Brisbane Lions pick 8 Sam Mayes
Queensland’s Gold Coast rolled out the red carpet and perfect weather last night for the 2012 NAB AFL Draft.
Over 1500 fans, AFL Club personnel, sports media, hopeful draft nominees and their families converged on Gold Coast Convention Centre for what is the second-biggest media event on the AFL calendar.
The event was also broadcast live nationally on FOX FOOTY, 3AW, 5AA, SEN, Gold FM and streamed on afl.com.au.
In all, 94 players were picked up across the 18 AFL clubs with Greater Western Sydney picking 18-year-old Victorian midfielder Lachie Whitfield with their number one spot.
Clay Cameron was the only Queenslander chosen in last night’s draft, the Gold Coast SUNS using their 60th pick to name the Mt Gravatt AFC player as a priority zone selection.
But all is not lost for Queenslanders who didn’t hear their name called last night, the NAB AFL Rookie Draft on December 11 could yet turn their AFL dreams into reality..
How Queensland clubs faired in the Draft
The Brisbane Lions have added three exciting youngsters -a skilled midfielder and two tall forwards – to its list via the NAB AFL Draft.
Sam Mayes, Marco Paparone, and Michael Close joined the Lions at Picks 8, 23, and 32 respectively.
Mayes, the Lions first-round pick, is a 187cm midfielder/medium forward from North Adelaide and is an excellent utility player with height, skills, and running ability.
Meanwhile, the Lions have also bolstered their tall forward stocks, with both Paparone (East Fremantle) and Close (North Ballarat) towering over 193cm. Both have elite endurance, while Close also has the ability to back up in the ruck.
The Gold Coast SUNS have continued to strengthen its playing list recruiting a further two elite young players in the Draft.
Exciting Tasmanian Jesse Lonergan was the first SUN recruited, the medium sized midfielder selected with his new clubs opening selection of the night, pick 13.
Tim Sumner – a multi talented athlete with plenty of potential – was the GC SUNS next selection at pick 55.
Sumner can play forward and back and shows plenty of skill in key areas.
