Four VAFA players taken in 2015 AFL Draft

Posted on - Latest News, Featured, Old Mentonians, Old Scotch, Parkdale Vultures, University Blacks

The VAFA would like to congratulate four current and former players who were picked up in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft last night in Adelaide.

Harley Balic (Parkdale Vultures), Mitch Brown (Old Mentonians), Sam Collins (University Blacks) and Rupert Wills (Old Scotch) all found their way to an AFL list for the 2016 season.

Taken at pick 38 by the Fremantle Dockers, Balic played three games for the Vultures’ U19 Section 2 side in 2013, before plying his craft with the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup.

16 picks later, at number 54, former Old Mentonians utility Mitch Brown was snapped up by Essendon after a promising year for Sandringham  in the VFL. Having been picked up by Geelong in 2009, Brown had a raft of injuries leading to his delisting five years later after 15 senior appearances. However, determined to make it at AFL level, Brown showcased his talent to the AFL fraternity as a top-up player for the Bombers during this year’s NAB Challenge, ultimately leading to a well-deserved AFL contract.

With three years’ experience at the Box Hill Hawks, Fremantle’s number 55 draft pick, Sam Collins, played two matches for the University Blacks this season, kicking three goals in that time.

Debuting for Old Scotch Reserves in 2013, number 63 pick and current Cardinal, Rupert Wills, went on to play 19 senior matches and 16 Reserves matches, as well as six games for Collingwood’s VFL side this season. The 22-year-old’s VFL form was so strong, Collingwood decided to pick him up and make it official.