AFL National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan believes Lions supporters should be excited about the young future of Queensland football, with the success of the Lions Academy gaining momentum.
Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy prospects Eric Hipwood and Ben Keays are tipped to be picked in the opening few rounds of the NAB AFL Draft in Adelaide on November 24, with Sheehan confident the young talent available in Queensland will rival the traditional AFL states.
“This year for the first time we’ll probably see close to 20% of the talent taken through the National and the Rookie Draft coming out of New South Wales and Queensland.”
“That’s more than double the numbers from ten years ago, it’s wonderful to see that boys with choices – and no doubt they’ve got choices – they can play cricket and basketball, they might be rugby players in their junior years but now AFL is on their menu,” Sheehan said.
“We think more boys are choosing that career path which is great to see, it’s going to be great for the clubs in Queensland particularly for the Brisbane Lions in the years to come.”
More: Kevin Sheehan on Footy in Queensland
2015 Academy products Mabior Chol and Reuben William have caught the eye of Sheehan.
“It’s going to be super to see in the years to come quite a number of Sudanese boys across the AFL competition and it’s great to see them emerging through the programs there in Queensland.
“They’ve got a wonderful feel for the game these boys – brilliant natural speed,” he said.
“Reuben William in particular breaks the lines from half back and Mabior Chol is a big left-footer that can play in the ruck or key forward. He’s got a little bit of Buddy Franklin about him the way he weaves through the traffic and kicks on his left side.”
Sheehan praised Academy graduates and first year Lions, Harris Andrews and Liam Dawson who have impressed in their first season of AFL.
“For Harris to play 19 games his initial year, a boy that looked very lightly built as he came into it.
“'And didn’t he stand up?’” Sheehan remarked.
“He played some wonderful games, won a Rising Star Nomination later in the year.
“He fitted in so well, he’s so composed, his marking down in defence was fantastic – his intercept marks in particular,” he said.
“Liam Dawson is another that played 10 games this year in his first season.
“The pathway is pretty clear now and we’re going to have more Dawsons and more Andrews’ coming through to your Club in the next few years.”
