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Originally posted by southerncross
TOUCH WOOD
A CONCERTED effort to hide Camperdown's Easton Wood paid off for the Western Bulldogs in Saturday's AFL draft.
Bulldogs recruiting manager Scott Clayton said the club was delighted to be able to pick up the talented youngster at pick No. 43.
He said he was impressed with what he saw in Wood, but they had to keep him quiet as other clubs started to take an interest in him.
Clayton said the Bulldogs knew they had to take Wood with pick 43 as he would have been snapped up by Collingwood at No. 47.
``We've basically had him down a mine shaft for the last few months,'' Clayton said.
``He is very athletic, a great sportsman and brings a big, strong body to the club. We've got a lot of work to do with him and he's got a lot of development in him, but we're excited about getting him on our list.''
The 18-year-old comes from a talented sporting family.
His father Phil represented New Zealand at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in the triple jump while his mother, Fiona, was a top 400-metre runner.
Wood listened to the draft at his mother's home in Camperdown and said he wasn't expecting to hear his name called out so early.
``I wasn't paying attention and then I heard my name called out and my family went wild,'' Wood said.
``It was a great feeling. I had spoken to Scott Clayton and he said they were interested in looking at me for the draft and when
I signed with (manager) Ricky Nixon, a few other clubs asked about me.''
Wood said he wasn't fazed about not playing with the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup this season.
``A lot of boys who play in the APS (Associated Public School) get pulled out of the TAC comp, so the scouts do come and cover that.
``I was lucky enough to play a couple of good games when they came and watched us,'' he said.
``I'm not going to come out and play straight away. I know I've got a long way to go, but hopefully I can keep developing and utilising the skills I've got.''
Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said the 184cm Wood could play in a number of positions. ``He's a development player for us. He hasn't played a lot of footy but there's a huge upside to him.
He's a very hard worker and he's got some good traits, so he's a great pick-up for us,'' he said.
Six Geelong Falcons players were picked up by AFL clubs.
A CONCERTED effort to hide Camperdown's Easton Wood paid off for the Western Bulldogs in Saturday's AFL draft.
Bulldogs recruiting manager Scott Clayton said the club was delighted to be able to pick up the talented youngster at pick No. 43.
He said he was impressed with what he saw in Wood, but they had to keep him quiet as other clubs started to take an interest in him.
Clayton said the Bulldogs knew they had to take Wood with pick 43 as he would have been snapped up by Collingwood at No. 47.
``We've basically had him down a mine shaft for the last few months,'' Clayton said.
``He is very athletic, a great sportsman and brings a big, strong body to the club. We've got a lot of work to do with him and he's got a lot of development in him, but we're excited about getting him on our list.''
The 18-year-old comes from a talented sporting family.
His father Phil represented New Zealand at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in the triple jump while his mother, Fiona, was a top 400-metre runner.
Wood listened to the draft at his mother's home in Camperdown and said he wasn't expecting to hear his name called out so early.
``I wasn't paying attention and then I heard my name called out and my family went wild,'' Wood said.
``It was a great feeling. I had spoken to Scott Clayton and he said they were interested in looking at me for the draft and when
I signed with (manager) Ricky Nixon, a few other clubs asked about me.''
Wood said he wasn't fazed about not playing with the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup this season.
``A lot of boys who play in the APS (Associated Public School) get pulled out of the TAC comp, so the scouts do come and cover that.
``I was lucky enough to play a couple of good games when they came and watched us,'' he said.
``I'm not going to come out and play straight away. I know I've got a long way to go, but hopefully I can keep developing and utilising the skills I've got.''
Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said the 184cm Wood could play in a number of positions. ``He's a development player for us. He hasn't played a lot of footy but there's a huge upside to him.
He's a very hard worker and he's got some good traits, so he's a great pick-up for us,'' he said.
Six Geelong Falcons players were picked up by AFL clubs.
I am taking a punt that he will debut tomorrow. Here is an article on when when we drafted him as well as his stats, for those that don't know too much about the kid.
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