So, here we pick up from <a href="http://tooserious.net/the-induction-camp-for-afl-draftees-part-one">yesterdays article[/url], with my interviews with Carltons Sam Rowe, Collingwoods Jamie Elliot and from the GWS, the #1 draft pick, Jon Patton.

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Sam Rowe
Carlton F/R, 196cm, 92kg, $106,600 in SC, $98,700 in DT.

W: Do you play Supercoach or Dreamteam?

SR: I do, I didnt play Supercoach last year though, I *ahem* missed lockout, and didnt bother with it after that.

W: I see, but youve played in the past? Howd you go?

SR: To start with, I was really into it, but then as soon as I start having bad weeks, I really cant get into it.

W: Hows it all going? How are you fitting into the Blues and hows training going?

SR: Its going well, fitting in well and having a great time. Really impressed with everyone and the club. Looking forward to getting some games in a months time when we start the practice matches.

W: So do you think youre on track for early games?

SR: Im doing what I can, trainings going well, but Ive only been there a month so far so I cant say too much, but its all going well so far and well see what happens.

W: You played at Norwood with Nick Duigan, how is it with him at the Blues?

SR: Yeah, hes been very good, I played with Duigs for about three years at Norwood and hes been very good. He was in quite a similar situation to what Im in now, so I just need to copy what he did.

W: So on the training track, who would you say are doing the best so far?

SR: By far and away so far, Andrew Walker. I know he had a breakout year last year, but if I was doing a Dreamteam, or Supercoach, Id definitely have him in there. Hes an absolute machine, hes the fittest, strongest, fastest guy going around.

So there you have it, Andrew Walker is smashing it. As it Sam Rowe, who I must say, looks a bigger frame than the 92kg Ive written above- I was surprised when I read that! Anyways, we tend to steer clear of rookie talls, but being a 24 year old, with a big body and Setanta off to the GWS, I cant see any reason why he wont be getting games early at the Blues.

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Jamie Elliot
Collingwood FWD, 175cm, 75kg, $106,600 in SC, $98,700 in DT.

W: Do you play Supercoach or Dreamteam?

JE: I probably played it 2 or so years ago, but havent had the time since.

W: Youve had a bit of a unique entry into the AFL, avoiding the draft. Tell me about that?

JE: It was before the Combine, I spoke to Collingwood and had an interview with them, they said they were pretty keen. Then I went into the Combine, they mentioned that trade week was just after than. On the first Monday of trade week, they called to tell me it was official. 12 days later, I went in and started training straight away. It was a big shock but I think it was better than waiting and watching the draft on TV.

W: Arizona, did you make the trip over there, how was it? Did you get smashed?

JE: Yeah, we did. As soon as you get over there its a big shock to the system. You cant breath properly and youre just sucking in the breathes. About one week in youre over it, but you just gotta push through. But then the last week, I was sick so I didnt do the full training, but the training I did do was pretty hard.

W: And the benefits when you come back, how did you find that?

JE: Huge benefits, the body feels so much better and I feel like I can just keep running, so I think going over there has benefitted me a lot more than if I just stayed here

W: Now on training, where are you currently training, with the forward group?

JE: Yeah, at the moment Im training with the forward group, thats where I played predominantly through my junior years

W: Planning for many stints through the midfield?

JE: When youre playing, every player normally rotates through the middle, so Ill be learning the roles of the midfield just as much of the forward line.

W: And speaking of the rest of the team, who is tearing it up?

JE: Youve got guys like Steele Sidebottom setting benchmarks for the 2k and other drills, but when it comes to professionalism, its Luke Ball and Scott Pendlebury who sit at the top of the list, theyre always doing the hard yards.

Gotta say, Jamie seemed a pretty intense young fella. Very switched on and measured which can only help out of the field. Im not sure if hell get early games, but he did score a 126DT, with 4 goals in the U18 championships before breaking his collarbone- so there is a definite pedegree there.

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Jon Patton
GWS FWD, 197cm, 101kg, $196,600 in SC, $179,700 in DT.

W: Do you play Supercoach or Dreamteam?

JP: I did at the start of last year, but then got busy and didnt have the time.

W: Now, you were the number one pick- how did you feel when it was called out?

JP: Yeah, it was a massive honour to be picked number one. Just looking at the guys before me that was picked, to be in the same class as them is a huge honour and Im very humbled.

W: Now, youre injured at the moment, hows that all going and what timeframe are you looking at?

JP: Yeah, its going pretty well. Right now Im doing rehab on the knee and weights, but Ill be going overseas in a few week and will hopefully be back in April/May so Ill still definitely play this year.

W: If you were to pick a couple of players from the GWS for your fantasy team, who would they be?

JP: Steve Coniglio would be the main one Id pick, hes been training really well since hes gotten back from his injury. Also, probably Setanta as well. Hes just gotten back from a knee injury and hes been smashing it on the track. I think youll have a good year this year.

W: So hell be a bit of a focal point up front this year?

JP: Yeah definitely. Hell add a lot of leadership and a bit of grunt to the forward line, hes already been really good for us young guys.

Its a real shame about that injury though- while Patton may have been priced out of relevancy, it would have been good to see the #1 pick lining up in the first game. I also heard a couple of other GWS tidbits, namely that Studdly Chad is training with the forward group, and that McDonald hasnt missed a session so far and is very fit. Sounds great for the later I reckon!

And thats it, again, I want to say a big thank you to everyone at the AFLPA for letting this happen, everyone here appreciates it hugely, and for me, it was definitely fun!