Hawthorn has selected key position prospects Ryan Shoenmakers and Jordan Lisle, bottom-age midfielder Liam Shiels, developing ruckman Luke Lowden and the skilful Shane Savage.
Ryan Shoenmakers
Date of birth: 08/11/90
Height: 194cm
Weight 85kg
Club: Norwood (SA) / Tea Tree Gully FC
At pick 16, Shoenmakers lists Ryan O’Keefe as the AFL player he most resembles. Tall and athletic with good endurance Shoenmakers is a good overhead mark and penetrating kick off either foot.
Finishing at the top of his class in the repeat sprints (6 x 30 metre sprints every 20 seconds) at the Draft Camp, Shoenmakers has great closing speed and has “all the key attributes to be developed into a defender”, says Hawks General Manager of Personnel and Strategy, Chris Pelchen.
Liam Shiels
Date of birth: 29/04/91
Height: 183cm
Weight: 79kg
Club: Eastern Ranges / The Basin FC
With pick 34, Shiels was one of three 17-year-olds drafted to Hawthorn and has his VCE to complete in 2009. Having trained with Hawthorn earlier in the year, Shiels has been identified as a clever, medium-sized midfielder. Has been playing football for only four years and may very well have been a top-ten pick next year.
Jordan Lisle
Date of birth: 12/7/90
Height: 196cm
Weight: 87kg
Club: Oakleigh Chargers / Carey Grammar
Similar to Shoenmakers, Lisle could eventually fill a variety of key positions at AFL level. At pick 50, Chris Pelchen was surprised Lisle fell so deep in the draft. With genuine size and footy smarts, Lisle had one of the more mature bodies at the National Championships in July and will be high on Hawthorn’s defensive depth chart.
Luke Lowden
Date of birth: 22/02/91
Height: 204cm
Weight: 87kg
Club: Sandringham Dragons / Caulfield Grammar
Lowden is another draftee completing his schooling in 2009. A genuine tap-ruckman, Lowden was the tallest player in the draft and is a long-term prospect for the club at pick 63.
Shane Savage
Date of birth: 05/01/91
Height: 185cm
Weight: 74kg
Club: Dandenong Stingrays / Noble Park
At 17, Savage has completed VCE and looks suited to the wing or a flank. Recognised as a dedicated and professional trainer, Savage has an excellent kick, impressive decision making and can lay a solid tackle.
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The views in this blog are those of the author and not necessarily the views of the Hawthorn Football Club.
