Each player has a story. Some have been earmarked as an exceptional talent from a young age others may have been late bloomers. 

Most have suffered a number of setbacks and those that make it will turn this into a positive.  Here are four of our local potential draftees, each with their own journey. 

Wodonga’s Mitch King was given the chance in 2013 to play in the Under 16 national carnival with Victorian Country. Opportunities looked to be opening up with the Murray Bushrangers, however an ACL rupture in 2014 kept Mitch from playing football for over 12 months. Mitch determinedly set about his rehabilitation and in many ways his comeback from this hurdle has been his making. Mitch sat down with the Bushies early in the season to plot his return to give him the best chance to be 100 percent by season’s end. He was invited to the national combine testing in October. 

Wodonga Raiders’ Sam Murray is developing as one of the draft’s most intriguing stories. Sam has had the opportunity to trial for development squads such as the GWS Giants Academy and Murray Bushrangers unsuccessfully.  However, Sam has continued to present himself at the highest level available despite the setbacks. In many ways Sam holds the dream alive that you can still find your way into the big time without the normal pathways. This year Sam was runner up in the Morris Medal. If drafted, there is little doubt he will be coming from a long way back compared to others but this adds to the intrigue and in some ways gives Sam an advantage as he has had to carve his own way.

Nick Coughlan has experienced many ups and downs over the last three years. Initially taken into the AFL Academy in 2012, Nick experienced a navicular stress fracture and then a long-term ankle injury. This year he was moved to play a key defensive role and was awarded with selection in the TAC Cup team of the year. Nick is another player who has had to find different avenues to put him in the best position to achieve his goal.

Lachlan Tiziani moved from Broken Hill a few years ago and joined the Albury Tigers.  Although he has been relatively injury free, Lachlan’s challenges have been more logistical. A regular Murray Bushrangers player and member of the GWS Giants Academy, Lachlan has had to travel all over Victoria with TAC cup commitments, as well playing several games for the Giants reserve team in various country locations. He also represented NSW at the Under 18 National championships. All this while completing year 12.

All of these boys know the uncertainty surrounding the draft.They’re aware that if they are fortunate to be called out, this is just another phase of the journey. This is where the hard work begins, the next challenge is to get a game and make a career of it.