|
GEELONG DRAFTS FOUR NEW CATS;
RECORDS MODEST PROFIT
Ben Jensen 25 November 2006
By Ben Jensen DESPITE last season's failure, the Cats
hierarchy only saw fit to draft just four players, including father-son
selection Tom Hawkins, in today's NAB National Draft. First picked with
selection number 7 overall was Joel Selwood, brother of West Coast premiership
player Adam and Brisbane Lion Troy. Selwood is a midfielder who missed
most of season 2006 but won All Australian honours in 2005.
Next pick for the Cats was Nathan Djerrkura,
originally from Wanderers FC in the Northern Territory. Djerrkura has
been attending Scotch College in Melbourne on a scholarship. At 176cm
Djerrkura is cut from a similiar cloth as Paul Chapman and Matthew Stokes.
Last but not least is Simon Hogan from the Geelong Falcons.
At 181cm tall, he is considerably lighter than Joel Selwood and will
take some time before being ready for AFL selection.
Selwood's football career has already taken him to Ireland
in last year's under 17 International Rules series, earning the Ron
Barassi medal as best Australian player of the series. If he can get
over his injuries he should make his debut early in season 2007.
|
Pick
|
Players Name
|
Club from
|
DOB
|
Hgt
|
Wgt
|
Comments
|
Position
|
|
7
|
Joel Selwood
|
BENDIGO PIONEERS
|
26/05/1988
|
182.4
|
80.2
|
Strong
at the ball and skillful midfielder/defender who won All-Australian
honours in 2005. Barassi Medallist versus Ireland last year at U17
level. Missed most of 2006 recovering from injury, playing only
3 games. Impressive leader at youth level. AIS/AFL Academy Graduate.
From Sandhurst F.C. |
Medium Midfielder
|
|
25
|
Nathan Djerrkura
|
WANDERERS
|
19/09/1988
|
176.3
|
77.1
|
Dashing
midfielder or small forward with good evasive skills and great pace.
Indigenous player from Gove in the Northern Territory attending
Scotch College in Melbourne. Won All-Australian U18 honours this
year. Averaged 22 possessions per match with the Northern Territory
Thunder. Had an outstanding NAB AFL Draft Camp with results including
20m (2.90sec-Top 2%), Agility (8.18-Top 11%) Beep Test (14.3-Top
15%). From Wanderers F.C. |
Small Midfielder
|
|
41
|
Tom Hawkins
|
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS
|
27/07/1988
|
197
|
95
|
Starred
in NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, winning Larke Medal; best and
First in the Div 1 championships. Strong marking key forward, originally
from Finley, NSW, now at Melbourne Grammar. |
Tall Forward
|
|
57
|
Simon Hogan
|
GEELONG FALCONS
|
16/08/1988
|
181.4
|
67.8
|
Midfielder
with good feel for the game, making good decisions with the ball
and smart around goals. Tough, durable, he is a one touch player
and strong overhead for his size. A standout performer at the NAB
AFL Draft Camp with results including: 20m Sprint (2.91sec-Top 3%),
Beep Test (15.4-Top 4%), Repeat Sprint Time (24.67sec-Ranked No
1) and 3km (9.55sec-Top 2%) highlighting his performances. From
Warrnambool F.C. |
Medium Midfielder
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEANWHILE the Cats announced their seventh
profit in a row, albeit less than in previous seasons even though membership
was at an all time high of 32,290. The following press release was issued:
The Geelong Football Club has recorded its seventh
consecutive year of profit, reporting a net profit of $341,000 in
2006.
The club’s turnover of $26.7 million has grown
from $14.6 million in 1998, and net assets have grown from $3.5 million
to $6.1 million in the same timeframe. The club has also reduced the
borrowings on the Skilled Stadium redevelopment from $3.6 million
to $2.375 million.
“We are proud of the fact that we have again
been able to register a net profit,” CEO Brian Cook said.
“This marks seven consecutive years that we have
achieved a profit. This year’s profit is down on last year’s
net profit of $737,000, as we committed an extra $1 million to football.
“Our membership levels were at record levels
with 32,290 members and we saw sold out reserved seating at Skilled
Stadium for most of our eight matches here.
“We were down in a couple of revenue areas, such
as Club Cats and special events. We are currently refurbishing Club
Cats and we are looking to increase the revenue in events next year.
“We are in the process of completing the budget
for 2007 and expect our profit levels next year to be around $800,000.”
|
