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[quote] Roo draftees ready to play10:04:04 AM Tue 7 December, 2004 Samantha Lane Sportal Kangaroos draftees Ben Schwarze and Daniel Pratt have both made it to the Kangaroos in round about ways, but are hoping that it's all straight forward from here. At 21, they're relatively senior pick-ups from the national draft, where boys four years their junior are fought for and fawned over. But in selecting Schwarze and Pratt with picks 68 and 74 at the National Bank's AFL Draft, Kangas coach Dean Laidley believes he has two ready-made players that could be instant additions to the Roos' weekly senior line-up. Pratt is hoping for a case of third time lucky. A Kangaroo from 2000, he was cut by Laidley when he took over from Denis Pagan at Arden Street in 2003 and sent off to Brisbane, where he was a rookie listed player with the Lions. He played three senior matches with the Lions this year, but was discarded at season's end. "He's much more mature, physically and mentally; he's ready to play," Laidley said. "I would've thought he would've played a fair bit of senior football this year for Brisbane had it not been for the Scott boys (Brad and Chris). And I think with the youth of our group and where we're at he's got a big strong body, he's pretty hard at the footy, and that's our expectation of him.” For Pratt, the re-call from Laidley came as a welcome surprise. "I only had myself to blame really (for being cut initially), but it's good to be back.” “I think I was just a bit immature. I had a big body when I was here last time, but I didn't know how to use it properly and I don't think I knew what being at a football club was all about. But I went to Brisbane for two years and that was great for me.” “It was a bit surprising, because he (Dean) delisted me. Dean's said he would give me another go, so I must have done something right over the last two years and shown some improvement for him to want me back.” And Pratt now feels like a more mature person generally. “I said to Leigh Brown the other day, I felt older than a lot of the boys here. I guess I'm a bit bigger than most of the boys. But it's a really young group, so I guess there'll be so many opportunities this year but there's going to be so many guys going for positions. So hopefully I'll get the chance, and I think if I do the right thing I will get the chance.” Schwarze meanwhile, was a standout utility for the Kangaroos' affiliated VFL club Port Melbourne this year. Fortunately he caught Laidley's eye before missing the Borough's finals campaign due to injury. “I've watched him pretty much every game. His running ability off half-back or off a wing and his ball use is something we're looking for,” Laidley said. “We've actually got quite a few guys who are under 180 centimetres. And we have a fair amount of height in our squad, but where we were lacking was 180-190 centimetres. We've covered that now with three of the four draftees, Jesse Smith being the other one, because they can all run, they're good at ground level and they can mark the ball.” The brother of St Kilda's Troy, Schwarze is grateful for the opportunity and is determined to make the most of it. "A lot of players get drafted out of the under-18s competition and I'm just glad I can be a 21-year-old and get drafted out of the VFL." "Not a lot of blokes (have the chance). I think it was only four that got drafted out of the VFL this year,” he said. [/quote]