Toast Welcome To Freo Jack Delean (pick 60 2023 AFL Draft)

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Heard him on SportFM this morning with Landsmeer & Clark, and he's got some fire in him. Wants to endear himself to the fans. Gets on well with Cooper Simpson already apparently.
 
I like listening to these lads before they do all the AFL media training and they turn into drones and start wheeling out all the cliches. 😂
 

AFL Draft: Fremantle pick Jack Delean reveals his strengths, inspirations as Dockers get their man​

They’re the three words Fremantle fans will spend the coming years muttering about Jack Delean. And they also nearly got him into strife with the Dockers during a pre-draft interview, writes ELIZA REILLY.

3 min read
November 22, 2023 - 3:12PM

AFL: The first night of the 2023 AFL draft came with high emotions and thrilling scenes.

“Oh my god.”
They’re the three words Fremantle fans will spend the coming years muttering about Jack Delean’s on-field exploits. And they also almost got him into strife with the Dockers during a pre-draft interview.
South Australia was facing Vic Country in the U18 National Championships at Ikon Park when Delean, one of the best small forwards in the draft pool, kicked the finest of his four goals on the day. On the eve of halftime, Delean pushed past three Vic Country defenders, swooped on a loose ball in the pocket and threw it on his boot.
The result was spectacular. And it was later a topic of conversation when Delean met with Fremantle recruiters at the AFL draft combine.
Fremantle fans will spend the coming years saying ‘Oh my god’ about Jack Delean’s on-field exploits. Picture: Matt Loxton

Fremantle fans will spend the coming years saying ‘Oh my god’ about Jack Delean’s on-field exploits. Picture: Matt Loxton

“When I spoke to them at the combine, they asked me when I kicked a goal against Vic Country, they weren’t sure whether it was me or my teammate who yelled out “Oh my god” as the ball was going through,” Delean told CODE Sports. “That was pretty funny, I had to clear that up with them.
“I couldn’t see where the ball went after I kicked it because the sun was in my eyes. It could’ve gone out of bounds on the full, 30 rows back, I had no idea.
“Then my teammate behind me got excited so I knew it had gone through so I was pretty happy after that.”
What Delean produced this year gave many confidence he was capable of playing AFL football. It was just a matter of where.
A consistent goalkicker, Delean kicked 54 goals this year across all levels, a haul that would’ve eclipsed Fremantle’s leading goalkicker Jye Amiss. What he lacks in consistent accumulation, he makes up for with impact.
Standing at 181cm, he averaged 2.9 a game in the SANFL under 18 competition. He won a premiership with South Adelaide. He even made his league debut for the Panthers and kicked two goals in each of the three games he played.
Delean caught the eye of Fremantle recruiters while playing in the Under 18s. Picture: Michael Klein

Delean caught the eye of Fremantle recruiters while playing in the Under 18s. Picture: Michael Klein

The Dockers came and met Delean’s family in South Australia in the lead-up to the draft. But it took until pick 60 for his draft dream to finally come to fruition.
“I had no idea (where I was going) to be honest because it’s so unpredictable,” he said. “I hadn’t heard much the past two weeks. I basically sat at home with some family and mates.
“I got a bit more nervous as the picks kept on going. Once we were getting closer to the 60s, I thought my chances were getting smaller and smaller.
“I spoke to them (Fremantle) a couple of times. I thought there might’ve been a bit of interest. As soon as I heard my name, I was super stoked and shocked. It’s a great club so I’m glad to be going there.”
Delean is also Fremantle’s first step towards replacing Lachie Schultz after the forward shocked the Dockers with a trade request to Collingwood during the off-season. But Delean believes he has the traits to help compensate for Schultz’s departure.
“My biggest strength is my ability to hit the scoreboard,” he said. “Whether I kick goals myself or create opportunities for others, I feel like that’s something I can bring to the table as well as impacting the game aerially or at ground level in the forward 50. I play with a lot of energy well and play better when my energy is higher.

“I wouldn’t say I try to model my game on anyone but I have similar traits to lots of players.
“I loved watching Eddie Betts growing up, his ability to hit the scoreboard. Also players like Cody Weightman and Toby Greene who are good aerially and at ground level for their size.”
Delean has already received messages from the likes of Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Luke Jackson welcoming him to Fremantle.
And if all goes to script, Delean will soon be running out with the Dockers at Optus Stadium, a ground where he’s already hit the scoreboard.
“We played Western Australia earlier this year. Unfortunately, we lost but I kicked a goal,” Delean said. “It’s such a nice oval.
“Playing on those sorts of grounds I think brings the best out in me. It’s been a lot of fun and I play my best football when I’m having fun.

“We got to watch Fremantle play Essendon afterwards and the atmosphere was incredible. It would be an awesome moment if I got to play a game there for Fremantle.
“Once you get drafted, your next goal is to play an AFL game. I’m focused on having a good pre-season, getting fit, getting strong and getting used to the AFL lifestyle.
“I’d love to make my debut at some stage and I’ll work very hard to make that happen.”
 
mightymouse75 said:
Finally some attitude and big heart ❤️❤️❤️
Get Ballas to put him up, or put up with for a year..
Click to expand...
Yep! I want Ballas to team up with Walters to turn this bloke into a hybrid of the two. I'd love a Ballas/Sonny combo. Don't think I've seen one as magic since then (and Medhurst/Farmer before that).
 
So how am I pronouncing Delean? Is it lean as in lean against a wall, or lee’n as in Leonora?
 

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freo84 said:
The more I watch of this kid the more i like him. We need an annoying, arrogant small forward that irritates people and backs it up with goals.

Really looking forward to seeing him play next season at some capacity.
Click to expand...

Agree. We are too vanilla across the board. I want someone who lets them know


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
serial_thrilla said:
Heard him on SportFM this morning with Landsmeer & Clark, and he's got some fire in him. Wants to endear himself to the fans. Gets on well with Cooper Simpson already apparently.
Click to expand...
Like it.

I am expecting the club to do whatever it can to encourage and enhance Simpson as a goal scorer. He may not be a specialist small forward but it could be where he spends time early in his career.
 
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