Rayner’s a Lion at pick No. 1
BRISBANE have taken Victorian midfielder Cameron Rayner with the first overall pick at the 2017 AFL draft.
The Western Jets onballer was widely tipped to claim the No. 1 mantle, so it came as no surprise when the Lions called his name first at last night’s draft meeting in Sydney.
Rayner has won rave reviews for his strength at the contest and ability to go forward and kick a goal, which has resulted in him being likened to Richmond star Dustin Martin.
“I’m just really excited and happy to be a part of the Brisbane Lions,” Rayner said.
“I think it’s such a big honour seeing some of the players that have been before me ( at No. 1). I’ve got some big shoes to fill.
“I’m just really looking forward to getting up there and getting to work.”
Fremantle snapped up Sandringham Dragons midfielder Andrew Brayshaw with the second overall selection, while Carlton claimed Bendigo Pioneers onballer Paddy Dow with the third pick.
Dow grew up on a 60ha fruit farm near Swan Hill and some clubs rated him the No. 1 pick of the draft.
Geelong great Cameron Ling, who developed the 184cm midfielder at Geelong Grammar School this year, last night said Dow could prove a key player interchanging between the midfield and fullforward in a huge boost to Carlton’s promising rebuild.
“I’m not surprised he ( went) that high,” Ling said.
“And I’ll tell you what else they’re getting, an absolute ripping kid, one who’s never going to leave anything in the tank.
‘‘ He will make the most of his AFL career.”
Dow’s burst from stoppages has long been compared with Geelong gun Patrick Dangerfield.
Dow racked up 35 disposals, six clearances and kicked two goals in his final TAC Cup match and then underwent a shoulder reconstruction.
He won 60 per cent of his Vic Country disposals contested.
Ling said when Dow joined Patrick Cripps as a threat at AFL level it would allow Blues captain Marc Murphy to end his career by “getting off the chain a lot more”.
“Paddy would work extremely well ( with Cripps) and then there’s ( Sam) PetrevskiSeton, who could get more time exploding alongside those two contested- type ball players,” Ling said. “I think he’ll be a great get for the Blues.”
Pioneers talent manager Stephen Sharp said Dow was ready to play AFL footy next season and said his style was similar to premiership captain Trent Cotchin.