Pies plunder VFL in rookie draft

Sam Dwyer is now a Magpie. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD recruiting genius Derek Hine plundered the VFL in today's rookie draft, snaring three of the most sought-after mature-age prospects headed by premiership star Sam Dwyer.

The 26-year-old Port Melbourne product has long been regarded as among the classiest state-league midfielders and entered the 2011 Liston Trophy a raging favourite.

The right-footer with speed joins Frankston ball magnet Kyle Martin and stingy Williamstown defender Jack Frost at the Pies in a rookie draft they monopolized after clearing their list in September.

Profiles of every recruit in our draft tracker

Port coach Gary Ayres said Dwyer would look to the NAB Cup to earn promotion to the senior list and backed the best-and-fairest winner to make an impact next season.

"I'd certainly describe him as very skilled, outside midfielder who can also play inside," Ayres said today.

"He's very smart in and around traffic and he certainly knows how to find space and then he can be very dangerous in and around goal.

"He's an opportunistic player and he now needs to run with the opportunity he's got."

Martin joins after winning Frankston's best-and-fairest this season and had been touted by some talent experts as the Jimmy Bartel of the VFL, owing to his football smarts and strong mark for his size.

"To come in in your first year of VFL, play for your state, and win the best-and-fairest is just outstanding," Dolphins coach Simon Goosey said of Martin today.

"He got tagged most weeks and won 25 possessions. People say what is it about Kyle Martin? Well, he just keeps winning the ball.

"I reckon he'd complement their midfield. He's got a 50m AFL kick on him."

Frankston Dolphins player Kyle Martin is one of the top prospects in today's pre-season and rookie draft. Picture: Chris Eastman Source: Leader

Martin, 22, was pushed to the VFL this season from Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty after dominating in the Eastern Football League, while Frost, 20, won his listing despite playing just four senior matches this year following surgery on his hips.

The brother of GWS's Sam Frost had a collective three goals kicked on him opposed to Cat Nathan Vardy and VFL spearheads Matt Little, Lucas Cook and Dean Galea.

"He's actually got an increase in mobility so he's moving better than ever before after those operations," Seagulls footy manager Chris Dixon said of the 194cm defender.

"His defensive work-rate, his spoiling and his closing speed is what an AFL club would like.

"He's playing on seasoned AFL and VFL footballers five years older than him and beating them."

Rookie class not so raw

Meanwhile, Goosey backed Leigh Osborne, who was snaffled by Gold Coast with pick No. 2, to debut in Round 1 next year after spending two weeks training with the Suns.

"He's got the pace to succeed at AFL level. He's a good size, he's a run-and-carry 80m player and he'll give them a lot of drive."

Werribee key defender Kyle Hartigan won a lifeline at Adelaide a year after narrowly missing out on a chance at St Kilda.

The Western Bulldogs rookie-listed player welfare manager Brett Goodes, who will turn 29 before the start of next season.

Goodes, the brother of Sydney superstar Adam, won two VFL flags at North Ballarat and has been tearing up the Whitten Oval track.

He beat injury-riddled Bomber Brent Prismall to the final place on Brendan McCartney's list after travelling with the club to their London pre-season camp, where his character and leadership shone.

The Pies also snatched twice-retired ruckman Ben Hudson, re-listed defender Peter Yagmoor and Queenslander Adam Oxley.
 

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