Ten of the country’s best young footballing talents have joined the Gold Coast SUNS inaugural playing list at tonight’s NAB Draft at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
It was a momentous night for the GC SUNS, one that represented an important final step towards the club’s debut AFL Premiership season.
To mark the occasion, the GC SUNS new draftees mingled with new teammates, club staffers, members and sponsors directly after the NAB Draft at the invitation-only Gold Coast SUNS Draft Celebration Proudly Supported by the Gold Coast Bulletin.
The 600-strong crowd not only welcomed the club’s 2010 draftees, but also witnessed one of the most significant occasions in the club’s short history when for the first time ever – and to raucous applause - the first complete GC SUNS playing list lined up side by side.
The GC SUNS were afforded eight first round draft selections as part of the club’s establishment rules, and with the addition of Picks 39 and 49, the club’s 2011 playing list is jam-packed with young talent.
As widely expected, the club took exciting Western Australian midfielder David Swallow with its first pick.
Swallow, who celebrates his 18th birthday tomorrow, received special dispensation to join the club as a sixteen year old at the beginning of last year. He was one of the GC SUNS best players during its 2010 VFL campaign.
The GC SUNS took Western Australian utility Harley Bennell and South Australian forward Sam Day with its second and third selections.
Other first round picks were Victorians Josh Caddy, Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch and South Australians Seb Tape and Daniel Gorringe.
GC SUNS rounded out their selections with Jeremy Taylor and Jacob Gillbee.
Gold Coast SUNS Coach Guy McKenna said he was delighted with the array of talent arriving at the club.
“It’s a great spread of talent. We’ve taken several midfield options,” said McKenna.
“Swallow’s a terrific, ready-made running ball winner and Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy provide some real midfield sparkle as well.
“We have a very natural and very mobile ruckman in young Gorringe, and Sam Day and Tom Lynch will offer plenty up forward.
“We’ve also landed an ultra-competitive running backman in Seb Tape and Harley Bennell can play back, forward or in the middle.
“Our later picks, Jeremy Taylor and Jacob Gillbee bring terrific versatility. So not only have we drawn in some real talent, we’ve captured a genuine range of players which is great for our depth.”
He said this year’s draftees were selected not only for their prodigious footballing abilities, but also for their ability to adapt to the Gold Coast SUNS way.
“We are a new club that is forging a brand new culture, one we hope will endure long into the future,” he said.
“We want players who will live and breathe our ethos and who will thrive with the sense of responsibility that attaches to building a club from scratch. We think we’ve chosen the right men for that job.”
GC SUNS 2010 National Draft Selections
1 David Swallow
Height: 186cms
Weight: 83kgs
DOB: 19.11.92
Club: East Fremantle (WA)
Already an elite level inside, ball carrying midfielder who can win clearances, dispose of the ball with polish and kick goals from anywhere. The perfect modern midfielder.
2 Harley Bennell
Height: 185cm
Weight: 74kgs
DOB: 2.10.92
Club: Peel Thunder (WA)
An agile run and carry player with great vision and anticipation who can play in a multitude of positions – midfield, forward, defence.
3 Sam Day
Height: 196cm
Weight: 96kgs
DOB: 6.9.92
Club: Sturt (SA)
Widely considered one of the most exciting tall forward prospects for a while. Possesses an extraordinary leap, is a good kick, is quick and strong and very hard to match up on.
7 Josh Caddy
Height: 186cms
Weight: 82kgs
DOB: 28.9.92
Club: Northern Knights (Vic)
An inside ball-winning specialist with a fantastic work rate. Can take a mark, is a lovely kick and is tough and courageous.
9 Dion Prestia
Height: 175cms
Weight: 82kgs
DOB: 12.10.92
Club: Calder Cannons (VIC)
A quick, agile mid who can play both inside and outside. Has a great combination of speed agility and endurance. A terrific kick and a quality tackler.
10 Daniel Gorringe
Height: 200cms
Weight: 88kgs
DOB: 2.6.92
Club : Norwood (SA)
A tall ruckman blessed with fantastic ruck-craft skills. Has a great leap and uses it well. He’s a terrific kick and shows great reactive skills for a tall man.
11 Tom Lynch
Height: 199cms
Weight: 91kgs
DOB: 31.10.92
Club: Dandenong Stingrays (VIC)
A tall forward with a huge tank. He’s a good mark and very strong in contested situations.
13 Seb Tape
Height: 191cms
Weight: 81kgs
DOB: 6.8.92
Club: Glenelg (SA)
A big, tough, strong and competitive backman who has great anticipation and exceptional closing speed.
39 Jeremy Taylor
Height: 191cms
Weight: 83kgs
DOB: 17.06.92
Club: Geelong Falcons (VIC)
A tall defender with great aerobic capacity and clean ball handling skills.
49 Jacob Gillbee
Height: 184cm
Weight: 76kg
DOB: 13.09.92
Club: Lauderdale (TAS)
A clever half-forward with a great ability to take a strong mark under pressure.
