Not since 1994 – when they had 10 players drafted – have the Western Jets had a night to remember at the AFL national draft like Thursday night.
In that record-breaking draft 20 years ago, the Jets boundaries were much wider, overlapping into what is now the Calder region.
Now it has one of the smallest TAC Cup regions to try to unearth talent from, so having five players selected in the one draft is a feat for the western suburbs club.
Not only that, the fab five were all chosen in the first or second rounds, including three inside the top 20.
It is an incredible haul in a golden year for the club, region manager Shane Sexton, head coach Torin Barker and the coaches and support staff.
“We’re really pleased for all the boys that got drafted,” Baker told Star Weekly.
“We saw how hard they worked for it and to see them get their opportunity is really exciting.
“The boys that got drafted have all been with us for two years and were certainly earmarked as really good players when they came into the program.
“There’s talent, but then there’s the work ethic, all those boys have demonstrated the work ethic and commitment and that’s what has got them over the line.”
The five who were widely dubbed to go – Liam Duggan, Corey Ellis, Jayden Laverde, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow and Connor Menadue – all landed on AFL lists.
The hard luck story was forward Brenton Payne, but he is a project player who is likely to get rookie listed.
Duggan was the only Jet to find himself on the list of an interstate club.
The West Coast Eagles had no hesitation using pick 11 on one of the most mature young men that nominated for the draft.
One of the youngest players taken at 17, the calm-under-pressure the left-footed midfielder was lauded for his maturity beyond his years in his time at the AIS, which led to him receiving the Ben Mitchell Medal for courage, commitment, trust and leadership.
Duggan has family living in Perth, which will make the transition to WA a lot easier.
“He’s a really well rounded kid, so he’ll have no problems living away from home and in another state,” Baker said.
“He won the award with the AIS for the sort of character that he is.
“He’s had to travel a lot, obviously coming from Ballarat and then he’s had Vic Metro and AIS squads, so he’s been doing a lot of travelling for a fair period of time
“It’s pretty good for him to go there, he’s going to a place with great weather and a really strong footy club like the West Coast Eagles.
“They wouldn’t have too many problems with him being able to handle living away from his parents because of the sort of person that he is.”
Richmond already had two Jets on its list in Bachar Houli and Steven Morris – now it has added a further two.
The Tigers landed Corey Ellis with pick 12 and Connor Menadue at pick 33.
“It was great for both Corey and Connor to be able to land at a club together,” Baker said.
“It will be exciting for them to be able to start their AFL journey already knowing someone real well.
“They’re both really quiet boys so to have them at the one club where they can track each other’s progress really closely is really good.”
The steal of the draft where the Jets are concerned was Jayden Laverde sliding to Essendon’s 20th pick.
Baker was surprised that a tall, athletic midfielder with the full box of tricks would slide so far from the single figure numbers predicted in phantom drafts.
“I was probably surprised that Jayden was still there at 20, but he would be super excited to go to Essendon, that club who he barracks for,” Baker said.
“I was surprised not just because people thought he’d go earlier, but because he’s a 190cm player who has excellent speed and really good character.
“I’m a big fan of what Jayden’s been able to do.”
Baker was not surprised to see Dillon Viojo-Rainbow taken with pick 28 by Carlton.
Viojo-Rainbow is versatile, reads the play as well as any of his teammates and has potent left foot.
“I wasn’t surprised that a club would have a go at him because one thing I’ve always said with Dillon is quality kicks are really sought after,” Baker said.
“He loves his football more than most that I’ve come across and will be absolutely rapt to be drafted.”
For those not drafted, there is a second chance with the AFL rookie draft to take place on Wednesday.
“There might be one or two more who get a look in,” Baker said, pointing to the likes of Payne, best-and-fairest Brayden Monk, Liam Carter and Billy Myers.
Western Jets 2014 AFL draft rundown
Liam Duggan (Pick 11, West Coast Eagles)
Thrives in heavy traffic, wins the lions share of contested ball, makes sound decisions under pressure and cleanly disposes of the ball, particularly on his favoured left foot.
Still only 17, Duggan has shown maturity beyond his years in his time at the Jets, and will have no issues adapting to life away from home at his new club in Perth.
Corey Ellis (pick 12, Richmond)
A natural footballer who seemed at ease in the elite under-18 environment from the moment he made the move to the Jets.
A dominant ball winner at the clearances, works hard both in an offensive and defensively with tackling a feature.
The Tigers would not let Ellis slip into the hands of a rival, even though he missed the draft combine with a foot injury.
Jayden Laverde (pick 20, Essendon)
Pre-draft, Laverde was fancied to be the top Jet selected at the draft, but slid through to Essendon late in the first round.
Could be remembered as one of the steals of the draft, a 190cm midfielder/half forward, strong overhead and agile in close.
A Bombers fan, Laverde would be delighted to have landed where he did.
Dillon Viojo-Rainbow (pick 28, Carlton)
Viojo-Rainbow is noted for his tremendous game sense.
His courage and ability to read the flight of the ball made him one of the defensive intercept marks in the TAC Cup.
He is an elite kick of the ball, one of the best at the draft, and that allows him to turn defence into attack in an instant.
Connor Menadue (pick 33, Richmond)
Menadue has speed to burn, breaks the lines and packs elite endurance.
The consistent midfielder was one of the best run and carry players at the Jets.
A relative lightweight, Menadue will benefit from being in the full time professional set-up at the Tigers.
