Hannan, Taranto, Florent realise AFL dream on draft night

2015 Jock Nelson Medallist, Mitch Hannan, will realise his dream of playing AFL football after being selected by Melbourne FC with pick number 46 in this year’s AFL National Draft.

The 189cm midfielder/forward joined the Snow Dogs from the Riddell District Football League in 2012, playing 10 games of Under 19 Premier in his first year at the club. He received his first taste of senior action in 2013 with four games before stamping his authority on the competition with a full season in 2014 and was named in the Snow Dogs’ best on eight occasions.

Hannan received his first taste of VFL action last year with four games for Footscray, but was available to lead his beloved Snow Dogs to William Buck Premier glory with a best-on-ground performance in his side’s eight-point victory over Old Trinity.

Going from strength-to-strength over the off-season, Leader journalist, Tim Michell, said the 22-year-old really established himself as a “genuine match winner at the Bulldogs this season”.

“He played predominantly as a mid-sized forward for Footscray and showcased his ability to perform under pressure with three final-quarter goals in the club’s semi-final win over Essendon,” Michell wrote.

Parkdale Vultures were another VAFA club celebrating on Friday evening after former midfielder, Tim Taranto, was taken by the GWS Giants with pick number two. He played two senior games for the Vultures last year while making his mark as a big game player for Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup. Taranto also attended St Kevin’s College.

Congrats to @tim_taranto7 on being taken no2 in the #AFLDraft 2016 to @GWSGIANTS!
Wishing u all the best!
Keep those #veesup @VAFA_HQ

— Parkdale Vultures (@Parky_Vultures) November 25, 2016

Congratulations to former @Parky_Vultures star Tim Taranto for being selected at Number 2 in last night’s #AFLDraft #ForTheLoveOfTheGame pic.twitter.com/Mc9gGY1daf

— VAFA (@VAFA_HQ) November 26, 2016

Oliver Florent, who was taken with pick number 11 by the Sydney Swans, played six games of Under 19 Premier with Beaumaris across 2014-15 before debuting in the seniors last year and kicking two goals in his one outing.

Brisbane’s newest recruit, Corey Lyons, played one match with De La Salle’ Holmesglen Under 19 side earlier this year on top of his 15 games for Sandringham Dragons.

It was a record night for the Associated Public Schools of Victoria (APS) with 17 players taken by AFL clubs, including three in the top five and five in the top 10. The chosen 17 were: Andrew McGrath (Brighton Grammar), Will Setterfield and Ed Phillips (Caulfield Grammar), Alex Witherden (Geelong College), Jack Scrimshaw, Josh Battle and Cameron Polson (Haileybury College), Ben Long, Jack Maibaum and Dylan Clarke (Melbourne Grammar), Taranto and Pat Kerr (St Kevin’s College), Will Brodie, Dion Johnstone and Jy Simpkin (Scotch College), Sean Darcy and Willie Rioli (Xavier College).

What an @afl Draft for @aps_sport with 3 selections in the top 5 & 5 in the top 10!! Congrats to all 17 #APS students & their families now drafted into the #AFL! …. and a great reward for all #APS schools & their development programs. Congratulations to the following schools/students: BGS: McGrath Caul: Setterfield, Phillips GC: Witherden HY: Scrimshaw, Battle, Polson MGS: Long, Maibaum, Clarke SKC: Taranto, Kerr SC: Brodie, Simpkin, Johnstone XC: Darcy & Willie Rioli (finished at Xavier in 2012) Over 20% of boys taken last night were out of the APS Schools!! #apssport #apsfootball #grassroots #homegrown #schoolsport

A photo posted by APS Sport (@aps_sport) on Nov 25, 2016 at 3:52am PST

Clarke’s selection was particularly exciting as he was the last player to come from the mentorship of Old Melburnians Under 19 and the VAFA’s first women’s co-coach, Jess Rottura.

Congratulations Dylan Clarke! The last of the #FordRotturaFactory https://t.co/W0kfvSOUNm

— OMFC Under 19s (@U19sOMFC) November 25, 2016

There were also nine players selected from the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria (AGSV); including, Florent (Beaumaris/Mentone Grammar), Callum Brown (Marcellin College), Daniel Venables (PEGS), Nick Larkey (Trinity Grammar), Josh Daicos (Camberwell Grammar), Mitchell Lewis (Assumption College), Matthew Signorello (Ivanhoe Grammar), Sam McLarty and Jordan Galluci (Yarra Valley Grammar).

Congratulations @pegs_sport @PEGSLearning from @sportagsv https://t.co/SlQABMgvqw

— AGSV (@sportagsv) November 25, 2016

Another @ivanhoegrammar student gets a chance to fulfil his AFL dreams (pick 62 to @Adelaide_FC). @sportagsv congratulates you Matthew https://t.co/jijwVmz3QV

— AGSV (@sportagsv) November 26, 2016