Bombers hopeful of snaring Camporeale - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Bombers hopeful of snaring Camporeale

By Roger Vaughan 12/12/2005 07:53:45 PM Comments (0)

Scott Camporeale's transfer to Essendon and the non-selection of Shane Woewodin are the likely major outcomes on Tuesday in the AFL pre-season draft.

But it is the rookie draft, held immediately after the 10 pre-season picks, that will have the greater long-term impact on club fortunes.

The early attention on Tuesday will focus on what Collingwood does with the second pick in the pre-season draft.

If the Magpies go with a young player, as expected, then Essendon snares Camporeale, the ex-Carlton veteran midfielder, with the No.4 selection.

There was speculation last month at the national draft that Collingwood might take Camporeale with their earlier pre-season pick, but the likelihood of this has lessened.

Essendon is the only club with two pre-season draft picks and it will regain former Bomber Chris Heffernan with pick 10 after his three years at Melbourne.

"We've already gone on record to say that we're committed to those two players if they're available," said Essendon football manager Dominic Cato.

"We're not certain of that (drafting Camporeale), we're hopeful of that ... if he's there, we'll select him."

Woewodin, the 2000 Brownlow Medallist, has trained with the Kangaroos after his delisting from Collingwood.

Woewodin said on Sunday he was prepared to play for minimum pay, but unless the 'Roos throw him a lifeline it appears he will be without an AFL club next season.

Other players with AFL experience who should find themselves at new clubs after the pre-season draft include Dylan McLaren (from Brisbane to Carlton) and Brent Guerra (St Kilda to Hawthorn).

While only 10 players will go in the pre-season draft, up to 60 picks are available in the rookie-list selections.

A player aged 23 or under is eligible for the rookie draft, meaning delisted Melbourne player Steven Armstrong is one player with AFL experience likely to be snapped up.

The importance of the rookie draft has risen sharply in the last few years as several clubs have had impressive successes by bringing up prospects through this section of their lists.

Eight players in this year's AFL grand final came through the rookie list.

Livewire Melbourne small forward Aaron Davey and Essendon's Mark Johnson, and Nathan Lovett-Murray were also rookies before joining their clubs' senior AFL lists.

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