Possible number one picks unfazed by hype

POSSIBLE number one draft picks Luke Davies-Uniacke and Paddy Dow are unfazed about the extra attention leading into November’s 2017 National AFL Draft.

Both Vic Country prospects have been touted as contenders for the Brisbane Lions number one pick and are in Melbourne ahead of the 2017 National AFL Combine which begun at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

Dandenong Stingrays’ midfielder Davies-Uniacke begun the season with a bang with 22 disposals and six clearances against the Northern Blues VFL team in an AFL Academy game and has dealt with the hype throughout most of 2017.

“There’s always a little bit of pressure, but I’m a pretty laid back type of guy,” Davies-Uniacke said at Wednesday’s press conference. “I’m just cruising at the moment, just waiting for draft night and hopefully will be on a list.”

The Haileybury College student has been a strong performer for the ‘Bloods’, helping them to an undefeated season – playing alongside possible 2017 draftees Andrew Brayshaw, Charlie Constable, Oscar Clavarino and Jackson Ross.

Davies-Uniacke has leant on former 2015 number one draft pick and past Stingray Jacob Weitering throughout 2017 for advice.

“I’m pretty good mates with Jacob (Weitering), and we get on nicely, so he’s given me a couple of tips and what to focus on and he’s been a real good help,” he said.

Geelong Grammar boarder Dow will have a different week to Davies-Uniacke, sitting out all the testing during the four-day combine. Dow injured his shoulder in the Bendigo Pioneers Round 16 clash against Gippsland Power – but the performance solidified his chances to be the number one pick, with 35 disposals (21 contested), seven marks, seven inside 50s, six clearances and two goals.

In recent weeks Dow had surgery to fix the injury and is hopeful of being fit to hit the preseason running at whichever club drafts him.

“My shoulders fine, I won’t be doing the testing but there’s a lot more other stuff so I’ll do the media, all the interviews and it’s all very exciting, there’s a lot of other stuff you can do,” Dow said. “I injured it about six weeks ago, but I think about all the positives of this season, I didn’t miss many games, so the quicker I got it done, the quicker I was back and I can train.”

Throughout the National Under 18 Championships, Dow averaged 19 disposals (12 contested) and five clearances – but doesn’t take the talk of him being the possible number one pick too seriously.

“I take it as a compliment, but you don’t take it too seriously, just keep going at what your good at and just enjoy the ride I guess,” Dow said. “(To be highly rated) It gives you confidence in your ability and you get to a club and you’ll feel better about yourself.”

At the next level, Davies-Uniacke pictures himself as a Dustin Martin type, “hunting the ball and bringing that consistently every week” attempting to follow in the footsteps of idol Lenny Hayes.

“I thought the way he went about his football was unreal, his aggression is something I like to bring to the game,” he said.

Swan Hill product Dow believes his major strengths are his “inside winning ability, contested ball and being able to go forward”.

The pair will be in Melbourne all week, alongside other number one pick contenders Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra and Cameron Rayner – with the group to be interviewed by the Lions over the four-day combine.

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