PAUL Henriksen’s eyes will be glued to the television screen in his Terang home on Tuesday night.
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The Vic Country coach expects up to eight of his players to be among the top 20 picks at the AFL draft.
Henriksen used his teaching background to mould Vic Country into a title-winning side in 2015.
Some players entered the tournament with big raps, others thrust their names in front of recruiters as the side went through the AFL under 18 national championships undefeated.
Henriksen’s involvement with the Vic Country program extends beyond his 2015 debut as under 18 senior coach.
His connection with this year’s draft crop is strong courtesy of his time as under 16 mentor.
“Tuesday night will be quite emotional for me because I have had them at under 16 and 18 level,” Henriksen said.
“They are like my boys and I’ll be watching a high percentage of them getting drafted. The majority will get the rewards they deserve and are looking for.”
Vic Country is expected to feature strongly in a draft pool considered by some experts to be shallow.
Henriksen will watch the Adelaide-based draft unfold, just as nervous for those considered a certainty to be picked up as he will be for those on the fringe.
Vic Country will lay claim to the top-two selections this year.
Key position prospects Jacob Weitering (Mount Eliza) and Josh Schache (Seymour) are expected to headline the all-conquering side’s draftees.
Weitering will land at Carlton as its fourth number one pick in 11 years.
He is being touted as a ready-made defender who will slot into the Blues’ back six in round one.
Brisbane-bound Schache will arrive at his new football home carrying the expectations of a success-hungry supporter base eager to watch a forward fill the void of three-time premiership player Jonathan Brown.
Henriksen has worked with Weitering and Schache for three years.
He is in awe of their aerobic capacities. Both players, who stand at 195 and 199 centimetres respectively, can run a 15 beep test, placing them among the elite midfielders.
“Jacob wasn’t outstanding at under 16 level but at under 17 and under 18 levels he’s grown physically and mentally,” Henriksen said.
“His reading of the ball in flight is great to watch. He’s similar to Harry Taylor, about the same height.”
Weitering doesn’t drink alcohol and recently revealed his mother had labelled him “the old man in the family”.
Henriksen said the Dandenong Stingray was a strong leader.
“He is very committed to what he wants to do. He’s not a player who follows what everyone else is doing,” he said.
“He’s very level-headed, very family orientated and takes everything in his stride.
“As a year 12 student he’s just finished global politics as a VCE subject.”
As Weitering received plaudits for his work in defence, Schache was gaining attention for his exploits in the forward half.
Henriksen expects the Murray Bushrangers-listed teenager to thrive in an AFL environment.
“He has become a strong-marking player and his kicking is outstanding,” he said.
“He’s a left-foot kick and kicked 24 goals at the national carnival this year.
“It’s rare for him to miss a set shot from most angles.”
High-energy Winchelsea-based midfielder Darcy Parish is another in top-five calculations.
Bell Park onballer Rhys Mathieson, strong-bodied Torquay utility Charlie Curnow, Horsham Saints rebounding defender Darcy Tucker and Langwarrin backman Kieran Collins are touted as top-20 picks.
Narre Warren tall Gach Nyuon – the player who equaled West Coast ruckman Nic Natanui’s vertical leap at the draft combine – is another Vic Country draft contender.
Father-son prospects Josh Dunkley (Sydney) and Bailey Rice (St Kilda) will follow family traditions.
“An exciting process after the carnival was talking to a number of AFL clubs and discussing where some players might end up,” Henriksen said.
“I’ve met with six clubs. Brisbane was down this week, so there are still clubs making decisions.
“They were prepared to drive to Terang and grill me for three hours.”
Henriksen is a keen observer of each year’s draft prospects. He’s coached some of the competition’s biggest names.
Each of the 18 AFL lists feature a player who has spent time learning from the Terang College teacher, among them Crow-turned-Cat Patrick Dangerfield, Essendon match-winner Dyson Heppell, Sydney jet Luke Parker and Gold Coast forward Tom Lynch.
Henriksen follows their careers closely and has fond memories of their time in the under 18 competition.
“Every player has a story,” he said.
“Dustin Martin in 2009 came out of nowhere and he is now rated in the top echelon of players.”
Henriksen will take charge of the Vic Country under 18 team again next year.
The squad could feature south-west talent hoping to follow the likes of Terang Mortlake’s Lewis Taylor (Brisbane) and Cobden’s Zach Merrett (Essendon).
“Vic Country players have a lot of development left in them,” Henriksen said.
“They have a lot more scope and are more resilient because of travel and late nights.”
Tuesday night will be quite emotional for me because I have had them at under 16 and 18 level
- Paul Henriksen