Star

Hawthorn snares Knights’

By Luke Sheehan

1st December 2009 11:05:09 AM

NORTHERN Knights had a quiet night at the AFL national draft when compared to previous years.

However one of its “roughie” draft chances, Sam Grimely, was snared by Hawthorn.

Grimely was not included in the AFL draft player profile booklet, which included more than 200 players, proving his underdog status as a draft pick.

The young and tall footballer played only four games for the Knights this year.

Prior to this he had not played much competitive football at all, according to Knights’ manager Peter Kennedy.

“He will be a developing player on the list, given his background and lack of footy,” Kennedy said.

Grimely has an extensive sporting history but it has been mostly in basketball.

He only made the commitment to football at the Knights 12 months ago, however on Friday morning he was at an induction at the Hawthorn Football Club being welcomed as an AFL player.

Kennedy admitted it would be a tough transition for Grimely to make, going off four TAC Cup games to an AFL list.

“He’s got a lot of catching up to do,” he said.

“Sam is 199 (centimetres), and he’s got a little bit of running left in terms of improvement.”

Kennedy said non-drafted Knights players should remain positive for the rookie and pre-season drafts.

“Looking at it (the draft), there were 17 promoted rookies, so that might be a bit of a trend there of AFL clubs listing rookie players then elevating them,” he said.

“The rookie draft is becoming more important to clubs, due to less cost and less risk.”

Kennedy said the players that should be hopeful of a rookie-listing for the Knights included AFL draft camp attendees Tom Hill and Dylan Grimes, Morrish medallist Anton Woods and Knights’ 2009 best and fairest Kane Lambert.

The pre-season and rookie drafts will both take place on 15 December to give a last-gasp chance for the Knights boys to get onto an AFL list.