Coach says Roo beauty as VFL pathway opens
CLARENCE coach Jeromey Webberley says that the top five TSL clubs each boast at least five players capable of playing VFL football, including 19-year-old Roo Keegan Wylie.
On the day that North Melbourne announced it would choose players from the TSL to play games for its VFL side next season, Webberley said the State League was packed with choices.
“There’s probably five or six players from each of the teams that finished in the top five this year that could go over and play VFL football,” he said. “We wouldn’t want to stop them but they should only be the players who are on the draft radar, otherwise what’s the point?
“It’s important to remember you can get drafted out of the TSL and that’s something we need to realise — if you have a good enough year you can get drafted from the TSL and that’s something we need to strive toward.”
Webberley said players taken by the Kangaroos should be those with higher aspirations.
“It’s a fantastic idea for the right type of player — in the right age group, can potentially get drafted or is being looked at by recruiters, or a mature age player that has got some interest from AFL clubs,” he said.
“Keegan would be a good option. He’s a great mark, he can intercept the ball down back, he’s got great skills and he’s really advanced his running skills in terms of endurance. He’s a really good leader and while he’s got some improving to do, he might be a candidate if he has a fantastic start to the year.”
North Melbourne’s VFL manager Andrew Carson said the partnership, which extended to TSLW players to play VFLW via the Melbourne University Women’s Football Club, was designed to help retain the TSL talent pool in both the men’s and women’s competitions and reduce the number of players leaving to pursue football careers interstate.
“We’re committed to developing the game and players in Tasmania and jumped at this opportunity to further enhance the prospects of TSL players,” Carson said.
“These players will have the opportunity to come and train with us and be exposed to the AFL standards and requirements that we set for our VFL players.”
“There is an added bonus for these players who will now have exposure across two State League competitions. The VFL produced another seven players through the draft this year, and we hope to help create more draft prospects out of Tasmania. We hope the players will be able to take their learnings and experiences back to their TSL clubs and help with the development of club programs.”