Almanac Teams: Drafted, but never played a game

 

 

With the AFL Draft this week, this side it is devoted to players that never played a game. Some of the names you may have heard before for their exploits in the SANFL or WAFL, others are well known country or suburban footballers. The team also contains memorable trade names, players drafted by multiple clubs, Olympians, cricketers, family members of known sports stars and an AFL umpire. I did do teams earlier in the year on brothers and sons who were drafted but did not play a game, so I have not included any of them.

 

 

Hope you enjoy and if you have any more, please feel free to advise. Please note I have only done based on players that were drafted and none that played U19s or reserves that never played seniors.

 

 

FB:         Austin Bradtke (Melb)              Brian McInnes (Fitz)                                                Lachlan Veale (Haw)

 

CHB:     Shaun Baxter (WB)                    Luke Molan (Melb)                                                   Jamie Cox (Ess)

 

C:           Richard Anderson (Rich)          Andre Gianfagna (Melb)                                         Gary McIntosh (NM)

 

CHF:     Ashley Byrne (Fitz/Bris)           Darren Bartsch (WCE/Geel/Adel/Bris/Ess)      Craig Jennings (NM)

 

FF:         Christopher Ogle (WB)             Simon Goosey (Geel)                                               Willie Rioli (Haw)

 

Ruck:     James Tomkins (Melb)            Scott Morrison (St.K)                                               Steven Sims (St.K)

 

Interchange: Peter DiVenuto (Coll), Dean Gore (Geel), Scott Muller (Syd), Luke Reynolds (Carl)

 

Coach Neil Craig (Foots)

 

 

 

Austin Bradtke

Category B Rookie 2018

 

Bradtke was a 203cm 18-year-old when selected by Melbourne. Austin comes from rich sporting pedigree. His dad is champion basketballer Mark who represented Australia in four Olympics, played a season with the Philadelphia 76ers and won three championships in the NBL and one MVP amongst many awards. Austin’s Mum is former Australian tennis player Nicole (nee Provis) who reached Number 11 in the world in 1992 and made a semi final at the 1988 French Open and fourth round of Wimbledon in 1995, as well as the same at the Australian Open in 1989 and 1993. Provis won 11 singles titles and Bronze in women’s doubles at the 1992 Olympics. Austin was delisted at the end of 2021 and went to VFL side Frankston.

 

 

Brian McInnes

Pick 46, 1990 National Draft, Footscray

Recruited from Wickliffe-Lake Bolac

Pick 28, 1992 Mid-Season Draft, Footscray

Pick 1, 1996 Pre-Season Draft, Fitzroy

Recruited from Cairns

 

McInnes was a 189cm defender/forward who was drafted twice by Footscray, originally recruited from the small country club of Wickliffe Lake Bolac in the Mininera League. It is unsure which year he left Footscray, but he was playing for Cairns in 1996 when Fitzroy made the surprise choice of naming him at Pick 1 in the 1996 Pre-Season Draft. While the Pre-Season Draft is generally full of AFL rejects and they could not afford Darren Gaspar (who had a nominated price) the draft did contain Shane Ellen, Andrew Leoncelli, Peter Bell, Simon Goodwin, and Matthew Young. McInnes was one of two players (the other Nigel Credlin) that did not play a game in Fitzroy’s last AFL season. Post football Brian joined his brothers Joel, Al and Dean to form the children’s entertainment group ‘The Mik Maks’ with their most popular song being ‘Working on the Farm’.

 

 

Lachlan Veale

Pick 65, 2002 National Draft, Hawthorn

Recruited from Geelong Falcons (Colac)

Traded to Western Bulldogs in exchange for Pick 6 in 2003

Veale spent one year at Hawthorn playing reserves football as a raw tall defender/forward. After one year he was traded from Hawthorn to the Western Bulldogs for Pick 6 (which was later sent to Essendon for Danny Jacobs; Essendon used it on Kepler Bradley). This trade was known as the ‘Veale Deal’. The reason why the Dogs became involved was because Jade Rawlings was in a dispute with Hawthorn as he wanted to be traded to North Melbourne to join his brother Brady. The trade with North Melbourne could not get done so Hawthorn delisted Jade which meant he was eligible in the Pre-Season draft where the Bulldogs had Pick 1. As a thankyou for this good deed by Hawthorn, the Bulldogs traded them Pick 6. Rawlings had two years and 29 games at Western Bulldogs before he eventually got to North Melbourne, while Veale was delisted 12 months later.

 

 

Shaun Baxter

Pick 49, 1994 National Draft, Footscray

Recruited from Gelong Falcons (Bannockburn)

Baxter figured prominently in the excellent documentary ‘Year of the Dog’ which was based on the Bulldogs’ 1996 season. Early in the year Baxter was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a type of cancer. He fortunately survived and spent 1997-1998 still on the Bulldogs list but he was unable to breakthrough for a senior game. Baxter later joined Geelong’s VFL team as a supplementary list player and late played for East Perth.

 

 

Luke Molan

Pick 9, 2001 National Draft, Melbourne

Recruited from Geelong Falcons (Camperdown)

Molan came from my hometown of Camperdown and was a top ten pick in the 2001 ‘Super Draft’. He was expected to be picked in the 20s however Melbourne had a need to fill in a key defender position and Molan was considered the best in the draft. Molan was drafted ahead of the likes of Brett Reilly, Nick Dal Santo, James Kelly, Steve Johnson, and key defender Matt Maguire all within 15 picks. He was beset with injuries; broken leg early in 2002 forced him to miss the remainder of the season. In 2003 he suffered a cartilage tear and in his comeback game he broke his collarbone. Molan was delisted and placed on the rookie list after 2003 and despite playing most of the year for Sandringham (Melbourne reserves) without injuries, he was delisted.

 

 

Jamie Cox

Pick 19, 1987 National Draft, Essendon

Club – Wynard

Cox was 18 years old and in a hotel room in Perth with the Tasmania cricket team preparing for what was potentially his first Shield game (he ended up being 12^th man) when his phone rang and he received call from Essendon recruiter Noel Judkins advising he had just been drafted. Jamie initially thought it was mistake and they had meant to call his brother Stephen. Cox never tried out at Essendon and within the following year had accepted an invitation at the Australian Cricket Academy. Sheedy visited him in Adelaide to try and convince him, but Cox stuck to cricket and played just a few games of footy with Glenelg’s reserves. He played Shield cricket for Tasmania from 1987-2006 and played for Somerset in 264 first class matches; he made 18,614 runs at average of 43 and though he never played for Australia he was close playing for Australia A and in my opinion unlucky to miss the 1997 Ashes tour as a third opener. Cox was an Australian selector from 2006-2011 and was General Manager of Football Performance at St Kilda from 2014-2021.

 

 

Richard Anderson

Pick 4, 1986 National Draft, Richmond

Club – Norwood

1986 was the first draft conducted (though 1981-1982 had an interstate draft) and you did not need to nominate prior; you were just drafted. Anderson was 23-years old when he made his debut for Norwood in 1986 and won best first year player, having joined the club from Solomontown. Upon learning the news that he was drafted by Richmond, Anderson decided he would rather become a schoolteacher in Port Pirie in 1987. He returned to Norwood in 1988, won the Best & Fairest and made Team of the Year. He was forced to retire in 1989 due to a back-related injury. After retirement Richard went took his scholary career so personally that he went by the name of Richard ‘Dean’ Anderson and later starred as in the TV show MacGyver until 1994.

 

 

Andre Gianfagna

Pick 51 2006 Rookie Draft Melbourne

Recruited from Northern Bullants (Ivanhoe Grammar)

Gianfagna was an AIS/AFL scholarship holder and represented Australia against Ireland in the 2004 Under 17 series. Gianfagna played in the first preseason game but then spent the remainder of the year at Sandringham’s Reserves with one game in their seniors. Gianfagna was delisted at the end of the year and played for the Northern Bullants from 2008 to 2013 where he was captain in 2013. Gianfagna then became a field umpire and made his debut in the AFL in 2018. Gianfagna has umpired 103 games with four finals, including three in 2023.

 

 

 

Gary McIntosh

Pick 21, 1982 Interstate Draft, North Melbourne

Club – Norwood

McIntosh is the only player I have included from the 1981 and 1982 interstate drafts. Though not knowing not many players from that list he is probably the most recognised name on the list that did not play in the VFL/AFL. McIntosh, I remembered was known for his deeds in State of Origin, easily recognised by his goatee beard and mullet and fierce approach at the ball. There are better experts that can praise McIntosh’s career but in short, he played 336 games for Norwood from 1982-1998 where he kicked 165 goals, played in two premierships in 1982 and 1984, won two Magarey Medals in 1994 and 1995, was captain from 1990-1998 and played five times for Australia and 12 times for SA – he also won three Fos Williams Medals. McIntosh was nominated for the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2021 but declined as he did not play the game for personal honours.

 

 

Ashley Byrne

Pick 30, 1987 National Draft, Fitzroy

Recruited from Boort

Pick 1, 1991 Mid-Season, Draft Brisbane

Recruited from Box Hill

Byrne was a 189cm third marking forward who was drafted just short of his 18^th birthday. He spent 1988-1989 on Fitzroy’s list before he was delisted. Byrne joined Box Hill and kicked 44 goals in 1991 and was drafted with Pick 1 by Brisbane in the 1991 Mid-Season Draft but never joined the Bears.

 

 

 

Darren Bartsch

Pick 52, 1988 National Draft, West Coast

Pick 7, 1990 Mid-Season Draft, Geelong

Pick 29, 1992 Pre-Season Draft, Brisbane

Pick 66, 1993 Pre-Season Draft, Essendon

Recruited from West Adelaide

Bartsch was 196cm ruck/forward aged 19 when he was initially drafted by West Coast. He was spoken to by a few clubs prior to 1988 but he advised them he had just re-signed with West Adelaide (he had only played nine games at that stage). As there was no nomination required players could be drafted regardless of circumstances. Bartsch never went to West Coast, and he was delisted 12 months later. Geelong was next to have a crack in the 1990 Mid-Season Draft. Bartsch considered moving but knew there may be a possibility of a side from South Australia the next year and decided to stay. Though he was not drafted by Adelaide (as they did not play a part in the 1990 Draft) Bartsch was on the inaugural Crows’ list as Adelaide was able to list ten players who had been previously listed by an AFL club. He had stress fractures in 1991 which ruled him out for most of the season, though he played in 1991 SANFL Grand Final. With reoccurrence of the stress fractures in the 1992 preseason he was delisted by the Crows prior to the season start and then drafted in the 1992 Preseason Draft by Brisbane. This was a strange decision by Brisbane as Bartsch had already been advised by his surgeon to either have an operation or take the year off football; his decision made Brisbane were notified before the draft he was having the year off as he could not afford to not work. In 1993 he returned to West Adelaide to play, however Bartsch’s former West Adelaide coach Kevin Morris was at Essendon, and he convinced Essendon to pick him up in the Preseason Draft. He started the season with West Adelaide before he joined Essendon in May where he played 16 reserves games before he injured his groin. Bartsch was delisted at the end of the 1993 season as list numbers were reduced from 62 to 42. Finally he went to Port Adelaide in 1994 in the hope they may join the AFL soon, however after several back injuries Bartsch retired with a total of 59 games for West Adelaide, ten for Port Adelaide and the record of having been drafted four times and listed by five clubs for zero VFL/AFL games.

 

 

Craig Jennings

Pick 45, 1990 National Draft, North Melbourne

Recruited from Traralgon

Jennings joined North Melbourne aged 17 and played in the 1991 Under 19 flag. He played the following season in the reserves but was delisted at end of 1991. Jennings later became an opposition analyst at Essendon for ten seasons and then for three more at the Western Bulldogs. Next he was at Melbourne as a strategy coach, where he coached the Dees to the 2018 AFLX premiership. After leaving Melbourne in 2020 Jennings spent a year on SEN as a football expert before he joined GWS as an assistant coach in 2021.

 

 

Christopher Ogle

Pick 71, 2008 Rookie Draft, Western Bulldogs

Recruited from Western Suburbs NSW

Ogle was drafted to the Bulldogs under the NSW scholarship program and at 186cm could play at either end. Chris is the son of former golfer Brett. Brett won the 1990 Australian PGA Championships and then had success on the USA PGA tour; he won at Pebble Beach in 1993 and the Hawaiian Open in 1994. Brett played in all four majors with a best result of 11^th in the 1995 British Open. Ogle retired in 2002 and became a commentator.

 

 

Simon Goosey

Pick 47, Pre-Season Draft, Geelong

Recruited from Mornington

Goosey started off his career at Richmond Under 19s and won the league goalkicking in 1987 with 84 goals and was member of Richmond Grand Final team. At 185cm Goosey was probably too small for key position and was not elevated to the senior list. After a year at Mornington Goosey was drafted by Geelong at age 21 where he played 18 games for 42 goals winning the goalkicking at Geelong. After his stint at Geelong Goosey returned to Mornington though he had three seasons in the VFA from 1993-1995 with Frankston. Goosey played 253 games for Mornington until 2005 and kicked 1,605 goals with a best of 156 goals twice. Goosey then spent three years at Dromana where he kicked 256 goals in three seasons. Goosey played in eight premierships with Mornington, four of them as coach where he coached Mornington for ten seasons. He kicked 100 or more goals 12 times. Goosey coached Frankston in the VFL for five years and worked as a skills coach at Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs and is recognised as one of the best goalkickers in country Victorian football.

 

 

Willie Rioli

Pick 48 1990 National Draft Hawthorn

Recruited from South Fremantle

Willie was the younger brother of Maurice Rioli and father of current Port Adelaide footballer Willie Rioli. Willie played 48 games for 53 goals for South Fremantle and 104 games for St Marys for 165 goals, 91 games for 96 goals for Waratah and six game for one goal for Tiwi Bombers. Willie played in four premierships for St Marys and was a life member of the NTFL. Sadly, Willie passed away in 2022 aged 50.

 

 

 

James Tomkins

Pick 27 1989 Pre-Season Draft Melbourne

Recruited from Carey Grammar

Tomkins was 23 years old when he was drafted by Melbourne and was already a World Champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist in Men’s Eight Rowing. After coming fifth in the 1988 Seoul Olympics in the Men’s eight, Tomkins decided to try his hand at football again having previously being a member of the Hawthorn junior squad. Tomkins was 200cm so he had height that attracted clubs though Melbourne did have Jim Stynes and Steve O’Dwyer as rucks. Tomkins though would return to rowing and become one of Australia all time great Olympians. Tomkins was part of Australia famed ‘Oarsome Foursome’ that won gold at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. In 2000 Tomkins won Bronze in the Coxless pairs before winning gold again in 2004 Olympics in the Coxless Pairs. Tomkins would carry the Australian flag at the 2008 Olympics were he rowed in the Men’s eight. Tomkins also won seven world championships from 1986 to 2003 and from Pairs to Eights.

 

 

Scott Morrison

Pick 82 1991 National Draft St Kilda

Pick 119 1992 National Draft St Kilda

Recruited from North Melbourne Under 19

With the end of the Under 19s in 1991, Morrison did not make North Melbourne senior list and headed to the draft. A midfielder Morrison was drafted, delisted, and drafted again by St Kilda before being delisted at end of 1993. Morrison would play for three different clubs in the VFA in three different years, Springvale in 1993, Dandenong in 1994 and Frankston in 1995 before joining East Fremantle in 1996. Morrison in his stint in St Kilda reserves without his teammate’s knowledge appointed himself as Captain, Chief Medical/First Aid officer, Chairman of Social Club and End of Season trip, Captain of Defence even though he was a midfielder, Membership Manager, Chief Recruiting Manager and Public Relations Manager for the club.

 

 

 

Steven Sims

Pick 2 1986 National Draft St Kilda

Club West Torrens

1986 was the first year of the AFL draft in full (not counting the interstate draft of 1981 & 1982). The new team Brisbane has the first pick and pick Martin Leslie who has a good career at Brisbane. St Kilda with pick 2 draft 23-year-old rover Steven Sims. Sims had just signed with North Adelaide and had no intention of playing in the VFL. Sims would have a good career for Norh Adelaide where he played 124 games to go with his 59 games at West Torrens. Sims would play in two premierships kicking four goals in 1987 for North Adelaide and then in a fiery match against West Adelaide in 1991 he would be suspended for 12 matches for a big hit in the Grand Final.

 

 

Peter DiVenuto

Pick 67 1988 National Draft Collingwood

Recruited from Sandy Bay

Peter is the older brother of Michael DiVenuto who played 9 one day matches for Australia as an opening batsman making 241 runs with a top score of 89. Michael played 336 first class for Tasmania, Derbyshire and Durham making 25200 runs at an average of 46 and is currently Australia batting coach. Peter would coach Prahran in district cricket and play second eleven for Tasmania. Peter would represent Italy in 2000 and 2001 European championship.

 

 

Dean Gore

Pick 55 2014 National Draft Geelong

Traded with Pick 11 and 33 to Adelaide from Geelong for Patrick Dangerfield

Recruited from Sturt

Gore was 183cm midfielder who spent one year at Geelong and when the opportunity for Geelong to get Patrick Dangerfield across he was thrown in as an addition to Pick 11 & 33 in the trade. Gore spent two seasons in Adelaide reserves playing 39 games in the SANFL. After being delisted by Adelaide at the end of 2017 Gore returned to Geelong to spend a season in the Geelong VFL before returning to Sturt where he played from 2019-2022 before retiring due to ACL injury.

 

 

Scott Muller

Pick 69 2000 Rookie Draft Sydney

Pick 65 2001 Rookie Draft Sydney

Recruited from NSW-ACT Under 18’s, Junior club Tathra.

Muller was 183cm tall who was drafted and delisted twice by the Sydney Swans. Muller could not crack it for a senior game from the Swans and was disappointed with the brutal feedback given to him when he was delisted. Muller was told brutally that he can’t kick, and he can’t mark. Muller was found to be a good cricketer being a quick bowler with a very good fielder in the outfield with a strong arm.

 

 

Luke Reynolds

Pick 12 2014 Rookie Draft Carlton

Recruited from Port Adelaide SAN FL, via Pomborneit Cricket Club

Reynolds was 19-year-old 188cm forward who played 16 games for Carlton reserves. Concerns were raised with Reynolds conduct and enthusiasm for playing with Carlton when at training he was often spotted wearing a Collingwood scarf and beanie and when Carlton played Collingwood in the reserves, Reynolds posed for a selfie with Nathan Buckley at the ¾ break. At the conclusion of this match when Collingwood won by 4 points, Reynolds was seen high fiving Collingwood supporters when doing a lap on the boundary. Reynolds was promptly delisted. Reynolds has played 133 games for 171 games for Port Adelaide and Glenelg in the SANFL.

 

 

Coach – Neil Craig

Pick 16 1981 Interstate Draft Footscray

Craig gets picked as coach of this team as he was drafted (though interstate draft and he di not play a match). Craig played 321 games from 1973-1990 consisting of 126 for Norwood, 134 for Sturt and 61 for North Adelaide. Craig played in two SANFL premierships with Norwood.

Craig was a fitness and assistant coach at Adelaide before taking over as full time for Adelaide from 2004-2011 in 166 games for 92 wins making finals five times for two top four finishes. Craig was also Melbourne caretaker coach for 11 games in 2013 and an assistant coach at Essendon and Carlton.

 

 

Others

 

Michael Atkins

Pick 41 1989 Pre-Season Draft Melbourne

Recruited from Footscray

Atkins originally started at Footscray Under 19s having come from Bairnsdale and was selected as Melbourne third pick aged 21 after Dannie Seow and James Tomkins in the 1989 Pre-Season draft (fourth selection was redrafting of Matthew Febey). Mick was delisted after twelve months and eventually became a journalist before quitting in 1994 to buy a fish ‘n chip shop on the Geelong foreshore and coach St Josephs in Geelong. Mick is the father of current Geelong midfielder Tom.

 

 

Craig Black

Pick 55 1997 National Draft Carlton

Recruited from Dandenong Under 18 (Rosebud)

Black was 180cm midfielder who spent two years on Carlton list. Black would later return to Dandenong Stingrays from 2014-2018 coaching a premiership in 2018. Black then coached Collingwood VFL team from 2019-2022.

Shaun Brooker, Todd Hawes, Glenn Hoffman, Nick Loney 1991 draft Richmond

Hawes with Pick 49 from Swan Districts, Brooker Pick 51 from Sydney, Hoffman Pick 55 from Essendon, and Roney Pick 66 from East Launceston were Richmond first four picks in 1991 national draft, yet when lists were lodged prior to the preseason draft in March 1992 they were all delisted. Unsure what happened between October and March.

 

 

Hayden Burgiel

Pick 85 National Draft Hawthorn

Recruited from Gippsland Under 18s (Maffra)

Hayden was 183cm half back who spent two seasons on Hawthorn’s list. His brother Adrian had 2001 on Richmond rookie list. Both returned to Maffra where Hayden had two stints as playing coach. Hayden’s son Coby was Pick 29 in 2022 National draft for West Coast.

 

 

Luke Casey-Leigh

Pick 13 2007 Rookie Draft Collingwood

Recruited from Sandringham Under 18’s (Beaumaris)

Luke was 195cm tall defender who spent one season at Collingwood. He is the son of former Richmond president from 2000-2005 Clinton Casey.

 

 

Sam Chapman

Pick 26 2001 Rookie Draft Geelong

Recruited from Geelong Falcons (Camperdown)

Chapman is another AFL footballer recruited from the famous recruiting area the Pomborneit Cricket Club. Chapman joins Scott Lucas, Easton Wood, AFL boundary umpire Adam Coote and possibly Luke Reynolds of Pomborneit cricketers that made it onto an AFL list. Chapman was 180cm fast midfielder who broke his leg in the reserves and was delisted at the end of 2002. Chapman was also very handy middle order batsman and very good fieldsman.

 

 

Nigel Credlin

Pick 32 1995 National Draft Fitzroy

Pick 20 1996 Pre-Season draft Hawthorn.

Recruited from Geelong Falcons (St Josephs)

Credlin was 192cm tall forward/defender who along with McInnes was the only player not to play a game for Fitzroy in 1996. Credlin had 12 months at Hawthorn before being delisted.

 

 

Jason Dylan

Pick 1 1997 Rookie Draft Port Adelaide

Recruited From Port Adelaide

Dylan was speedy wingman forward who was on Port Adelaide inaugural list as the first ever rookie pick used. Unfortunately, Dylan would not play a game while Pick 3 from Norwood Nathan Bassett played 210 games.

 

 

Michael Godden

Pick 116 1992 National Draft Adelaide

Recruited from West Adelaide

Godden played 89 SANFL games for West Adelaide. Godden coached Woodville-West Torrens from 2010-2018 including a premiership in 2011. Godden has coached Adelaide’s SANFL side since 2018.

 

 

Chris Gowans

Pick 25 1999 Rookie Draft St Kilda

Recruited from Werribee

Gowans would play at Central Districts with brother James, playing in nine premierships and is the only player to win the Jack Oatey Medal (Best on Ground in Grand Final) twice.

 

 

Rod and Gary Gunn

Pick 33 and 46, 1987 National Draft, Footscray

Recruited from Hamilton

Rod and Gary were the Bulldogs’ second and third draft picks in the 1987 draft. Rod was 15 months younger than Gary.

 

 

Travis Martin-Beynon

Pick 4, 1988 Pre-Season Draft, 1989

Traded to Brisbane 1990 for Pick 53

Recruited from Western Districts Qld

Now known as ‘The Candyman’ he is an influencer and a millionaire tobacco owner.

 

 

Matthew McCartin

Pick 18 1993 Pre-Season draft Geelong.

Recruited from Geelong

McCartin was 21-year-old 196cm key forward who was on Geelong list for 12 months. Matthew owns the Barwon Club hotel 5 minutes’ walk from Kardinia Park. Matthew is also the father of current Swan player Tom and ex Saint & Swan Paddy.

 

 

Cameron McKenzie-McHarg

Pick 10 1999 Pre-Season Draft Western Bulldogs

Recruited from Oakleigh Under 18s (Scotch College)

McKenzie-McHarg had twelve months at the Bulldogs before returning to rowing in 2000. McKenzie-McHarg would win silver at the 2008 Olympics in the Coxless Four. He also competed in the Men’s eight in 2012 and won silver in the 2009 World Championships and bronze in 2010.

 

 

John McNamara

Pick 4, 1988 National Draft, North Melbourne

Traded to Geelong in 1989 for Pick 50

Pick 22, 1992 Mid-Season Draft, Essendon

Recruited from Port Fairy

McNamara was drafted by three clubs with his first at North Melbourne at age 16 as a tall forward, though he does not match Bartsch’s record. In a story in 2008 it said he had played for 17 clubs in Port Fairy, North Melbourne, Geelong, Essendon, West Adelaide, North Adelaide, Griffith, Happy Valley, Port Melbourne, Box Hill, Epping, Rochester, Seymour, Bendigo, Diggers, Moonee Valley, Berwick, and St Kilda City.

 

 

Shae McNamara

Pick 47, 2010 Rookie Draft, Collingwood

McNamara was 204cm and was Collingwood’s first foray into US college basketball. McNamara spent three seasons on Collingwood’s list.

 

 

Steve McQueen

Pick 47, 1987 National Draft, Geelong

Club – North Hobart

McQueen kicked five goals in North Hobart’s 1987 premiership and 80 for the season in a team that contained Bradley Plain and Simon Minton-Connell. McQueen did the great escape and never came to Geelong; he remained in Hobart.

 

 

Paul Newman

Pick 19, 2004 Rookie Draft, Melbourne

Recruited from Kyabram

Melbourne’s recruitment of Newman was considered a draft sting. Newman had 12 months at the Demons before he returned to Kyabram where he coached until this season.

 

 

 

Matthew Richardson

Pick 66, 1988 National Draft, West Coast Eagles

Recruited from Warracknabeal

Richardson came across and did a preseason with West Coast all the way from Warracknabeal only to be delisted prior to the 1989 preseason draft. Five years later Richardson debuted for Richmond and had a successful career…or it could have been a different Matthew Richardson.

 

 

Balraj Singh

Pick 79, 1999 National Draft, Adelaide

Recruited from West Adelaide

Singh was a 193cm key forward and was the first person of Indian heritage to be drafted. He was delisted though after 12 months.

 

 

 

Tristan Tweedie

Zone Selection, 2017 Rookie Draft, Western Bulldogs

Recruited from Eastern Under 18s (Lilydale)

A name like this and with looks like Luke Jackson, Tweedie if he played a game would have been a cult figure, sadly he was delisted after 12 months.

 

 

Jarrod Twitt

Pick 53, 1999 Rookie Draft, Adelaide

Recruited from Sturt

Another player that deserves a game because of his name; unfortunately he may have coped some ridicule.

 

 

Johann Wagner

Pick 51, 2015 Rookie Draft, Port Adelaide

Recruited from Central District

Wagner was 190cm 25-year-old forward when drafted and obtained his last spot as the winner of the Foxtel show ‘The Recruit’. Wagner though was delisted after 12 months.

 

 

Eric Wallace

Pick 41, 2013 Rookie Draft, North Melbourne

Recruited from North Carolina

Wallace was a 25-year-old and 197cm when he joined North Melbourne as an international rookie. Wallace spent three seasons at North Melbourne. Upon his return to the USA Wallace made it in the NFL as a tight end for the Carolina Panthers.

 

 

They are obviously still plenty more stories of players that were drafted but did not play a game, regardless of if they were a high draft pick but decided to stay in their state league or home and players that were drafted that tried for their club but never got past reserves level but had success in lower leagues. Hope you enjoyed the ones I did cover.

 

 

 

To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.

 

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?

And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE.