By LIAM TWOMEY
WERRIBEE lived up to its reputation of giving mature age recruits a chance to reach the AFL system with Ben Brown the latest Tiger to make the jump.
Brown was drafted by North Melbourne at pick 47 in the third round of selections.
After being recruited to Werribee for the 2013 season, Brown proved a winner, playing in 18 matches for the Tigers as well as being named in the club’s best players on four occasions.
His selection by the Kangaroos will mean the forward remains at Werribee when he isn’t playing for the senior side.
He wasn’t the only Tiger to end up at the Kangaroos with Luke McDonald taken as a father/son selection at pick eight.
After playing his TAC Cup football for the Oakleigh Chargers, McDonald left the juniors behind to start his senior career with Werribee.
Werribee coach John Lamont said it was a great result for the club.
“We were extremely confident Ben would get drafted,” he said.
“I knew he was rated by North Melbourne recruiting staff, without a doubt.
“Luke McDonald is obviously a little bit of a different one (being a father/son selection).
“Jarred Moore and myself worked closely with him and once it all simplified and he was able to pretty much focus on his Werribee stuff he really came into his own.
“He really blossomed in the last part of the season. Across the three finals, he was probably our best player. He did a great job.”
The good news didn’t stop there for the Tigers with last year’s rookie selection Kyle Hartigan upgraded to the Crows’ senior list with pick 76.
“It was great for Kyle Hartigan as well,” Lamont said.
“Twelve months ago he got the rookie list spot with Adelaide and he was re-drafted … and he will get a two-year deal now.
“A lot of kids will give it a go but then come up with an excuse like, I’m not enjoying my footy or they go and play for money somewhere. Kyle really hung in there and kept at it and it was terrific to see.”
For the players from Werribee who missed out on selection in the AFL national draft, they now turn their attention to the rookie draft, which will take place on Wednesday 27 November.
The Tigers have a host of players knocking on the door of selection including Scott Sherlock, Jake Wilson, Darcy Fort and Scott Clouston.
