PLAYERS and officials from the Western Jets were disappointed last week when none of the team’s second-year players were offered positions on Australian Football League primary or rookie lists.
Bachar Houli successfully made the move from the TAC Cup to the big leagues with Essendon after the November national draft, but it was to be the only joy for the Jets in 2006.
Many Jets players were considered a solid chance to be given an opportunity in the rookie draft, held last Tuesday, but none of the 62 youngsters snapped up played at Burbank Oval this season.
It was a lean draft for all players from across the West and northern suburbs, with only Calder’s Matthew O’Dwyer selected from the Cannons, Northern Knights and Jets combined.
While the opportunity to train and potentially play at the highest level may have passed, many Western Jets players will join Victorian Football League clubs for season 2007.
Before the draft period, seven players had already signed up with Williamstown – Nick Georgiadis, Joe Hedditch, Tim Jenkins, Richard Knight, Cameron Lockwood, Nathan Lyons and Matthew Smith.
Another two – Ben Peters and Robert Trajkovski – will trial with Coburg.
