . . all the hard work has paid off.’’Crameri’s pathway to the AFL was far from conventional.He was a key forward as a junior and played forward in senior footy for Maryborough in the Bendigo Football League.He then played three years in the VFL with the Bendigo Bombers.“It’s taken three years of hard work with the Bendigo Bombers,’’ he said.“When you work hard opportunities open up for you.’’Crameri said the disappointment of last year could be the best thing that happened to him.“Every single day I did everything I could to help me make it,’’ he said.“I’m sure I’m fitter this year than I was last year.“At Essendon training I’ve been consistently winning all the running over 400, 800 and 1500m.’’That hard running and his physcial stature - 186cm and 85kg - makes him a chance to play senior footy next year, according to Essendon national recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro.“Myself and Matthew Knights have seen a fair bit of him,’’ Dodoro told essendonfc.com.au“Bendigo weren’t a flash team this year, but he was one of the shining lights. “He has the capacity to step up - physically he is ready to go and has power, speed, a good vertical leap and uses the ball well and we look forward to seeing him play.’’One of the first people to congratulate Crameri yesterday was Essendon coach Matthew Knights.Knights was Crameri’s first coach with the Bendigo Bombers and played an integral role in developing him from a key forward into a hard-running defender.“Matty Knights rang me and said 'you’ve come a long way from the young fella that came to Bendigo training kicking those torpedoes',’’ Crameri said.“He was really happy for me, which was nice.’’Bendigo Bombers general manager Peter Lodewijks said Crameri’s selection was an encouraging sign for the club.“From our point of view if we can get one player drafted per season we’re doing well,’’ Lodewijks said.“Stewart proved that with hard work you can make it via our program.“It can take three or four years of hard work, but if you want to put the work in like Stewart did, you can get opportunities.’’Yesterday’s draft didn’t harm the Bendigo Bombers recruiting drive.Former Frankston midfielder Marcus Marigliani had signed with the Bendigo Bombers before being picked up by Essendon in the rookie draft yesterday.With Crameri and Marigliani on Essendon’s list it opens up space and cash for the Bendigo Bombers to add more key players to their list following the off-season signings of Hayden Skipworth and Jason Cloke.“We’ve been talking to a few players that were in the mix to be drafted today and weren’t picked,’’ Lodewijks said.”We feel sorry for those players for not being selected, but it now gives us a chance to sign them for next year.“We’re hoping to have a few more announcements in the next week or so.’’Two of those players the Bombers are keen to sign are former Bendigo Pioneers duo Kallen Geary and Shane Page.Geary, a shock non-selection yesterday, and Page have both trained with the Bombers this pre-season.