The official list of who’s going where in the 2005 AFL pre-season draft
is out. The big news is that ex-Carlton player Scott Camporeale is now
a bomber. Fans will have to get used to the long-time blue wearing
black and red from, well, the press conferences following the
announcement.

For his troubles, Camporeale is expected to collect between $250,000 to
$300,000 a year over the two years of his contract with the Dons.

Despite Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse baiting Essendon with
suggestions he would pick Camporeale, Collingwood went for youth,
grabbing 18-year-old midfielder Sam Iles. (No surprises there, though
Eddie and co would never admit they’re rebuilding after two disastrous
seasons.)

Former Brisbane ruckman Dylan McLaren was Carlton’s first pick. As
expected, Hawthorn picked up St Kilda and Port reject Brent Guerra, who
brings some muscle to the club’s young and rather spindly looking list.

While the draft marks a new beginning for older players and the
beginnings of something big (hopefully) for the youngsters, there is
one hard luck story. It’s not news that former Brownlow medallist Shane
Woewodin was desperate to keep his career alive, even admitting in
yesterday’s Herald Sun that he’d keep playing for the love of the game.

Well, it seems passion for your work isn’t enough to keep you on an AFL
list. Despite training with the Kangaroos, Woewodin has been not been
picked up in what is almost surely the end of his career at League
level.

But he’s not alone. Former Richmond and Essendon player Ty Zantuck
looks to have played his last game, and the rare talent of Damian
Cupido will not be seen at AFL level again unless he can resurrect his
career elsewhere.