FC - Emma, your book, ‘The Draft’ released in September, is a great read, taking the reader into the lives of a group of potential AFL draftees through 2007, how did you come up with the concept originally, and what inspired you and motivated you to write a book about the AFL Draft?

EQ - I was really lucky; the publishing company, Allen & Unwin, came to me in about September 2006. I'd been covering junior football and the draft for a few years for The Age, and the publisher, Andrea McNamara, told me she thought it was time for a book on the draft and asked whether I'd be interested and how it might work. So I came up with a plan, wrote it up and after a bundle of meetings we got the green light and it all went from there. I probably got interested in the draft around 2001. I was new to the sports section at The Age and I found the stories about Chris Judd, Luke Ball and Luke Hodge really fascinating - I wondered how the recruiters could possibly split them and what went into their decisions. I wanted that to be a big part of the book, as well as the various boys' stories.

FC - What are some of the most enjoyable moments or experiences that you can recall whilst writing the book?

EQ - Just getting to know the boys and their families was really great. I felt like I gained 5 new families throughout all the research. I loved sitting in on the Hawthorn meetings - just to hear how they discussed the boys and how specifically they looked at the different elements of their game. I got really excited for Brad when he got to play his first game for the Port Magpies, and really felt for Pat with how uncertain he was during the year, given all the ups and downs with his injuries. I got to go out on the MCG at with the Murray Bushrangers on grand final day. Draft Day 2007 was interesting - I was all stressed out, waiting to see what would happen to them. And since the book's finished, getting to watch them all play some AFL footy has been awesome, it's been like watching my little brothers play. All up, the year was such a fantastic time, I really enjoyed gathering up all the material.

FC - When did you first become interested in this area, with the process of drafting and recruiting of future AFL players?

EQ - I probably touched on that earlier, but it was definitely 2001. Hawthorn obviously had the No. 1 pick, it was such a huge decision, and all three of those players sounded so good. I guess from there I got interested in actually watching them play before they got to draft stage, so I knew a bit more about them. Back then the draft wasn't getting a huge run in the newspapers so I thought there might be an opportunity there to do something no-one else much was doing. It was me and Matt Burgan all alone at the draft camp for a while; this year there would have been 4 cameras and 10 journalists there on day one. And I love how when it gets closer to the actual draft you can try and suss out who the clubs are after and which players might go where.

FC - In the book, you explain about the recruiting and drafting by the Hawthorn Football Club undertakes, which is mammoth and fascinating reading, what were your initial thoughts upon hearing this, as content for the book?

EQ - I wanted to have one club involved, kind of as a sixth character in the book. I wanted to compare how much thought and process they put into what they do with the uncertainty the boys all live with - they have no idea where they're going until draft day.  I went to Hawthorn first knowing already that they would be entering, in 2007, the final part of a recruiting plan. Luckily enough they said they'd like to be involved and were really good with giving me access to all their recruiting charts from the previous couple of years as well as letting me sit on every meeting throughout the season.

FC - There were a number of players that slipped and rose through the recent draft do you think players from NSW, QLD and TAS are disadvantaged with less exposure to scouts and recruiters?

EQ - Possibly. I think giving the 2 best division 2 sides a run in the first division was a great idea this season. Hopefully in time it might become even more of an ongoing series, so long as the demand on the boys with their club footy is handled well. I think it's actually the NT boys who suffer a bit from lack of exposure, largely given their season is played during summer and so if they're going to play well at the under18s in July, they have to keep themselves up and running for a very long time.

FC - Now, with the 2008 AFL Draft completed, many readers may have read your articles, featured in The Age. Who are your 3 ‘off the radar’ chances if given the opportunity at their respective AFL clubs to win a 2009 NAB Rising Star nomination, or even the annual award? As collectors, who should we keep our eyes on?

EQ - I'd be backing Dan Rich - the last two winners have been draft pick No. 7! There are a couple from last year that might be a chance - David Myers from Essendon maybe. Pat Veszpremi, if I'm allowed to be biased!! It will be interesting to see who bobs up and makes an impact straight away as there are always a few that surprise.

FC - Which 3 players do you think were unlucky not be drafted in the 2008 National Draft on the weekend?

EQ - There were quite a few. Tom Rockliff from the Murray Bushrangers was extremely lucky - there's not a lot more he could have done. I thought Michael Gugliotta from the NT was unlucky, but he'll get rookied. Casey Sibosado is a player I really like, so hopefully he'll get a chance too. And how about Ben Cousins?

FC - Was it our imagination, but it seemed like everybody knew more about this year’s crop of draftees than in previous years?

EQ - I think the level of interest has really grown over the years, from the media to internet forums and the like. Maybe there was even too much this year; I have this argument at work all the time but I'd even love to see it get like American sports where you have journalists watching the junior sport all year. I try and see as much as I can, but my job is still to write about AFL, so it's tough.

FC - In previous years, were there any players did you not expect to reach the pinnacle of the AFL and clearly exceeded those expectations?

EQ - Not that I can think of off the top of my head. Although even I was amazed at what Junior Rioli achieved this year - I never would have expected him to play all 22 games, plus finals, and to make such an impact. Having said that, it was kind of hard to imagine him in a Box Hill jumper! It's been so good to see each of them get a chance this year, watching them all play for the first time was a huge buzz.

FC - Now or growing up did you ever collect or have any football collectables, including cards, stickers or badges?

EQ - I did have a disturbingly large collection of Mark Harvey badges. As a kid I used to try gather up all the Essendon cards each year and I had a heap of player badges but that's about it.

FC - Do you still keep in touch with any of the players featured in the book,

EQ - Yep, I am still in touch with the boys as well as their families. I catch up with them or have a chat every few weeks to see what's happening. As I said, that's been almost the best part of doing the book, the friendships that have come out of it.

FC - And lastly Emma, what other interesting projects are in the pipleline, do you think you might do a ‘Part 2’ or ‘2^nd edition’ sometime in the future?

EQ - I would like to do something similar, but the whole project all up took two years out of my life so it will be nice to have some time during summer to catch up with all the friends I have neglected! I do have another (non draft related) book in the pipeline, it's not all confirmed yet, but hopefully that all comes off.

Congratulations Emma on the book, and thanks again for your time!

About Us

Footycards.com.au is a small organisation and since 2000 has been dedicated to providing a vast range of Australian Football League and sports collectibles and paraphenalia from past to present-day. We are driven by customer service. We believe that because of each and every one of our customers, we are in the position to offer this service for more years to come.

We hope you enjoy our new website and visit us on a regular basis because our wide variety of products will be continually changing all the time. If you are pleased with our products, please tell a friend! We also want to hear from you if you have a special request or would like to see if we can obtain a special item (a special gift perhaps?) please email us and let us know. We will do whatever we can to accommodate your request.

We are always keen to discuss new  business and consignment ventures, bulk purchases, and further advertising opportunities. We are always striving for Footycards.com.au to increase its credibility and establish itself as THE place to football cards and collectibles on the internet in Australia.