Demons Open Arms to Father-Son Duo!

Former utility player Emerson Jeka, who previously played for Hawthorn, has now joined Geelong. Melbourne secured another father-son selection, while Riley Bonner, a former Port Adelaide defender, also found a new club during the AFL rookie and pre-season drafts on Wednesday.

Jeka, who spent four seasons with the Hawks but fell out of favor, managed to secure a spot with the Cats in the rookie draft. This unexpected move by Geelong aims to bolster their big man department with additional depth. Despite Jeka’s limited senior game time at Hawthorn, the Cats see potential in him.

In contrast, the Hawks decided not to extend a lifeline to Jeka but did re-list Chad Wingard through the pre-season draft. Wingard, recovering from an Achilles tendon injury, aims to return to the field late next season.

St Kilda picked up Riley Bonner, a versatile defender with rebounding skills who can also play on the ball. Bonner, who played 17 senior games in 2022 and 11 this year, is set to contribute to the Saints’ lineup.

Gold Coast Suns selected former Kangaroo Jack Mahony in the rookie draft, while VFL star Sam Clohesy, previously with Werribee, joined the Suns as well. Clohesy was chosen with pick No.4 in the rookie draft, joining his teammate Shaun Mannagh in the AFL. The Suns had earlier re-listed Sam Day through the pre-season draft.

North Melbourne added ruck-forward Finnbar Maley, a 19-year-old who impressed with the Northern Bullants in the VFL. Maley’s family has a strong sports background, with his sister Anneli being a basketball player for Australia’s national women’s team. Their father, Paul, was an import player in the NBL in the ’90s.

Melbourne made a father-son selection by choosing Kynan Brown, a midfielder from Oakleigh Chargers and Vic Metro. Kynan’s father, Nathan Brown, played 146 games for the Demons. Sydney added Indhi Kirk, the son of club great Brett Kirk, as a category B rookie. Indhi Kirk, a graduate of the Swans academy, has experience playing in the VFL.

Several players, including Will Hamill (Adelaide), Cooper Stephens (Hawthorn), Jake Melksham (Melbourne), Adam Kennedy (Greater Western Sydney), James Borlase (Adelaide), Lachie McNeil (Western Bulldogs), and Taylor Duryea (Western Bulldogs), were also re-listed via the rookie draft.