South Adelaide draft prospect Matthew Roberts is anticipating he’ll be picked up in the second round of the AFL National Draft.
Roberts and fellow draftees are just a day away from having their dreams realised when they officially join their AFL clubs.
He grew up an Adelaide Crows fan and missed a portion of 2021 through a syndesmosis injury, but has still impressed recruiters to be a near certainty to be selected on the night.
Speaking to SEN SA Breakfast, he confirmed he’d be happy to move to cross-town rivals Port Adelaide.
“They (recruiters) don’t really give much away to you as such but I’ve spoken to Port Adelaide and Hawthorn a couple of times, obviously they’re interested and interviewed me a couple of times,” he said.
“Speaking to my manager, it’s probably towards the 20-40 range (that I’ll get picked up).
“I’ve supported the Crows, but obviously staying in Adelaide would be pretty cool, still with family and friends but it’s obviously something you can’t really rely on as there are only the two clubs here.
“I’d be fine moving interstate.”
Adelaide has picks 4, 33, 74, 76 and 87, while Port Adelaide has 12, 62, 72, 73 and 85 in the National Draft, meaning there’s a lack of picks between the two clubs in the range Roberts anticipates himself going.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn has both picks 21 and 24, and could make good on their interest in Roberts
Roberts kicked two goals in the Panthers’ Preliminary Final loss to Glenelg in the SANFL earlier this year and credits his “footy IQ” for making him the player he is.
“I feel like my biggest weapon is probably my footy IQ and smarts, as well as being clean below my knees and being able to hit targets by foot and be damaging going forward,” he said.
“Also being able to play as a forward and a midfielder and make an impact on the scoreboard.”
The first round of the draft will be taken on Wednesday night, with the following rounds to be selected on Thursday night.
