Play all audios:
Craig O'Donoghue, MelbourneThe West Australian Former Fremantle forward Josh Mellington has quit AFL football after withdrawing his nomination for today’s rookie draft. Mellington asked
to be traded back to Victoria after three seasons as a Docker but couldn’t find a new home. The Dockers de-listed him before the national draft but said they were likely to re-select him as
a rookie because he still had one year left on his contract. But Mellington reached a settlement with the Dockers and then withdrew his draft nomination. Former top draft pick Richard
Tambling also withdrew his nomination after being delisted by Adelaide. The Crows would have selected him as a mature aged rookie. Fremantle chose 19-year-old midfielder Jacob Ballard from
Northern Blues, while Subiaco’s Michael Wood and South Fremantle’s Tom Vandeleur also became Dockers Wood is a medium forward who graduated from colts to play senior football in 2013 while
Vandeleur added more height to the Fremantle squad. He is a 193cm tall defender. West Coast further bolstered their midfield by selecting Oakleigh’s Will Maginness with their first pick.
Maginness is a strong clearances player and hard runner. Claremont tall defender Rowen Powell also went to West Coast. The Eagles then finished by re-selecting troubled forward Murray Newman
South Fremantle midfielder Blaine Johnson went to Carlton and Swan Districts small forward Charlie Cameron became a Crow. Several clubs went for recycled talent. Richmond chose former
Brisbane and Swan Districts forward Todd Banfield then selected Port Adelaide onballer Matt Thomas. Hawthorn gave Ben Ross a third chance after previously playing for Brisbane and North
Melbourne. Former Gold Coast youngster Maverick Weller went to St Kilda and North Melbourne chose another ex-Sun – Joel Tipett. Carlton sprung a shock by giving former Brisbane and
Collingwood ruckman Cameron Wood a third chance. Wood spent the season playing for West Adelaide. Former Sydney and Collingwood premiership ruckman Darren Jolly was overlooked. GWS were the
only club to participate in the pre-season draft. Former Sydney youngster Jed Lamb became a Giant. GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM THEWEST.COM.AU IN YOUR INBOX. Sign up for our emails