Page 50 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2013 YEAR IN REVIEW

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JARRED ELLIS – GOLD COAST – ROOKIE DRAFT, PICK 63
Playing his NEAFL career for Broadbeach, Ellis had an impressive 2012 campaign which saw the medium sized midfielder play every game in the U18 National Championships. Ellis showed plenty of promise, displaying his exceptional agility, poise, neat kicking and strong marking ability throughout the tournament.
Season 2013 did the young Queenslander’s draft hopes no favours, sidelined for the best part of six-months after shoulder reconstruction surgery. His 21-disposal game against Gold Coast in round 22 of the NEAFL exhibited glimpses of his 2012 form, regaining some draft momentum. Ellis showed his versatility at Draft Combine testing in late 2013, finishing equal first in the goal kicking exercise. Ellis was drafted by Gold Coast at pick 63 in the Rookie Draft, an excellent result for the electric midfielder.
ARCHIE SMITH – BRISBANE LIONS – ROOKIE DRAFT, PICK 69
Son of former NBA and Brisbane Bullets player, Andre Moore, Archie Smith’s rise to an AFL list
is remarkable. The teenager has played no more than 20 games of AFL and has been playing the sport for just a year.
Smith had played basketball since he was five and was in the process of deciding which of eight US college scholarships he would accept when Lions academy staff suggested he try AFL.
Smith played five games at the 2013 U18 Championships, averaging an impressive 18 hitouts. At draft testing, he finished first in the running vertical leap (left leg) with a whopping 97cm jump as well as impressing scouts with his physicality and imposing size. Smith, at just 18, stands 200cm tall and weighs 97kg.
Taken at pick 69 in the Rookie Draft by the Brisbane Lions, Smith has all the potential to be a dominant tap ruckman in years to come.
ISAAC CONWAY – BRISBANE LIONS – ROOKIE DRAFT, PICK 6
Aspley’s Isaac Conway is an excellent inside midfielder who is clean below his knees and has exceptional and quick hands in traffic. Conway played for both Aspley and the Lions Reserves in the NEAFL where he looked right at home against senior bodies.
Conway was the captain of Queensland at the National U18 Championships, averaging 20 disposals and further showing his leadership qualities.
Conway was unlucky to miss out in the National Draft, but Brisbane was aware of the Lions Academy player’s talent, selecting him with their first pick in the Rookie Draft.
FRASER THURLOW – ESSENDON – ROOKIE DRAFT, PICK 9
At 199cm and 100kg, Thurlow is an exceptional ruckman/key forward who is strong overhead and reads the game well.
Thurlow switched from Southport to Labrador at the start of 2013, and the move has paid off in spades for the young tall. He achieved his best season to date, with the highlight coming in the form of a best on ground performance against the SANFL at U22 level.
Thurlow was arguably one of the best developed ruckman in the draft, with an exceptional vertical leap and a strong, mature build. Essendon selected Thurlow with their first pick in the Rookie Draft.
BRENT RENOUF – PORT ADELAIDE – ROOKIE DRAFT, PICK 44
A Premiership ruckman in 2008 for Hawthorn, Renouf moved across to Port and has subsequently been downgraded from their senior list to their rookie list. Renouf is a very talented, matured bodied ruckman who has struggled with form and injury in past seasons.
JOEL TIPPETT – NORTH MELBOURNE – ROOKIE DRAFT, PICK 8
Joel Tippett will again join Brother Kurt in the big league having been rookie listed by North Melbourne at pick 8.
Tippett played two games for Gold Coast in 2011 before being delisted. He then moved to South Australia where he joined West Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League.
Tippett was offered a one-year contract with Carlton last year; however he declined the offer and withdrew himself from the rookie draft due to injury.