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Is it strange that someone that has a limited understanding of the nuances of AFL football should find themselves transfixed to the coverage of the AFL drafts?

Perhaps there is personal recognition of youth lost when one witnesses the hopes and promise of young men about to embark on their ‘journey’ into the AFL machine.

Who will be the star? Who will play 300 games? Will Tom Boyd deliver on his obvious promise and ability and also the pressure of being the # 1 pick for GWS?

Who will be that late pick, that diamond in the rough a la Dane Swann taken at pick 58 in the 2001 ‘Super Draft’ or Brian Lake (then Harris) at pick 71 in the same year.

And yes, who will be the dud, the ‘Spud’, the player that does not fulfil the promise identified in him by the various scouts. The player who club revisionists, with the benefit of hindsight, will lament was taken too high or even taken at all.

Richmond supporters may lament what, or who, was lost in the 2004 draft but appreciate the gains that have been made in more recent times. Sometimes you have to lose to win.

But for now, it is a time for the young recruits to seize the day. To embrace an opportunity that only the chosen few will be lucky enough to experience. An opportunity not afforded to thousands of young footballers across the land who aspire to, but sadly won’t reach the zenith of running through a club’s banner onto the hallowed turf of the footballer’s cathedral of the MCG.

OPSM has the vision to recognise and support the young talent through their work at the AFL Draft Combine.

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Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post but opinions are my own.