AFTER a heartbreaking one-point loss in the TAC Cup grand final, Loy Yang B Gippsland Power is looking for solace in the form of the Australian Football League draft.
Power regional manager Peter Francis said the club had up to 10 players with a good chance of being drafted but was not prepared to name any individuals.
“Hopefully when the draft comes that will be the silver lining,” he said.
“They’ve played three of the all time great TAC Cup final… the boys have done themselves no harm at all for draft day and they’ve heightened their chances by the way they’ve played.”
Captain Tim Membrey and Morrish medallist Nick Graham have been prominent all season but Francis said there were no guarantees in the draft.
“We think we’ve got a lot of good chances but it just depends on what the clubs want and that’s really the bottom line of it,” he said.
“You’re not drafted until your name is pulled out.”
The Power led Sunday’s grand final until the death and Francis said it was a bitter way to end a fantastic season for the club.
“It is really devastating,” he said.
“We were in front with 12 seconds to go and to lose by the golden point… it’s devastating for the officials who have put a lot of work in, all our staff and especially the players.
“They’ve worked tirelessly for 11 months for that day and to miss out by the barest of margins it’s really disappointing.”
The Power held development days for their under 15 and 16 players through the week as they build towards next year.
