Ashley Smith drastically improved his AFL draft chances with an impressive showing at last week’s draft camp in Canberra. 18063By Marc McGowan
BERWICK footballer Ashley Smith looks set to be picked early in next month’s AFL national draft after setting the draft camp alight last week.
Smith, 18, ran the 20m sprint in just 2.8 seconds to finish ahead of the 74 other prospective AFL footballers at the draft camp in Canberra.
Potential number-one draft pick Jack Watts was second quickest in 2.82 seconds.
Smith, who spent time in the midfield and at half-back for the Dandenong Stingrays this season, also placed seventh in the standing vertical jump to send his draft stocks soaring.
The stellar results are not surprising considering Smith won the 100m Victorian Secondary Schools’ Sports Association title in his age group in 2004 and came second nationally in the triple jump the same year.
The draft camp invitees were scrupulously analysed over the three days, being subjected to interviews, fitness assessments, psychomotor tests, an agility test, measured vertical jumps, a timed sprint, the beep test, a 3km time trial and a skills session.
Eleven AFL clubs have spoken to Smith, including his beloved Collingwood, and he was thrilled to be invited to the draft camp.
“At first I was excited, but then I was a bit surprised when I found out that no-one else from the Stingrays was nominated to go,” the Victoria Metro representative said.
“We finished second on the ladder and made the grand final, so it was a bit surprising that we only had one person voted in the top 75 players.”
Smith, an AIS/AFL Academy graduate, enjoyed the draft camp, but also found it to be a “nerve-racking” experience.
“You do get a bit nervous when you’re doing tests with 150 recruiters watching you,” he said.
“I was pretty happy with (my 20m sprint performance), but I expected to get a decent time.
“I thought I went pretty well in everything I tested and have given myself the best possible chance to go as high as I can in the draft.”
Dandenong coach Graeme Yeats has little doubt that Smith will be coveted highly at the AFL national draft, which will be held on 29 November.
“His great assets are his pace and his kicking ability, and they’re fairly important when it comes to AFL clubs looking at the strengths of individuals,” Yeats said.
“Physically, he’s ready to go, he had a couple of injuries during the year … but I think (AFL) clubs have seen enough for him to be an early draft pick.”
Smith would prefer to remain in Victoria, but would love just to receive the opportunity to play AFL football.
“Obviously it would be good to stay at home, but any club would do,” he said.
“It would be a privilege just to get drafted and I’d be happy to go wherever.”
