Seven Queenslanders were today selected in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft, bringing the total number of Queensland draftees in 2015 to 11, after four were selected in the NAB AFL Draft.
On Tuesday night, Eric Hipwood, Ben Keays, Corey Wagner and Wylie Buzza were all selected in the NAB AFL Draft, earning a spot on an AFL senior list.
Today, Josh Wagner, Paul Hunter, Matthew Uebergang, Reuben William, Josh Smith, Mabior Chol and Jesse Joyce were all selected in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
Seven members of the Queensland State Academy, the team which took out the Division Two NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, where drafted, while the other four were picked on the back of their form in the NEAFL this year.
Six of the draftees this year were members of the Hyundai Help for Kids Brisbane Lions Academy, while one, Jesse Joyce, was a Gold Coast SUNS Academy product.
The draft class of 2015 included Mabior Chol and Reuben William, two players who were born in Sudan before migrating to Australia with their families.
In one of the most remarkable stories of the draft this year, both Wagner brothers will play out their AFL dream next year despite being three years apart in age.
North Melbourne selected Corey, 18, at pick 43 in the NAB AFL Draft, and Melbourne picked up Josh, 21, with pick six in the Rookie Draft.
The good news didn’t stop there for Queensland with Samuel Reid, who grew up on the Sunshine Coast, re-entering the AFL system after two years, selected by GWS.
Collingwood has also re-rookied both Josh Thomas and Lachlan Keeffe.
AFL Academies Manager NSW/ACT/QLD, Mark Browning, said this draft result is direct evidence health of the game in Queensland.
“Today was a fantastic day for football in Queensland, and a reflection of how strong the game is becoming up here,” Browning said.
“As usual in Queensland, everyone plays a part. Whether it is a school, the staff putting in the extra yards, or the clubs and academies themselves, they have all played a role.”
Browning said that it is fantastic to see the variety of interest, and the variety of backgrounds each player has.
“The most pleasing thing for me was the amount of different clubs that have taken Queensland talent, and are engaged in the Queensland market, and have respect for it,” he said.
“To me, I took great enjoyment out of the boys from the NEAFL getting drafted. I am rapt with the two Sudanese boys in Reuben and Mabior getting picked, which is a great story from football, and a testament to the amount of work clubs like Yeronga, Zillmere and everyone involved has done, which should be recognised.
“And of course, it is great to see so many players get picked directly out of the two Academies.”
While the draft results in 2015 were fantastic, Browning hinted 2016 could be even bigger.
“Next year is probably going to be even more exciting.”
AFL Draft Queensland Selections
Pick 14 – Brisbane Lions
Eric Hipwood
Junior clubs: Kawana Park/ Caloundra
Senior clubs: Caloundra/Aspley
Queensland State Academy, Brisbane Lions Academy
Pick 24 – Brisbane Lions
Ben Keays
Junior club: Morningside
Senior club: Redland
Queensland State Academy/ Brisbane Lions Academy
Pick 43 – North Melbourne
Corey Wagner
Junior clubs: Sandgate/Aspley
Senior clubs: Sandgate/Aspley
Queensland State Academy/ Brisbane Lions Academy
Pick 69 – Geelong
Wylie Buzza
Junior clubs Lockyer Valley/Darling Downs
Senior Clubs: Mt Gravatt/Redland
Queensland State Academy/ Brisbane Lions Academy
AFL Rookie Draft Queensland Selections
Pick 6 – Melbourne
Josh Wagner
Junior clubs: Sandgate/Aspley|
Senior club: Aspley
2015 NEAFL player
Pick 13 – Adelaide
Paul Hunter
Junior club: Warners Bay
Senior club: Redland
2015 NEAFL player
Pick 16 – Fremantle
Matthew Uebergang
Junior club: Ipswich Cats
Senior clubs: Western Magpies/Redland
2015 NEAFL player
Pick 20 – Brisbane Lions
Rueben William
Junior club: Zillmere
Senior clubs: Zillmere/ Wilston Grange
Queensland State Academy/ Brisbane Lions Academy
Pick 25 – Collingwood
Josh Smith (Redland)
Junior club: Morningside
Senior clubs: Morningside/Redland
2015 NEAFL player
Pick 30 – Richmond
Mabior Chol
Junior club: Yeronga
Senior clubs: Yeronga/Aspley
Queensland State Academy/ Brisbane Lions Academy
Pick 67 – Gold Coast
Jesse Joyce|
Junior clubs: Coolangatta-Tweed
Senior clubs: Coolangatta-Tweed/Palm Beach Currumbin
Queensland State Academy/Gold Coast SUNS Academy
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
