COACH Brett Henderson acknowledges nothing is ever a given when it comes to AFL drafts, but he’s confident at least one more Bendigo Pioneer player can find their way on to a list on Friday.
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The AFL rookie and pre-season drafts will be held on Friday morning.
The Pioneers have already had Tom Cole (West Coast Eagles) and Aidyn Johnson (Port Adelaide) selected at the AFL National Draft this week, with Henderson describing it as Christmas come early if the club was to have more players picked at the Rookie Draft.
Among the Pioneers in the mix for selection at the Rookie Draft are Lachlan Tardrew, Marty Hore and Jayden Burke, who were all invited to the AFL State Draft Combine last month, with the trio also having played VFL this year.
“We’re reasonably confident that there are a couple of boys who are a really good chance of being rookied on Friday,” Henderson said.
“There has certainly been interest from clubs, but whether the clubs have better options that we don’t know about, it’s hard to tell.
“If we could get one or two rookied, it would be like an early Christmas for us.”
Tardrew won the Bendigo Pioneers’ club champion award playing in the midfield, before later playing in defence for Sandhurst in the Bendigo league finals.
“His work-rate, willingness to compete and general footy character is one of the best I’ve seen,” Henderson said.
“He’s the whole package and has been fantastic to coach.”
Tardrew played a VFL game for Essendon late in the season, while Hore – from Leitchville-Gunbower - also played a VFL game for the Bombers and was runner-up in the Pioneers’ club champion award.
“Marty can play forward, midfield or back and is really good in traffic with his decision-making. We think he’s an elite kick and really composed… nothing seems to fluster him,” Henderson said.
Golden Square’s Burke played one VFL game for Geelong.
“Jayden has great flexibility in his game. He can play forward or back, on the wing and even had stints in the ruck,” Henderson said.
“Aerobically, he’s fit enough to play anywhere and the real asset of his game is his vertical jump and he’s a great contested mark.”
Bendigo Pioneer Rookie Draft selections:
1998 – Marcus Nalder (North Melbourne). 2001 – Scott McGlone (Sydney), Djaran Whyman (Hawthorn). 2003 – Shaun Bergin (Hawthorn). 2004 – Ruory Kirkby (Hawthorn), Travis Baird (Brisbane). 2005 – Ben McGlynn (Sydney). 2006 – Jarryn Geary (St Kilda). 2008 – Rhys Healey (Melbourne). 2014 – Billy Evans (Brisbane Lions).
