Harper Sercombe
Brisbane has added to its forward stocks securing the Western Jets’ Logan Morris at the AFL draft.
The Lions picked up the dynamic forward with pick 31 of the draft on Tuesday night.
“It’s pretty surreal to be finally on an AFL list, that’s something I’ve dreamt of my whole life and to finally be on one doesn’t feel real but it’s unbelievable,” he said.
With the first round of the draft wrapping up on Monday night and Morris’ not selected after the 29 picks, it was a long wait in between rounds. Although he did have an inkling the Lions would pounce on him early.
“Not going on the first night and then having to wait another 24 hours, it was the longest 24 hours of my life,” Morris said.
“I didn’t get much sleep that night, but for it now to be finally over, it’s a big relief.
“Going into the draft I knew the Lions were interested, with their first pick being early in the second round, it was on the table that they might pick me.
“I didn’t really think anything of it until they actually read my name and then it kind of felt real.”
The Werribee Districts product is a 191 centimetre hybrid player who has proved himself at both ends of the ground, showcasing his range of talents and work ethic.
Morris displayed a dominant year for the Jets booting 30 goals from his 10 outings for the club. The 18-year-old also applied his craft for Vic Metro, including a four goal haul against Western Australia, and slotted two in his Victorian Football League debut for Werribee.
Now with a move up north imminent he couldn’t be happier.
“I’m super excited to be up there, I’ve already got my living sorted and all the boys have been getting around me and making me feel welcome, so I can’t wait,” he said.
“We’re flying up on Tuesday and then we come back over the Christmas holidays, but we go up for a couple of weeks and get stuck into pre-season.”
Morris will be moving in with fellow draftee and hybrid forward Luke Lloyd from the Sandringham Dragons.
The Lions have been the attacking powerhouse of the competition over the last few seasons, with superstar forwards such as Joe Daniher, Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood and former Western Jet Cameron Rayner.
“To learn off the likes of Hipwood and Daniher, I’ll definitely learn a lot and it’s great to have such experienced forwards to learn off,” Morris said.
“Cam Rayner sent me a text the other day, he was a Jets’ boy and he’s pretty keen that he’s got another Jets’ boy coming up, so I can’t wait to meet him and train with him.
“I’ll be leaning on him for a bit of advice or if I’ve got any questions or anything, it’s good to have people like that at the club.”
Brisbane national recruiting manager Stephen Conole said the club was pleased with securing Morris early in the second round.
“Logan is a competitive young man who adds some versatility to our forward group,” Conole said.
“He is a terrific contested player, strong mark, presents well and reads the drop of the ball well, and is a forward who can play high or deep.”
Former Taylors Lakes junior Hugo Garcia was picked up by St Kilda.
