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DESPITE the lack of buzz surrounding the 2014 crop of South Australians at the upcoming NAB AFL Draft, Port Adelaide recruiting manager Geoff Parker expects just as many to have their names called as in previous seasons.
But they might just have to wait longer.
South Australia claimed back-to-back NAB AFL Under-18 Championship titles this year, defeating Western Australia, Victoria Country and Victoria Metro.
But Parker told AFL.com.au that although the side was supremely coached by Brenton Phillips, it lacked the individual talent present in the two Victorian teams.
Consequently, while the top end of the draft appears set to be dominated by Victorians, its evenness could see successful Croweaters favoured over others after the first round.
Last year three South Australians were selected in the opening round, led by Matthew Scharenberg who joined Collingwood at pick No.6.
In 2012 Jimmy Toumpas was the first of six, when he joined Melbourne via pick No.4.
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South Australia has averaged just over 12 draftees a year since 2008 and in that time, almost four per year have been taken in the first round.
However, next week tall defender Sam Durdin is touted to become the state's only first-round draftee, but Parker said a rush of South Australians could be picked late.
"In terms of individual talent, I think there was more in the Victorian teams – Country and Metro," Parker said.
"I would imagine that Sam (Durdin) will be the first South Australian picked and probably the only one in the first round.
"The teams that win, it helps the players at the bottom end of the spectrum get selected … if you toss up between similar types and one's played in a successful team and one hasn't, you'd probably go with the successful player.
"I still think South Australia will have pretty similar numbers drafted as they have in, say, the last half-a-dozen years, but they just might not be at the top end of the draft, which we've gotten used to in the last few years with Scharenberg and (Collingwood’s Brodie) Grundy and those sorts of players."
Twitter: @AFL_Harry
