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Maffra draft hopeful Coby Burgiel.

Eyeing off draft day

Tom Hayes

MAFFRA draft hopeful Coby Burgiel has his eyes set on the AFL, after nominating for the draft. Burgiel has attracted attention off the back of an impressive season with Gippsland Power and Victoria Country. When representing Gippsland Power, Burgiel played influential roles in securing the minor premiership in the NAB League. Unfortunately, the Power were unable to go all the way, defeated by Sandringham Dragons in the Preliminary Final. This year, Burgiel played nine games for Power, named in the best four times. He scored 12.11 from those matches and averaged more than 20 disposals per game. Burgiel landed in the NAB League Team of the Week three times for Rounds 12, 14 and 16. Across those three games, the utility kicked seven goals in two wins for the Power. The other was a narrow four-point loss to Dandenong Stingrays. During the year, Burgiel also represented Victoria Country four times in the NAB AFL National Championships. Burgiel is described as a versatile player who can play in all areas of the ground. He takes pride in his speed and strength, as well as power and decision-making. Speaking to the Gippsland Times, he said he feels as if he has similar attributes to the likes of Sydney’s Chad Warner, or Richmond’s Jayden Short. “Throughout this year, I played as a midfielder going forward. At nationals, I thought I played some of my best footy at half-back,” Burgiel said. This was largely displayed during his time with Gippsland Power and Victoria Country. He was invited to the National AFL Draft Combine in early October. “I was hoping to get one [an invite] and when I did, I was excited and keen to have a crack,” he said. During the combine, Burgiel was able to exhibit his skillset to potential clubs. In doing so, he recorded a 2.883 second 20-metre sprint result - the third-fastest time of the combine. Burgiel juggled football and school throughout 2022, mentioning it took some adapting to commit to both properly. Seeing his name in the media is new, however; Burgiel sees the positives from the limelight. “I don’t get too into it, but it’s a good feeling knowing my football is being recognised,” he said. Burgiel has spoken to all AFL clubs except one. However, he doesn’t appear to mind where he may be drafted to, despite being a Hawthorn supporter - his dad Hayden was drafted to the Hawks in 1997. Gippsland Power has several players with a chance of being drafted. Bairnsdale’s Cooper Vickery appears likely to join Hawthorn’s ‘Next Generation Academy’, while Maffra duo Jonti Schuback and Max Knobel have also received interest at AFL level. Drouin’s Jacob Konstanty decided to pursue Aussie Rules over soccer, and has reportedly spoke to a majority of AFL clubs. Gippsland Power captain, Bailey Humphrey (Moe), is seen as one of the big bolters in the 2022 draft, as his stock continued to rise upon returning from injury.

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