Healesville’s Andrew Moore (centre) with his family, from left, sister Karen, dad Chris, brother and Richmond defender Kelvin and mum Gayle, after last Thursday night’s AFL draft. 40015 By Paul Pickering
HEALESVILLE teenager Andrew Moore knows better than most AFL draftees just how lucky he is.
The 18-year-old Eastern Ranges utility has had a rare insight into the struggles and triumphs of an aspiring AFL footballer via his older brother, Richmond defender Kelvin Moore.
The brothers, who have followed drastically different paths towards their footy dream, were side-by-side at the Melbourne Convention Centre last Thursday night when Andrew heard his name called.
He was chosen by Port Adelaide with pick nine in the draft, making him the second young hopeful to be introduced under the new made-for-TV format that saw the top 10 selections revealed as a countdown.
Only Calder Cannons midfielder Jake Melksham – taken with Essendon’s number 10 pick – and his family had a shorter wait before the uncertainty ended.
“It’s such a relief,” Andrew beamed afterwards, already dressed in a Port Adelaide polo shirt.
“Especially to be called out that early.”
Andrew, who has just finished Year 12 at Yarra Valley Grammar School, was widely touted as the most versatile player in this year’s draft crop. At 188cm, he played forward, back and in the midfield in the TAC Cup this season.
He also starred for Vic Metro in the national under-18 carnival, leading the competition in contested marks.
That impressive resume and his mature frame suggest that Andrew will make his AFL debut sooner rather than later next year. Port Adelaide is drawn to play Richmond in round 10, so that date will be circled on the Moore family calendar.
Kelvin, 25, who has now played 65 senior games for the Tigers, lost his passion for the game as a teenager and opted out of the Ranges program.
It wasn’t until after leaving school that he realised his own missed opportunity and decided to have a crack at the big league.
Richmond gave him that chance when it picked him in the 2002 rookie draft, but persistent injuries hampered his bid for a regular spot in the Tigers’ senior group.
After a breakout season in 2008, he is now a permanent fixture in the Richmond defence and a member of the club’s leadership group.
Still, Kelvin was as wide-eyed as his brother about last week’s draft.
“It was all new to me,” he said, adding that he had kept the big-brotherly advice to a minimum in the lead-up to the event.
“I spoke to him a little bit about it, but it wasn’t anything that I’d experienced before, so I just went on the roller-coaster with him.”
Dad, Chris, and mum, Gayle, are just happy that their boys both have the opportunity to pursue the same dream.
“Not in my wildest dreams would I have thought about that,” Chris said, before acknowledging their contrasting journeys towards the AFL.
Andrew was among four Ranges TAC Cup stars drafted last Thursday night, joining schoolmate Jordan Gysberts as well as Ben Griffiths and Ayden Kennedy.
