Four more AFL Sydney players join AFL lists in 2018

Image courtesy of St George Dragons Media.

 

Four players from the AFL Sydney competition have been drafted into the AFL following the 2017 NAB AFL Draft Period.

Nick Shipley became the first AFL Sydney player to be drafted in 2017, called at Pick 64 at the NAB AFL Draft on Friday night. As a GWS GIANTS Academy member, Shipley also played for the St George Dragons.

Shipley made history on Friday night becoming the first ever GIANTS Academy member from Western Sydney to be drafted into the AFL.

Shipley’s teammate at the Dragons, Jake Brown was also listed, picked up as a Category B Rookie by the Sydney Swans in the Rookie Draft on Monday.

Hailing from Coffs Harbour, Jake Brown was an inaugural member of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy. In 2016, Brown was overlooked in the AFL Draft, but earned his opportunity after impressing with the Swans’ Under 19 NEAFL Development Squad, where he picked up a NEAFL Rising Star nomination in Round 17. He becomes the first player from the North Coast to be drafted into the AFL.

The UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs were also successful in the Rookie Draft, producing two of the newest AFL listed players in James Bell and Jack Buckley.

Both the Swans and GIANTS announced their signings prior to the NAB AFL Rookie Draft 5pm start, selecting each as Category B Rookies.

Bell joined the QBE Sydney Swans Academy from the Illawarra region, and has been a state player for the NSW/ACT Rams and Allies squad for the past few years.

Buckley was the AFL Sydney Under 19s Best and Fairest Medal winner in 2017, and was a member of the Swans Academy in prior years. Buckley was available to both the GIANTS and Swans as a local Category B Rookie this year, opting to join the GIANTS in 2018.

The four newly drafted players join the likes of Dane Rampe (UNSW Eastern Suburbs), Callum Mills (North Shore) and Jarrod Witts (Sydney University) who are currently playing elite football in the AFL.

The end of the 2017 NAB AFL Draft period marks another successful year for AFL talent from New South Wales.

In total, seven players from the region were drafted including Jarrod Brander (West Coast Eagles), Charlie Spargo (Melbourne), Nick Shipley (GWS GIANTS), Jake Brown (Sydney Swans), James Bell (Sydney Swans), Jack Buckley (GWS GIANTS) and Doulton Langlands (St Kilda).

AFL NSW/ACT State Manager of Talent and Coaching, Darren Denneman says he is pleased to see so many homegrown players selected by AFL clubs.

“AFL NSWACT is delighted with its 2017 Draft result,” said Denneman.

“Seven players added to AFL lists demonstrates the great work being done by community clubs, AFL club Academies and the state pathway program.

“We look forward to watching this group of players make their mark at the elite level.”

AFL Sydney wishes to congratulate all players drafted onto AFL lists for 2018.