Jones, Evans, Ramsay, Gollant await the big time

Four Calder Cannons earned their way onto AFL lists following the conclusion of the 2019 NAB AFL National and Rookie drafts.

First to go was tall key forward Harry Jones, before two-gamer Francis Evans, best and fairest-winner Sam Ramsay and late bloomer Lachie Gollant joined him in the AFL ranks.

Harrison Jones | Pick 30 | Essendon

“Quite simply, we rated Harry as a first-round draft selection and when he got there overnight and missed out in the first round, we decided that we wanted to target him and get him to our club,” Essendon Football Club List Manager Adrian Dodoro told essendonfc.com.au.

“He’s tall and a phenomenal athlete. He’s going to take a bit of time obviously, but I think long term he and Joey (Daniher) in our forward half will be pretty dynamic.

“It is nice, he’s an Essendon Grammar boy (from the) Calder Cannons, he lives down at Gisborne. He’s a great young fella and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do in the future.”

Francis Evans | Pick 41 | Geelong

“I went to a game where Francis was playing at North Old Boys earlier in the year and soon after that he was recruited into the Calder Cannons before he got injured. If we hadn’t seen him play senior football early in the year it would’ve been hard to pick him,” Geelong Head of Recruiting Stephen Wells told afl.com.au.

Sam Ramsay | Pick 47 | Carlton

“Sam does a lot of things really well: he gets involved offensively, has good speed and gets his hands dirty,” General Manager of List Management and Strategy Stephen Silvagni told carltonfc.com.au.

“When it comes down to it, it was his form at the end of the year where he showed what he’s capable of. His performances as an inside midfielder were really encouraging. 

“He knows how to find the footy, he’s a competitor and he’s good in traffic. We think he’ll relish the chance to work with and learn off some of our experienced midfielders.”

Lachlan Gollant | Pick 48 | Adelaide

“Lachie’s probably a bit of a smoky, because not many people would know him, but that’s okay,” Adelaide National Recruiting Manager Hamish Ogilvie told afc.com.au.

“We knew him pretty well. He’s played on the wing for Calder. We just forecast if he played again for Calder as a 19-year-old next year, he could’ve been anything, so we’re happy to bite him off and take him now.”

The Calder Cannons Football Club would like to congratulate all four draftees and wish them all the best as they begin their AFL journeys.

Gentile, Ramsay share spoils

By Jarryd Barca

For the first time in the club’s history, the Calder Cannons have celebrated two joint Robert Hyde Medal winners as 2019’s best and fairest players.

Both Ned Gentile and Sam Ramsay rightfully couldn’t be separated following two stellar campaigns, polling in 14 and 12 games respectively.

Gentile led the count for much of the night, before a fast-finishing Ramsay ensured the honour was eventually shared with 99 votes.

Eighteen-year-old Gentile, who averaged more than 19 touches and nearly four tackles and inside 50s per game, also took home the club’s Most Courageous award.

“It’s an extremely fair result that they shared the honours together,” football operations and admin coordinator Matthew Burton said.

“The word I use to describe Ned’s year is consistent.

“His ability to continually perform week in week out both on and off the field is a true credit to the hard work he put in. He’s definitely a deserving winner.”

Ramsay took his game to a new level in the later stages of the season, averaging a mammoth 31.4 disposals in his final eight matches.

“Sam faced some adversity – missing Vic Metro selection and missing games due to concussion – (he) probably didn’t have the front half to the year he would’ve liked, but he really knuckled down in the second half of the season and had an outstanding back end to the year,” Burton said.

Also finishing on the podium was gun midfielder Daniel Mott after another impressive NAB League season, complimenting his 2018 where he finished runner-up to Mitch Podhajski.

“For Daniel to back up a really solid 17-year-old year where he finished second and step into the role of being our premier midfielder – and missed some games through Vic Metro – to be able to finish in the top three again is a credit to the body of work he has put in over two years with us,” Burton said.

“We’re hoping he is able to reap the ultimate reward for it, like all our players.”

Mott averaged 26 disposals, 12 contested possessions and six clearances per outing in 2019. Captain Brodie Newman (58 votes) and Harrison Minton-Connell (56) rounded out the top five.

Among the other award winners were Newman (coaches award), Ben Overman (Neil Wood Most Improved) and Ben Bozinovski (Phil Dunk Best on Track).

“All award winners on the night were all thoroughly deserving. I’d like to congratulate them all and everyone from players to staff and parents for creating a terrific environment in season 2019,” Burton said.

“It was also great to acknowledge Ann steel as our club person of the year for all the amazing selfless and hard work she puts in to not only the girls program but the boys program. She does a lot of work that isn’t seen or heard but we’ve thoroughly appreciated having her around in 2019.

“Obviously we’re going through our exit review period at the moment and we wish our 18 and 19 year olds the very best in the next phase of their footballing pathway. Hopefully they’ve enjoyed their time at the Cannons as much as we’ve enjoyed having them here,” he added.

Both Mott and Harry Jones are this week undertaking a trial under the watchful eye of recruiters at the NAB AFL Draft Combine which runs until Friday.

On Saturday the club will have a further seven Cannons – Curtis Brown, Brodie Newman, Sam Ramsay, Jeremy O’Sullivan, Nathan Stewart, Lachlan Gollant and Francis Evans – showcase their mental and physical abilities at the State Combine.

“Hopefully the boys headed to the combines are able to put their best foot forward and enjoy the experience,” Burton said.