Mannagh and Clohesy drafted, Morris picked too
Shaun Mannagh and Sam Clohesy have realised their AFL dreams after being selected by Geelong and Gold Coast in the 2023 AFL National Draft and Rookie Draft respectively.
Logan Morris who trained with the club in 2023 and played in the Round 8 fixture against Footscray is also AFL-bound, with Brisbane snaring the forward with their first pick of the draft.
Another standout year from Mannagh and a brilliant end to the season by Clohesy pushed the Werribee pair into draft calculations after the club’s run to the VFL grand final.
Meanwhile, Morris was considered a late first round selection after starring for the Western Jets and Vic Metro this year.
The selection of Mannagh with pick 36, was one of the draft surprises with the 26-year-old plying his trade in the VFL for seven years, spending three seasons at Richmond and the last four at Werribee.
His final outing for Werribee was one of the best ever seen in a VFL grand final as he claimed the Norm Goss Medal with six goals from 28 disposals.
The Cats haven’t shied away from picking mature age recruits in the past and have had plenty of success doing so with a list of names including Tom Stewart, Tom Atkins and James Podsiadly.
Clohesy, who won this year’s Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the VFL’s most promising player, raised his draft stock after producing three outstanding finals performances.
The 20-year-old previously spent time in the Gold Coast Academy when living there as a teenager before the Suns selected him with the fourth pick in Wednesday’s Rookie Draft.
He joins his younger brother Ted in the AFL, who is a new teammate of Mannagh at the Cats.
Clohesy made 26 appearances in his two seasons at Werribee while Mannagh tallied 47 games across the past three campaigns.
Morris, a Werribee local and Werribee Districts junior was selected at pick 31 by Brisbane. The 192cm forward is considered to have some of the best hands in this year’s draft class.
Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said the club was delighted for all three players.
“After nominating for eight drafts were absolutely thrilled to see Shaun get his shot on an AFL-list," Micallef said.
"Geelong had shown some interest during the year and not just after his grand final performance, so it was great to see them select him and we all hope this is the start of really successful AFL career.
“Sam was in and out of the side in his first year, but had an opportunity to make his mark this season which he did.
"With plenty of experience around him in the backline he flourished and played with a lot of freedom late in the year. He’s a laid-back kid but there’s no doubt he’ll make the most of his chance with the Suns.
“Logan is a Werribee local and it was a pleasure to have him involved in our program and to give him an opportunity to pull on the Werribee jumper this year.
"Brisbane have picked up a really promising player and we look forward to following his journey closely.”
TOP: Shaun Mannagh and Sam Clohesy in action.
ABOVE: Logan Morris ahead of his VFL debut.
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