Late-night Xbox addict Ryan Maric joins West Coast in mid-season ...

1 Jun 2023

7NEWS.com.au

West Coast have snared vastly improved Victorian forward Ryan Maric with the top pick in the AFL mid-season rookie draft.

A total of 13 players were selected on Wednesday night, with Quinton Narkle and Caleb Poulter given career lifelines at Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs respectively.

Tears flowed for Maric when his name was called by the Eagles, vindicating his decision to embark on a rapid body transformation over the last two years.

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The 18-year-old Gippsland Power product dropped 24kg with his personal-trainer brother’s help to reach his current playing weight of 83kg.

Maric recently admitted that he had been a “massive snacker” and addicted to his Xbox during COVID lockdowns.

“In the COVID year when we were stuck at home, I stayed up late at night playing Xbox and I’d snack on potato chips, Pringles, anything I could find. All just stuff that wasn’t really filling and I probably had a lot of it,” he told News Corp in May.

An emotional Ryan Maric after his name was called by West Coast in the AFL’s mid-season draft. Credit: AFL.com.au

He said he reached a low ebb at the end of 2020 and a talent scout told him that he was not “anywhere near the standard required” and his weight was “definitely” holding him back.

Now, he has emerged as a serious talent, making his VFL debut with Box Hill this month.

“I’ve just cut out all the junk food and all of my snacking. On a Sunday night I do all my meal prep so I know what I’m eating for the week,” he said.

After he was drafted, Maric revealed he would be giving up his job as a “night-fill stacker” at Woolworths to begin his AFL career.

“Sort of worked at Jack’s Pizza Shack in Drouin for three years so from the pizza shop now to Woolies, so I will probably have to give that up,” he said.

Maric said he had “worked very, very hard to get in (the AFL)” and it had all happened quickly once his transformation was complete.

“Off the back of a lot of hard work - I’ve dreamed about this for a while, but to finally get read out, it hasn’t really felt real until now. (I am) very emotional,” he said.

Maric models his game on Geelong superstar Jeremy Cameron and Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch, and hails from the town of Drouin, which produced Cats legend Gary Ablett Sr and Collingwood premiership player Dale Thomas.

The 193cm prospect is known for his booming kick and is a good chance to feature at the top level for injury-ravaged West Coast this season.

Maric got his confidence back after he stopped the snacks and shed weight. Credit: Getty Images

North Melbourne took Subiaco small forward Robert Hansen Jr with the second pick, while Hawthorn snared 204cm Eastern Ranges ruckman Clay Tucker at No.3.

Richmond picked Glenelg small forward Matt Coulthard at No.4 before GWS, who had two live selections at the mid-season draft, passed on both their picks.

Narkle played 41 games for Geelong before being delisted last year and has shone with Essendon’s VFL side this season.

The 25-year-old will add midfield and forward depth to Port Adelaide’s list as they chase a premiership this season.

Narkle is a second cousin and former school mate of tough Power forward Sam Powell-Pepper.

Port Adelaide have given Quinton Narkle an AFL lifeline by signing him in the mid-season draft. Credit: AAP

“He is a mature body that can help us now and into the future,” Port Adelaide recruiting manager Geoff Parker said.

“He’s got great character traits and is desperate for a second chance.

“We know he’ll do everything he can to make the most of this opportunity.”

Poulter earned his call-up by the Bulldogs after impressing with the Footscray VFL side this season.

The 20-year-old midfielder was originally a top-30 national draft pick for Collingwood and played 12 senior games with the Magpies but was delisted at the end of last year.

AFL 2023 MID-SEASON DRAFT

First round

1. West Coast - Ryan Maric (Gippsland Power)

2. North Melbourne - Robert Hansen Jnr (Subiaco)

3. Hawthorn - Clay Tucker (Eastern Ranges)

4. Richmond - Matt Coulthard (Glenelg)

5. Greater Western Sydney - Pass

6. Sydney - Harry Arnold (Brisbane VFL)

7. Geelong - Mitch Hardie (Woodville-West Torrens)

8. Fremantle - Ethan Stanley (Box Hill Hawks)

9. Essendon - Jaiden Hunter (Perth)

10. Western Bulldogs - Caleb Poulter (Footscray)