World Footy News

With the 2014 AFL Rookie Draft complete, the final list has a predicted yet pleasing smattering of international players. Most of these had already been announced by clubs earlier in the year when they nominated their international recruits or “B List” rookies.

But it places a full stop on these selections when they are seen formally listed on draft day.

The list was kicked off by the West Coast Eagles when they announced Irish recruit, Patrick Brophy, as their Pick 45. He was the first of five Irish players to make their way to club rookie lists in 2014.

As it stands, the list reads:

Pick 45 – Patrick Brophy - Ireland (West Coast)
Pick 46 – Sean Hurley – Ireland (Fremantle)
Pick 49 – Padraig Lucy – Ireland (Geelong)
Pick 56 – Cian Hanley – Ireland (Brisbane)
Pick 60 – Mason Cox – USA (Collingwood)
Pick 62 – Conor McKenna – Ireland (Essendon)
Pick 68 – Ivan Saldo – International Rookie Category B (Richmond)

Richmond’s pick is little known to most, but he has a great pedigree and a Croatian background. The following extract is from the AFL website detailing Soldo:

“Signed by the Tigers in July, the teenage giant played one game with the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup before spending considerable time developing his game at Punt Road. Soldo has a basketball background, representing the ACT at state level in the under-16 and under-18 age groups and is the cousin of Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric, who also came from a basketball background. The Tigers selected Soldo as a three-year, non-registered Category B rookie.”