CALEB WINDSOR PICK #7 IN THE AFL DRAFT 2023 TAKEN BY THE MELBOURNE FC.
Caleb lived locally and joined Rowville Sports Academy in 2018 having attended Lysterfield Primary School. At that time Caleb played for Knox Falcons FC U12, although he subsequently moved to his local Lysterfield Wolves FC. It says much about Caleb’s desire to get better and his capability of taking on feedback to do so, that as a student coming into Year 7 Caleb had been assessed at our selection camps as a very capable footballer but not one of the top handful of students chosen for the RSA AFL program in 2018. This mirrors the development that Caleb has had over the last couple of years in particular. While Caleb’s skills and athletic traits were certainly obvious enough and he gained selection for Eastern Ranges in the Coates League as a bottom aged player in 2022, he began 2023 just on the pundits ranking lists at about #50. It says much about Caleb’s character and work traits however, that during the year recognition of Caleb began to be notable as his rankings moved into the 20s after the national carnival, then into the early teens towards the end of the season before being predicted as a top 10 pick ahead of the national draft.
Caleb brings run and carry and strong kicking to his game traits with speed and power that is sure to be invaluable to the Melbourne FC, where we are confident that he will have a long and distinguished career. We wish you all well Caleb and will watch your career with great interest and pride.
NICK WATSON PICK #5 IN THE AFL DRAFT 2023 TAKEN BY THE HAWTHORN FC.
Nick joined Rowville Sports Academy AFL program in 2018 from Tinternvale Primary School and East Ringwood FC. Director of Coaching, Darren Bewick, identified very early the special talents that Nick possessed and indeed selected him for the program while he was still in Year 5 and assessed him at our trials as one of the most talented students to attend our pre-selection camps. On joining the RSA program, Nick continued to work hard further developing his skills on both sides of his body and working on his decision making in game situations. As he progressed to the Eastern Ranges these traits and the physical development within his small stature were the ones that held him in great stead and he was selected for Eastern Ranges FC as a double bottom aged player in the Coates League, where he had immediate success.
Although Nick completed his final two years of school as a scholarship holder at Caulfield Grammar, RSA is proud of the work that occurred across his 4 years at Rowville to position Nick for his elite selection in the 2023 draft. This is the highest selection achieved by a male RSA student in the draft alongside Amber Clarke’s selection by Essendon in the 2022 AFLW draft.
Congratulations Nick we look forward to watching a highly successful AFL career unfold.
