Well done Graham. =D> =D> =D>
Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre to host draft
By Luke Holmesby 4:16 PM Fri 21 Oct, 2011
THE SYDNEY Olympic Park Sports Centre will host this year's NAB AFL Draft.
In the first draft meeting held in NSW, the world-class venue will host a meeting of the AFL's 18 clubs, with new franchise Greater Western Sydney holding 11 of the first 14 picks.
This follows last year's draft, which was held on the Gold Coast as the Suns put in place their inaugural playing list.
NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Graham Annesley said the Sports Centre was an ideal place to host such a prominent event in the AFL calendar.
"Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre is a focal point for regional, national and international sport in Western Sydney, offering the AFL the perfect venue to hold its draft next month," Mr Annesley said.
More than 400 staff, players and management from the AFL's 18 clubs will converge on the venue along with a media contingent of about 100.
AFL General Manager of National and International Development David Matthews said the venue was the best choice to celebrate the Giants' arrival in the AFL.
"Having the opportunity to host the event in Sydney is the perfect lead-in for the GWS Giants and it is certainly shaping up to be a promising night for the newest AFL club," Matthews said.
Over 1500 viewing seats will be made available to the public, with Fox Sports broadcasting the draft across Australia.
Last year more than 125,000 people tuned in.
Eastern Ranges forward Jonathon Patton is widely tipped to be the first pick, with West Australian midfielder Stephen Coniglio also in contention.
The NAB AFL Draft will also coincide with a number of key meetings to be held in Sydney across the week including the AFL Commission, the National Coaches conference, AFL Football Managers Meeting and the Club CEO's conference.
The draft will return to Gold Coast for the next three seasons.
http://www.AFL.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx