The man credited with piecing together the 2008 premiership team says the Hawks were stocking up on talent rather than addressing any positional vacancies.
“When it comes to the rookie draft ... we feel the players’ talent is what is required to force their way on to a primary list and then to become a good AFL player,” Pelchen said.
While the Hawks might have gone for the best available, some may see their first selection – tall defender Riley Milne – as an insurance policy if Trent Croad’s foot doesn’t heal as quickly as the club would hope. But Pelchen denies Milne was selected purely as a back-up for Croad.
“It might be identified that way by some people but it wasn’t the basis of the decision. We felt Riley was a player with real ability who was somewhat unlucky not to be taken in the national draft,” he said.
“There’s no doubt over time that with further development he can play a defensive role but it wasn’t the primary reason for his recruitment today.”
The Hawks selected seven rookies in Tuesday’s draft, four of whom have already had the experience of being on an AFL list.
Pelchen said it was in intentional move to bring some extra experience to the young Hawthorn list.
“It was deliberate this year. We are mindful that entering in the rookie list today we had again become the youngest list in the competition. Carlton and ourselves shared that mantle,” he said.
“We’re very mindful of the fact we’ve got a number of players who have carried injuries through 2008 and again into 2009. A couple of the guys that were taken, we believe can play senior football if required very early in the season.”
Pelchen was reluctant to make big predictions for the latest crop to wear the brown and gold but said he wouldn’t be surprised to see some of them become regular senior players.
“I will certainly say that this group of rookies in our opinion is the equal of any group we’ve had at our club in terms of talent. We do have some expectations in 2009 or beyond that several of these boys will become AFL players.”
