The local clubs that produced the latest AFL draftees

The AFL Mid-Season Draft has given 13 players the opportunity to realise their AFL dreams including a number of Victorians who have progressed from local footy.

Gippsland Power forward Ryan Maric, who played junior and senior community football with the Drouin Hawks, was selected by the West Coast Eagles with the number one pick on Wednesday evening.

Only 12 months ago, Maric was playing under 18 football for Drouin in the Gippsland League. More recently, he was stacking shelves at the local Woolworths. On Thursday afternoon, he will fly to Perth to join his new club as a professional footballer.

The 18-year-old is an athletic 193-centimetre, lean and versatile forward. But only a few years ago tipped the scales at over 100 kilograms before he committed himself to getting healthy through improved nutrition and fitness.

After completing his first pre-season with the Gippsland Power as an over-age prospect (Maric was born in 2004 and turns 19 later this year), he has been a standout early in the 2023 Coates Talent League season, averaging 19 disposals and booting eight goals in his three appearances for the Power. He gained further experience and exposure through the Young Guns series and in two VFL appearances for the Box Hill Hawks.

Other great stories from the mid-season draft include Eastern Ranges ruckman Clay Tucker, overlooked last year, getting his chance with Hawthorn at pick three. Tucker, who stands 204 centimetres, played his junior football for Scoresby, Lysterfield Wolves and then the Rowville Hawks.

Ethan Stanley (pick seven) has had a great season so far for Box Hill after playing junior football with Beleura Junior Football Club before progressing to the Frankston YCW Stonecats.

Brandon Ryan (pick 11) is a success story from VFL standalone club Northern Bullants. The 25-year key forward who stands at 200 centimetres has kicked 18 goals and now finds himself on Hawthorn’s AFL List. Ryan comes from the Maribyrnong Park Lions and played junior football for Barwon Heads.

At pick 12, Richmond has elevated James Trezise from the Tigers’ VFL program. Trezise hails from the Tooradin-Dalmore Football Club in the Outer East competition and had previously played for Berwick JFC.