Draft pick Currie to pressure Daw - ABC Online

Posted November 23, 2012 15:23:48

While North Melbourne's athletic Sudanese-born ruckman Majak Daw is finally on the AFL club's senior list, the Kangaroos have given him some extra competition.

Concerned the recent departure of Hamish McIntosh to Geelong left them thin in the ruck, North punted on Daniel Currie - an athletic big man who spent five years on Sydney's list without playing an AFL game before joining SANFL club North Adelaide last year - at Thursday night's national draft.

Bucking the trend of chasing new talent, Currie was one of three players drafted by the Kangaroos who have spent time at other clubs, along with Ben Jacobs (Port Adelaide) and Taylor Hine (Gold Coast).

Recruiting manager Bryce Lewis said 200cm 23-year-old Currie, taken at pick 56, would battle Daw, upgraded from the rookie list on Thursday night, and untried 20-year-old Ben Mabon to be the main support act to No.1 ruckman Todd Goldstein.

"We just wanted to get another ruckman in to ensure that we've solidified that position," Lewis said.

He said North had liked Victorian Jacobs, a 26-game 20-year-old defender with the Power, since before Port drafted him two years ago and plan to slot him into their midfield.

Small defender Hine, 20, who played nine games in two years with the Suns, gained North's attention with his stopping job on Leigh Adams in round 12, among other lock-down roles.

Hawthorn re-drafted their 2008 premiership player Michael Osborne.

But other clubs took mature-aged recruits.

Premiers Sydney grabbed Dean Towers, a 22-year-old midfielder from VFL club North Ballarat, with their first pick, No.22.

"He's a bit of a late developer and we're really pleased with what he offers us and offers us immediately," Swans player personnel manager Kinnear Beatson said.

Melbourne, who had already stocked up on recycled players through trades and free agency, added Matt Jones, a 25-year-old midfielder from VFL club Box Hill and Dean Terlich, a 22-year-old backman from SANFL club Norwood.

AAP

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