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Giants' hard work pays

11/24/2011 07:39:36 PM

Keeping the likes of Tony Lockett and Jason Dunstall quiet was a doddle compared to what Stephen Silvagni's been through over the past 12 months.

But the GWS Giants' list manager and former champion Carlton defender is satisfied that all the hard work that's gone in to assemble the club's inaugural list had paid off.

The Giants skimmed the cream off the top of this year's talent pool with 11 of the top 14 picks at Thursday night's AFL national draft and 14 picks overall.

Their selections ranged from Eastern Rangers forward Jonathan Patton at No.1 to former Melbourne skipper James McDonald at selection 87.

In between there were some who are ready to go, a couple of project players and a broad mix of types, ages, skill-sets and nationalities including one Irishman, ex-Blue Setanta O'hAilpin.

The only top-10 players not to go to GWS were the draft's top-rated young ruckman, Billy Longer who's joined the Lions and Sturt midfielder Chad Wingard, claimed by Port Adelaide.

Silvagni said he would have loved to have brought both of those youngsters on board at GWS, but you can't have everything.

"We mulled over Longer and Wingard, but you've got to give something up to actually get those players," Silvagni said.

"We're happy with the crop we've got,"

"We'd like two of everything, but we're not going to get everyone we want in one draft."

"It's been exciting to have so many young people's lives in your hands in terms of where they're going."

"From that point of view it's a privilege and I hope at the end of their journey they come out great players but better people."

Silvagni said he was excited by one of his more speculative picks, former basketballer Tom Downie at No.56 who will be given time to mature under the guidance of Dean Brogan.

"He's a 203, 204cm ruckman from the Ballarat Rebels, hasn't played a lot of footy but we see some upside in him," said Silvagni.

"Obviously he's a bit of a project player like most ruckmen are, they tend to take anywhere between three and five years to mature."

"We understand that but we're really delighted to get a ruckman at that height."

Silvagni said O'hAilpin's versatility and hard body were assets too good to overlook.

"He's played some pretty good games over the course of his career and he's still in his prime so we're rapt to be able to give him an opportunity," said Silvagni.

The Giants passed on their final five selections but they're only likely to use one - on an experienced player - at next month's pre-season draft.

 

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