By LIAM TWOMEY
WERRIBEE continued its golden draft run after Ben Ross was picked up by Hawthorn last week.
Ross was selected at pick number 57 in Wednesday’s rookie draft.
“We are absolutely thrilled for Ben,” Werribee football operations manager Stuart Balloch said.
“He has stuck at it and worked incredibly hard at VFL level. He won the Liston Trophy last year. There wasn’t an opportunity forthcoming then and again, credit to him he could have walked away but he wants to play footy at the highest level he possibly can.
“He stuck at it and the opportunity came his way.”
Ross played in 21 matches for the Tigers in 2013 and was named in the club’s best players on eight occasions.
Speaking about his club’s rookie draft selections, Hawthorn recruiting manager Graham Wright said on the Hawks’ website, they had their eye on Ross for some time after two impressive seasons in the VFL.
“He played more half back and wing and we really liked the way he developed there as well and we know he can play a number of roles,” Wright said.
“He can play wing, half forward and on ball but we know he can go to half back as well. He’s a good user of the ball, has good endurance, good speed so he brings a lot to the table, it’s just a matter of where the coaches want to slot him in.”
Ross joins 2013 Werribee team-mates Ben Brown and Luke McDonald in the game’s elite after they were both taken in the national draft.
“That is what we are about, giving guys an opportunity at the highest level we possibly can,” Balloch said.
“As a club we will put the structure in place to help them achieve that but they also need to be self-driven young men. Hats off to them and from the club’s point of view we are thrilled to have an influence on those draftees.”
