FOOTBALL
AFL DRAFT
By Samuel Darroch
THE GOLD Coast may have a new favourite Sun in Gippsland Power ruckman Jack Leslie, who was snapped up by the Queensland franchise at pick number 20 in last week’s Australian Football League national draft.
Leslie will be joined by Launceston defender Kade Kolodjashnij and Port Magpies’ medium back Sean Lemmens, who went to the Suns at picks five and 25 respectively, up north after being snapped up in the first round of selections.
Standing just shy of two metres tall, Leslie was a force at this year’s draft combine and emerged as one of the quickest prospects off the mark during testing.
Gippsland Power talent manager Peter Francis said the Suns had kept a close eye on the versatile tall this season, and was not shocked to see him go so high.
“First round pick is sensational and I think the good part is he’s going to a fledgling club… they’re really on the way up, they’re a young side so it’s probably a really good fit for Jack,” Francis said.
“I had a feeling that they did like him, they’d been in contact several times just about him through the year… (but) they hold their cards close to their chest all the time.”
The 199cm tall Power ruckman will likely be considered for a key defensive role at the Suns, who were impressed by his speed and conditioning.
“You don’t get too many boys at that height who are that quick, he’ll no doubt do a good job,” Francis said.
The 18 year-old, who represented Victoria Country this year, diversified his playing portfolio as a premier defensive stopper this season for Power in the TAC Cup, splitting his time between the ruck and the backline.
Francis said he believed Leslie could make an impact in his first AFL season, but would have to work hard for his chance.
“I’ve got no doubt he can play in his first year, it mightn’t be a lot of games but he might get a taste,” Francis said.
“He might take a bit of time to develop, I’m not saying he’s going to play in his first year or so but who knows, you never know; it’s just how quickly he adapts to it and the training load.
“Bigger boys sometimes take a little bit longer and he’s got some opposition inside the club as well; they’ve got some big kids there that have been there for a number of years.”
After missing out last Thursday, AFL hopefuls Josh Scott, Aaron Heppell and Liam Nash will have another chance in Wednesday’s rookie draft.
Leslie flew out to his new home yesterday.
