Casboult Will Join The Suns For AFL Rookie Draft

Levi Casboult appears set to adhere to the AFL’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement following Gold Coast handed the former Carlton key player in the position a lifeline to his career.

Casboult was reported to have resisted receiving any of the vaccines that are currently available in Australia and waited for Novavax to be accepted.

The 31-year-old played 154 times in twelve seasons for the Blues and was picked to be picked by Gold Coast with pick three in the draft for rookies on Friday.

According to AFL rules, which were announced in the last month, players as well as football department staff members from both the women’s and men’s teams must be completely immunised.

The application process is for exemptions based on criteria similar to Victoria’s authorized worker mandate for vaccination.

Gold Coast are hopeful Casboult will be able to provide the necessary support for the talented group of tall youngsters that are led by Ben King, Jack Lukosius and No.5 draft selection Mac Andrew.

“Levi will bring depth to our key position stocks and add valuable experience to our developing talls,” Suns recruitment manager Kall Burns said.

“He is a tough and competitive player that is extremely physical.

“He is a marker and can be a fantastic goal in the front.

“Levi has achieved a lot at AFL level already and we look forward to him contributing to our future success.”

North Melbourne gave Jared Polec an entry on the rookie list after the wingman who signed a lucrative five-year deal to the Kangaroos in the year 2018 but was not in the midst of a revival in the past two seasons.

Ben Davis (Adelaide), Lochie O’Brien and Matt Cottrell (Carlton), Bigoa Nyuon (Richmond), Lewis Taylor (Sydney) and the Cam Ellis-Yolmen (Brisbane), Isaac Chugg (Collingwood), Jez McLennan (Gold Coast), Mitch Crowden and Connor Blakely (Fremantle), Jacob Wehr (GWS) and Sam Mayes (Port Adelaide) were also listed as rookies by clubs who had removed them.

The Power took on former North Melbourne midfielder Trent Dumont, Rory Thompson joined Gold Coast via the pre-season draft, and St Kilda selected speedster Jack Peris who is the father of Olympic gold medalist Nova Peris – as a Category B rookie.

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Former No.1 draft selection Paddy McCartin could yet end being on Sydney’s radar during the supplemental selection period that runs prior to the start of the season.