By JARROD POTTER
ONE Magpie set to soar towards an AFL career on Thursday is Toby Mclean who has played his way into high draft pick contention.
After missing selection with the Dandenong Stingrays, Mclean, 18, from Narre Warren, emerged as one of the Oakleigh Chargers’ most reliable players.
He didn’t miss a game throughout the TAC Cup season and earned 13 time in best nominations including his grand-final medal winning performance in Oakleigh’s 47-point win over Calder Cannons.
“At the start of the year I didn’t know where I’d be or how far I’d get, but it’s turned out to be great actually” Mclean said to the Gazette earlier this year.
“I’ve definitely come a long way – from playing at Narre last year I never thought I’d even be playing at Oakleigh this year.”
The 179cm midfielder/forward relished any chance to fly for the ball and kick a goal – evident both in the TAC Cup (32 goals for season) and at Casey Cardinia level where he drilled eight goals in a match against Keysborough.
It may be Mclean’s last appearance at the local level for the time being, but he was thrilled at the time to turn out for Narre Warren and get a chance to play senior football.
“I really enjoyed it – love playing at Narre so any opportunity to go back and play for them I really enjoy it,” Mclean said in July.
With a second place finish in the TAC Cup best and fairest – the Morrish Medal – and an invite to the National Combine, Mclean’s season went from strength to strength.
He won’t be the only local chance to get into the draft as the Dandenong Stingrays are well in the hunt to land a number of footballers into the AFL football universe.
Highly scouted AIS-AFL Academy duo Tom Lamb and Daniel Capiron are the best placed along with forward/midfielder Jack Lonie and midfielder Bailey Dale.
Just how well placed they are remains a mystery to Stingrays’ coach Craig Black, with the AFL clubs drawing a veil over their preferred targets in an extremely close and competitive draft class this year.
“This year out of any it’s been pretty quiet – everyone is keeping their cards pretty close to their chest,” Black said.
“It’s pretty tough as no one is giving any info away.
“Normally you hear something, but they’ve all been pretty quiet… I’m probably seeing the same stuff as everyone with the phantom drafts.
“Because it’s so close… with some good players in there… the top six or seven will take care of themselves… after that is a need for what the clubs are looking for.”
Black also believes another Narre Warren footballer – high marking forward Aaron Wilson – is in the mix either Thursday night or at the upcoming AFL Rookie Draft as are and hard-edged defender Mitch White and in-and-under midfielder Alex Harnett.
Gippsland Power duo Jordan Cunico and Christian Buykx-Smith were selected for the AFL National Draft Combine and remain the Power’s best hopes of selection.
The AFL National Draft takes place on Thursday from 6.30pm at the Gold Coast Convention Centre before the AFL Pre-Season and Rookie Drafts on Wednesday 3 December.
