FOOTBALL

AFL DRAFT

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

TWO years ago, Gippsland Power player Ricky Mentha arrived in the Latrobe Valley from Alice Springs. He’s now one of the many 18-year-olds holding out hope to hear his name called out on AFL Draft night.

Beginning his time in football locally at Morwell, Mentha has played the last two seasons in the Coates Talent League for Gippsland Power attracting serious attention from AFL clubs.

Mentha has already had something of a professional football experience, spending time with Melbourne Demons during their 2024 preseason, brushing shoulders with some of the game’s best, like Max Gawn, Christian Petracca and his personal favourite Kysaiah ‘Kozzie’ Pickett.

The opportunity came about due to his involvement with the Demons’ Next Generation Academy (NGA), which featured Alice Springs in its recruitment zone. Mentha was also a part of the Marsh AFL National Academy.

“I went down and trained with them (Melbourne) through the NGA because (it’s) in Alice Springs,” Mentha told the Express.

“It was pretty fun though, I stayed down with Steven May one week and then went back again and stayed with Kozzie for another two weeks, so yeah, it was a good experience.”

Mentha said he and Pickett regularly stay in contact, having forged a strong mateship outside football.

Mentha isn’t some surprise diamond in the rough who has burst onto the draft scene – Melbourne recruiting boss Jason Taylor first laid eyes on him during a barefoot eight-a-side match back in his home state.

He began his juniors playing for the Palmerston Football Club in the Northern Territory Football League.

Mentha played in the Marsh AFL Under 18s Championships for the Allies (a conglomerate state side of New South Wales, ACT, Queensland, Tasmania and the NT) this year, and was selected as one of the best 22 players in his class for the Marsh AFL National Academy.

Mentha played two games for the star-studded Allies, while with the National Academy side he played against VFL opponents Coburg and Footscray – more than holding his own.

Moving to Morwell to live with his dad, ironically Mentha started playing basketball for Gippsland United before even touching a Sherrin around these parts.

Developing his love for the sport in the small, remote town camp of Nyewente in the NT, the ‘Truckies’ Basketball Club is where Mentha grew his talents as a player.

“I was playing basketball back in Alice (Springs) and I was pretty good at it, mum told me to try and move down here for more opportunity,” he said.

“Then footy just ended up taking over and I was playing just heaps of footy. I was playing (basketball) for like three weeks and then I got called up for footy and Gippsland Power… then Power kept me playing footy.”

Mentha had previously played state-level basketball back home for the NT in multiple years, and did a few tournaments with United before football rose to the forefront.

Not knowing where or if he would play football once he had moved, Mentha was kicking around Morwell Recreation Reserve with his brother, Gaylen, and his dad, Ricky Mentha Sr, where it just so happened that, at the time, Morwell junior and then-future Collingwood player Tew Jiath was down the other end of the oval.

“(He) was on the other side just kicking around as well, and he ended up coming over to us and having a chat and stuff and because my dad goes for Hawks as well, he shocked dad because he was CJ’s (Changkuoth) brother,” Mentha said.

“We just became best mates from there and he sort of hit me up with Morwell, texted the under 18s coach and all that… (the club) is good as.”

Needing a place to attend school while visiting Moe Boxing Gym with his dad and hitting the mitts, some kids his age put the idea in his head about going to Lowanna College.

The Newborough-based high school has been something of a local AFL streamliner over the past decade, with current and former AFL players Sam Flanders, Bailey Humphrey, Jacob Konstanty, Leo Connolly and Sam Skinner all past students.

Funnily enough, head of the Lowanna College Sports Academy, Alan Chandler also had deep involvement with Gippsland Power.

Mentha was joined by fellow Power player and eventual draft prospect Alixzander Tauru at Lowanna this year.

By the time he donned the Power red, blue and white, Mentha instantly showed potential as a livewire forward, although injuries limited his availability in his first year.

This year in his second season, Mentha managed 14 games with averages of 12.3 disposals, two marks, two tackles and six goals – although still dealing with injury setbacks and taking on higher commitments.

He was also tested by being switched into a variety of different positions, finding further impact as a half-back defender.

“I had a few games playing forward but the moving down back was a real good thing for me, more possessions and playing in different positions also (which) showed that I can play wherever,” Mentha said.

When asked what his preferred placement on the ground would be, he declared he’s happy to play anywhere the team sees fit.

“Down back at the moment (works well), but sometimes I reckon forward as well, I don’t really mind though,” he said.

“Forward means more goals and back there’s more running and touches.”

In one of his best games of the season in an away win against Western Jets, Mentha produced 22 disposals including 16 kicks and five inside 50s which truly strengthened his belief.

Mentha must have loved versing the Jets, as he had another standout game against them adding 16 disposals and two goals along with a significant performance against Dandenong with 20 touches and three rebound 50s.

“I reckon I had a good year, the game against Western Jets really boosted my confidence and the game against Dandenong gave me heaps of confidence heading into the draft,” he said.

In another finals year for Gippsland Power, they initially win their Wildcard Round against Murray Bushrangers by seven points before going down to Dandenong Stingrays by six points in the quarter final.

It’s been a wild two-year ride for Mentha with success and hardship, but he credits his dad for all his support.

“He has been my biggest influence, getting me to games and driving me hours away,” he said.

“He’s always been there, making sure I train and all that, he’s been real big (in getting) me to where I am.”

Mentha won’t travel to Marvel Stadium to attend the draft in person, but will patiently and intently wait to hear his name called from the comfort of his home alongside family and friends.

The AFL National Draft begins its first round proceedings tonight (November 20) at 7pm with the second round taking place the following day.

You can tune into the draft day coverage on Foxtel’s channel 504, FOX Footy or livestreamed via Kayo Sports.

 

GIPPSLAND DRAFT HOPEFULS

2024 AFL National Draft
Wednesday, November 20 (Round 1) & Thursday, November 21 (Round 2 onwards)

Gippsland nominees
-Ricky Mentha (Morwell)
-Goanar Ruach (Traralgon)
-Connor Scandrett (Traralgon)
-Josh Twite (Traralgon)
-William Brent (Traralgon)
-Asher Eastham (Heyfield)
-Alixzander Tauru (Warragul)
-Xavier Lindsay (Leongatha)
-Max Stobie (Maffra)
-Jesse Craven (Tooradin-Dalmore)
-Julian Callahan (Leongatha)
-Malual Aleer (Drouin)
-Noah Christy (Maffra)
-Max Donohue (Leongatha)
-Lewis Robbins (Maffra)
-Jenson Garnham (Leongatha)
-Ashton Wright (Maffra)

Expected to go: Tauru (top 10 prospect), Lindsay (1st round prospect), Mentha (NGA selection).