By LIAM TWOMEY
JUNIOR footballers aren’t the only ones who will be glued to their TV screens for this week’s National Draft.
The Werribee Football Club has five mature age players who are all genuine chances to be on AFL lists next year.
The group includes Ben Brown, Scott Sherlock, Jake Wilson, Darcy Fort and Scott Clouston.
New Werribee coach John Lamont, who replaced Scott West at the end of the season, said it was an exciting time for everyone involved with the club.
“We are always trying to win games of footy and ultimately taste finals success but a part of our brief as well is to assist in the talented player pathways,” Lamont said.
“We want to provide all those opportunities for guys who missed out through the TAC Cup and get drafted through the VFL.
“It is an exciting time for everyone at the club. We have come back into training this week and are looking forward to the draft.”
Since joining the Tigers almost 12 months ago, Brown has become a household name for recruiters and draft experts throughout the country.
He was invited to the National Draft Combine earlier in the year and again propelled his named further up the ranks with a host of impressive results.
In his 18 matches for the Tigers, Brown was named in the club’s best players on four occasions and kicked 29 goals.
His season drew praise from former coach, West during the year.
“He (Brown) just came in with a great attitude and wanted to learn to get better and to push himself and do everything, not just for his own benefit but for the club as well,” West said.
“Ben has been outstanding. He had a really good combine and I’m sure there will be plenty of interest in him.”
Brown could be joined by a host of Tigers on the big stage next year.
Scott Sherlock was named in Werribee’s best players on nine occasions throughout 2013 and also collected the Coach’s Award at the Best and Fairest.
In his first season at the club, Scott Clouston proved to be one of the most dangerous swingmen in the competition. The former Brisbane Lion was named in the best players on nine occasions and kicked 20 goals.
After spending a large part of the season in the Development League, Darcy Fort played four games for the Werribee seniors and was named the club’s best first year player.
Jake Wilson was a regular in the senior side throughout a brilliant year, which included a best-on-ground performance against eventual premier Box Hill in round 11.
All five Tigers will be looking to join an ever growing list of Werribee players to have been picked up as mature age recruits including Dale Morris, Michael Barlow and as recently as last year, Kyle Hartigan.
Lamont said he was looking to continue the trend in his time at the club.
“I coached TAC Cup footy for 10 years before seven years at North Melbourne and those young players coming through striving to get somewhere, I’m really keen to help them,” he said.
“If they have missed out there (TAC Cup) but have made a commitment to high performance and want an opportunity, we want to make them better footballers.”
