The Western Crows have utilised their priority pick ahead of this year’s National Draft to secure the signing of Auckland based New Zealand Representative Declan Crann for the 2019 AFL New Zealand Premiership.
The Crows have used a Priority pick to secure New Zealand’s latest debutant under the ruling of the Retained Player List (RPL) Category 1, stating:
Each Premiership side will be able to retain up to three players that are Auckland based who have represented New Zealand at senior level in the past 12 months (if a Premiership side cannot supply the required amount of representatives from the 2018 season, a Priority Draft Pick will be allocated to rectify this.)
New Zealand regulars Shane Leat and Ty Smith are the remaining two players retained by the Premiership side.
Read more: 2019 AFLNZ Premiership retained players list explained
Shane Leat
Shane Leat has come a long way from his first experience playing AFL for Kelston Boys’ High School.
Now a regular in the Senior New Zealand set up, this speedy midfielder has been a key contributor to the Western Crows over the past three seasons and he will be working hard to get his side back to Premiership glory in 2019.
In 2016, Shane was a winning member of the Inaugural AFL New Zealand Premiership Cup in April, followed later that year with further success captaining his local Auckland club side, the Waitakere Magpies to the AAFL Premiership in an undefeated season.
Ty Smith
Western Crows and New Zealand ruckman is a key retention for the Premiership side in 2019.
The North Shore Tigers ruckman made his debut in the New Zealand side at the 2014 International Cup before making his second appearance at the International Cup in August last year.
His biggest achievement so far came in 2016, where he won the inaugural AFL New Zealand Premiership with the Western Crows followed up by a best on ground performance against the AFL Academy side at QBE Stadium in April.
Ty is a smart footy player and uses his nous to outsmart the opposition to gain an advantage.
Declan Crann
2018 AFL New Zealand U17 Player of the year Declan Crann will join the Western Crows in 2019.
After being drafted by the Central Giants in 2018, Crann had a positive first season in New Zealand’s top level of footy.
The 18 year old won a Premiership with the Central Giants before being selected to make his debut for the senior New Zealand side against the AFL Academy in April this year.
A player full of talent with a strong AFL build, Declan has supreme fitness and was awarded a Rising Star during the 2017 Premiership.
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