Sandgropers open under-18 championships with win
Darcy Fogarty, a potential No.1 draft pick, booted two goals but it was a rival forward with a match-winning point who stole the limelight on the opening day of the national under-18 championships.
Jon Pierik is a sports writer with The Age, focusing primarily on AFL football, cricket and basketball. He has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.
Darcy Fogarty, a potential No.1 draft pick, booted two goals but it was a rival forward with a match-winning point who stole the limelight on the opening day of the national under-18 championships.
Callum Brown, the son of a former club champion, will attract plenty of headlines when he debuts for Collingwood on Monday but a forgotten defender will also be a talking point.
Western Bulldogs full-back Marcus Adams will miss up to two months because of a foot injury.
While Carlton remains intent on predominantly rebuilding through the national draft, there is one veteran hoping to rebuild his own career on Sunday.
At a time when clubs are loath to field a second specialist ruckman, with the Western Bulldogs even sending midfielders into contests around the ground, the Blues can boast what Chris Judd says is almost a "two-in-one" player.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson insists the Hawks have the platform to build for what he hopes will be their next premiership era and has all but ruled out trading premiership stars Jack Gunston and Paul Puopolo.
While the top-end talent of this year's national draft is expected to be strong, depth remains an issue.
AFL clubs may have to be more cautious about ceding a future first-round pick this year ahead of what shapes as a "super draft" in 2018.
Changes to the AFL combine have meant the three-kilometre time trial and the beep test have been dumped in a bid to ensure testing represents more closely what's required at club level.
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