By Guy Hand
November 27th 2009 @ 1:12am
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Lions again provide the element of surprise
Not content with AFL trade week’s most stunning deal in securing Brendan Fevola, Brisbane provided the national draft’s biggest surprise by salvaging ex-St Kilda defender Matt Maguire’s career.
Maguire, delisted by the Saints after a series of injuries which limited him to just 14 games in three years, had been training with Carlton in the hope of earning selection in next month’s pre-season draft.
Instead Brisbane swooped at the fag end of Thursday night’s draft to pick up the 25-year-old at No.91.
It was a move few saw coming – Lions coach Michael Voss again showing his penchant for surprises after adding Fevola during trade week’s blockbuster deal.
But Voss admitted he had spoken to Maguire last week about the prospect of Brisbane picking him, and had been quietly canvassing opinions about the player with a view to one of few national draft shocks on Thursday night.
Among those counselled was Voss’ brother Brett, who played with Maguire at St Kilda prior to the sickening leg break which stalled the key defender’s promising career.
“I’d been talking to other people about him – and my brother’s been at St Kilda too – to understand a bit about how he operates and I don’t mind having someone with some assertiveness and presence about him,” Voss said.
“There’s a fair bit of reconnaissance that goes into recruiting nowadays and also what your needs are.
“We need to be able to bolster our defence with another tall and we’ve been able to do that with a mature player who can slot straight in.”
Maguire had been watching the draft on television with another former Saint Luke Ball, who found his way – along with a million-dollar price tag to deter other suitors – to Collingwood at pick 30.
Carlton were philosophical about Maguire being pinched by Brisbane, even giving a glowing reference for his new fulltime employers.
“In the three weeks at the club, he’s been outstanding, setting good examples for our young blokes so I’m just really pleased for him,” Blues recruiting manager Wayne Hughes said.
“We wish him really well because he deserves it.”
Maguire’s former St Kilda coach Ross Lyon also said he was pleased the defender had the chance to continue his career.
Maguire and Ball were among six recycled players taken in the draft, with ex-Brisbane forward Rhan Hooper picked by Hawthorn at 58.
St Kilda threw a lifeline to ex-North Melbourne defender Jesse Smith at 60 and dumped Richmond ruckman Adam Pattison at 64, while Collingwood nabbed delisted Melbourne midfielder Simon Buckley at 85.
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