DEDERANG-Mount Beauty’s Ben McEvoy continued the production line of Murray Bushrangers to be drafted in the top 10 when he was snapped up St Kilda in Saturday’s AFL draft.
After speaking to 10 clubs in the lead-up, McEvoy became a Saint when coach Ross Lyon and the club’s recruiting staff used selection No.9 to lure the big-man to Moorabbin.
Ironically, Fraser Gehrig’s father, Graham, was one of the first people to congratulate him after his son was re-drafted by the club on the same day.
“I’m absolutely stoked,” McEvoy said.
“To join the Saints and stay in Melbourne is great.
“Anything can happen in the draft and it’s a relief things have worked out this well.
“I couldn’t be happier.”
McEvoy joined the ranks of Collingwood’s Ben Reid (eight, 2006), Fremantle’s Marcus Drum (10, 2005), Richmond’s Brett Deledio (one, 2004), Geelong’s Kane Tenace (seven, 2003), Fremantle’s Ryley Dunn (10, 2003), Kangaroo Hamish McIntosh (nine, 2002), St Kilda’s Justin Koschitzke (two, 2000), Richmond’s Kayne Pettifer (nine, 2000) and Collingwood’s Josh Fraser (one, 1999) to be drafted in the top 10 from the Bushrangers.
The Wodonga Catholic College student will move to Melbourne in the next few days to start training and is looking forward to playing under Lyon.
Lyon said the Saints went for the best available player.
“Coming into the draft we had Ben McEvoy, Jack Steven and Eljay Connors high on our priority list, so we’ve walked away, in simple terms, with the players we wanted to get,” Lyon said.
“Selecting McEvoy wasn’t about needs it was about the best player and they (St Kilda recruiters John Peake and John Beveridge) felt that at pick nine he was the best player.
“I don’t believe in wasting a first round pick on position.”
McEvoy said he had been told by several AFL clubs he would be picked up around number 10.
“I thought I would probably go at about that time judging what the clubs had said,” he said.
“They seem to know what is happening.
“It’ s been a long time coming I suppose with all the talk and I’m just glad it’s worked out and I can get on with the players.
“It will be a blast.”
McEvoy won the inaugural John Byrne Medal winner for the Murray Bushrangers best and fairest player this year after a stand-out season in the under-18 TAC Cup.
He captained Victoria Country at the under-18 championships and again earned All-Australian honours in what was an outstanding year.
Email a friend