By Ant Wingard
Over a dozen Queensland footballers could land on an AFL team’s list after nominating for the upcoming mid-season rookie draft.
As first reported by afl.com.au’s Marc McGowan, 16 players from the Sunshine State have nominated for the draft as well as a handful of Queenslanders plying their trade elsewhere around the country.
The list of 16 is headlined by a host of former Brisbane and Gold Coast Academy products while Southport’s 2018 NEAFL Premiership has also been well represented in the nominations.
Former Lions trio Liam Dawson (Aspley), Jono Freeman (also Aspley) and Matt Hammelmann (Redland) are among those to nominate for the mid-season draft.
Elsewhere, the ex-SUNS contingent to apply include Mackenzie Willis and Matt Shaw (both Southport), while former SUNS academy prospect Emmauel Baru has also put his name forward.
Footscray’s Reuben William, Glenelg’s Matt Uebergang, Werribee’s Josh Clayton and Greensborough’s Tom Bell are among the other Queensland talent to nominate while playing football interstate.
Find the full list of Queensland players to nominate for the AFL’s mid-season rookie draft below.
Applications for the mid-season rookie draft were required to the AFL yesterday, May 3, following the opening of the window on April 29.
To be eligible, players must have nominated for the most recent National Draft or previously been on an AFL team’s list.
A retired player or player who delists himself must be out of the AFL for at least one full year to earn eligibility.
Clubs can only partake in the mid-season rookie draft if they have a rookie list spot available or an inactive player is registered.
If a player is selected in the draft who stays in their original state, they are ineligible to play against their former club unless both teams agree.
For example, if hypothetically Matt Hammelmann is selected by the Brisbane Lions, he will be unable to play against Redland in the two clubs’ Round 13 NEAFL matchup unless agreed upon.
A player though, can return to their former club for finals if their services are no longer required by the AFL club who selects them.
The mid-season rookie draft will take place on Monday, May 27.
As a result of retirements, long-term or season-ending injuries and selections made during the supplemental singing period, 14 positions are available in the mid-season rookie draft for the AFL’s 18 clubs.
Selections during the draft, just like the NAB National or Rookie drafts, will be made in reverse ladder order, with the 18th ranked club in the AFL picking first.
As it stands, six clubs, including Gold Coast, have a list spot available however that number is expected to grow following long-term injuries sustained throughout the home and away AFL season.
Nominated players playing in Queensland
Tom Ansell (Aspley), Emmanuel Baru (Southport), Liam Dawson (Aspley), Tom Fields (Southport), Jonathan Freeman (Aspley), Matthew Hammelmann (Redland), Mitchell Johnson (Southport), Michael Manteit (Southport), Matthew McGannon (Redland), Ethan Reeves (Southport), Tyler Roos (Southport), Matt Shaw (Southport), Jake Spencer (Aspley), Jack Tomkinson (Aspley), Josh Williams (Southport), Mackenzie Willis (Southport)
