Nominated for AFL draft

Woy Woy Bay resident Kyall Walford has been nominated for next year's AFL Rookie Draft.

The 21 year-old has a current scholarship with the Central Coast Academy of Sport's Future Stars program and has just finished a season with the Gosford Tigers, polling 10 votes in the Black Diamond AFL Elliot Davey Medal.

He kicked 23 goals to finish runner-up in the club's Best and Fairest award.

Walford has been signed by Victorian Football League club Sandringham and is already busy packing his bags in preparation to relocate south and commence pre-season training.

Kyall's father Bill, who is a current member of the Black Diamond AFL Board and president of the Gosford club, captained Sandringham in the early 1970s.

He said he couldn't be prouder of his son's selection to carry on the family tradition with the club.

"Obviously I'm thrilled that Kyall will be playing in the old Sandy (Sandringham) colours but the most pleasing thing about all of this is that it's providing him an opportunity to experience the level of the VFL and allowing him the pathway to his goal of stepping up to the AFL," Bill said.

Walford joined the Central Coast Academy of Sport's Future Stars program this year as the academy's first AFL scholarship athlete.

Kyall has also excelled in Rugby League, having played first grade with Woy Woy and enjoying a stint with the Melbourne Storm's Central Coast based Jersey Flegg side.

The AFL draft is an annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian Rules Football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.

Clubs may choose from available players based on the position in which they finish on the ladder during the season.

Newsletter, 31 Oct 2008 Luke Tucker, Central Coast Sports News