Scotch College

Two Scotch AFL draftees

Words: Robert Smith – Teacher-In-Charge, Football

Two Scotch boys were selected at high numbers in last year’s AFL national draft – James Strauss (Year 12, 2008) and Liam Jones, who is in Year 12 in 2009:

James Strauss was drafted to Melbourne as pick 19. This is a great reward for his dedication to football over a number of years. He has always had a willingness to do that extra something in order to improve his skill level or his fitness or strength. James played three seasons of 1st XVIII football for Scotch and was Vice-Captain of Football in 2008. He showed versatility by playing midfield, in defence and up forward. He has excellent endurance and is a superb kick of the ball with either foot. His ability to hit his targets by foot was a major factor in him being drafted at such a low pick.

Liam Jones joined Scotch in 2008 as a Year 11 student as part of our indigenous program and was drafted to the Western Bulldogs at pick 32. Liam’s family has an AFL history, as his father Bob Jones played a number of games with St Kilda in the late 1980s. Liam is a tall key position player with great hands and excellent kicking skills on both sides of his body. He is very quick over 20 metres. He was also a member of the under 16 Australian Institute of Sport/AFL Academy and toured South Africa in 2008.

This year Liam is completing his VCE while training and playing games with the Western Bulldogs’ VFL team, Williamstown when he has a bye in the APS. GS