Every year there are scores of Canberra products hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Phil Davis and Josh Bruce by forcing their way onto an AFL list.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Now Canberra Demons coach Kade Klemke has run his eye over a quartet of emerging stars that could be poised to join them during the AFL draft this week.
The Sydney Swans are dead serious about the prospect of drafting Mitch Maguire and Angus Baker after the Demons duo began training with the club ahead of Friday's AFL rookie draft.
But another duo has attracted interest from AFL clubs desperately seeking talent to bolster their premiership bids.
MITCH MAGUIRE
Maguire almost hung up the phone when the person on the other end introduced themselves as Swans list manager Kinnear Beatson.
The NEAFL Rising Star winner thought it was a prank from one of his Demons teammates, but it was anything but for the humble Mirroul Magician.
"He does everything he can, he’s an ultra-professional. He has worked really hard to get himself into the position he is," Klemke said.
"It’s not something that has come to him naturally, the ability, he’s just been putting in the hard work and it’s great he’s got this opportunity.
"For him, if he gets drafted it’s fantastic, but even getting the opportunity to train is an experience he will definitely learn from.
"Fingers crossed they will take an opportunity on him, if not the Swans, even other clubs as well."
ANGUS BAKER
The 20-year-old defender is a prime example of why the Demons program is so important.
The former Sydney academy player has surged into draft contention after returning from an anterior cruciate ligament tear which snuffed out his hopes in his initial draft year.
The Demons offered a second chance saloon and he fired late during Canberra's run to the preliminary final after bouncing back from a slow start - understandable given he has just come back from a major knee injury.
"If you’re looking athletically-wise, I think he’s got what it takes to play in the AFL and has a bit of other interest from other AFL clubs," Klemke said.
"He was someone the Swans were going to keep a close eye on when he came our way. If it doesn’t happen this year, I think he is someone that is going to be still looked at over the years.
"He might get his opportunity now, fingers crossed for both of them. Who knows what happens from here or what the clubs are thinking?"
GUY RICHARDSON
Few Dickson College students will be as nervous as Guy Richardson during the year 12 exam period. While his classmates are worrying about passing tests, the versatile half-back flank will be thinking about the draft.
Richardson shone for both Canberra and the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the NEAFL this season having represented the Allies in the under 18 national championships.
The Giants have nominated Richardson as a potential academy selection and he has had conversations with Hawthorn and North Melbourne.
"He’s obviously doing pre-season with us, he went to the state combine and he tested really well. That puts his foot forward, so fingers crossed for him as well," Klemke said.
TOM HIGHMORE
The Marist College product burst onto the NEAFL scene three years ago as a teenager and the defender shapes as a dark horse in the race to an AFL list.
"Tom Highmore has had a little bit of interest," Klemke said.
"You just don’t know, some clubs could come left-field and pick someone up that no one knew was happening. Hopefully for us we can see at least one or two, it would be great for our program."
