Tigers grab Deledio, Tambling
10:46:23 AM Sat 20 November, 2004
Paul Gough
Sportal
Richmond has not only snared Brett Deledio but also exciting Northern Territory midfielder Richard Tambling in Saturday's national AFL draft.
As expected Deledio, a 17-year-old midfielder from Kyabram in country Victoria, was the prized number one selection in this year's draft.
But there was a surprise with pick two when Hawthorn decided not to go for Tambling, a goalkicking midfielder regarded as arguably the most exciting player in the draft.
Instead the Hawks chose the much taller Jarryd Roughead, a 193cm key position player from Gippsland Power, at pick two.
The Bulldogs then chose South Australian under 18 captain Ryan Griffen as expected at pick three leaving the Tigers free to claim Tambling with their second selection at pick four.
The next two selections went as expected with the Hawks grabbing another tall at pick five in Perth key forward Lance Franklin while Queensland giant Tom Williams, who only started playing the game a year ago after coming from a rugby league family, was taken by the Bulldogs at pick six.
With the seventh selection, the Hawks took left-footed midfielder Jordan Lewis, tipped to be drafted much later in the first round.
Adelaide then pounced to take Geelong Falcons ruckman John Meesen, with its first selection at pick eight. This meant that West Adelaide ruckman Cameron Wood dropped to pick 18 and the Brisbane Lions, as clubs then loaded up on midfielders.
The first retread to be selected was former Port Adelaide ruckman Cain Ackland, who was taken by St Kilda with pick no.33. The Saints see Ackland as a replacement for the recently departed Trent Knobel, who is expected to find a home in December's National Pre-Season Draft.
Ackland will still only be 23 at the start of next season and has played 12 matches with Port Adelaide since making his debut in 2001 as he struggled for a regular game behind Dean Brogan and Brendan Lade.
Fabian Deluca, the 17 year old 203 centimetre younger brother of Carltons Adrian deluca, who had been expected to be taken in the first round, was not picked up until pick no.35, in a major coup for reigning premier Port Adelaide.
Former Geelong rover David Spriggs went to Sydney as expected with pick 47, while two selections later, former Magpie midfielder Mark McGough was drafted by St Kilda.
Former Hawk defender Mark Graham went to Richmond with pick no.65