AINSLIE on-baller Aaron Vandenberg’s determination to give the AFL his best shot paid off when Melbourne selected the NEAFL star with Pick No.2 in today’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
The 22-year-old took the competition by storm in 2014, winning his second consecutive club best-and-fairest award and finishing runner-up in the NEAFL MVP award.
Vandenberg twice represented the NEAFL against Tasmania and the WAFL this year and once picked up 56 possessions against Eastlake during the season.
Vandenberg knew he “wasn’t around the mark” during his teenage years and said his mature-age rookie selection was the product of having great support around him.
“I tried to get drafted as a teenager but my body wasn’t in good enough condition,” he said.
“It wasn’t until about two years ago that I thought I needed a change if I wanted to make it. With the help of people around me I made that change and now I’ve got an opportunity.
“In 2012 I was still a bit heavy and I wanted to take my footy seriously and so I did, and thankfully it all worked out.
“I think the effort the people around me have put in has certainly helped me mature as a player this year.
“It was a good year and I had some very good players around me which I think certainly helped.”
Vandenberg was contemplating a move to the SANFL last year but chose to stay in Canberra and continue at NEAFL level.
His selection put an exclamation point on the region’s drought-breaking year which produced three AFL draftees – the first time any player has been drafted from Canberra since 2009.
“I think it’s amazing for Canberra. Getting so many players drafted shows that this new form that the league is taking is going to help develop young kids.”
Vandenberg, who had a shoulder reconstruction in early October, will join his new AFL club next week
Last Modified on 03/12/2014 13:46