After Melbourne ended St Kilda’s season in the second week of the 1998 finals, an injection of talent was needed to avoid going on the slide. Heading into the draft, Saints recruiters could never imagine they would secure two 200+ game champions.
In the second of a special eight-part series, we take a look at the year we landed ‘Lenny’ and ‘Bakes’ – 1998 AFL Draft
Pick 11 – Lenny Hayes, NSW-ACT Rams NSW
A bloodline of footballers spurred Lenny Hayes' interest to play AFL, despite living in the rugby league heartland of Sydney. Playing for Pennant Hills and captaining the NSW-ACT Rams in 1998, there were knocks on Hayes’ leg speed. St Kilda were both shocked when he was available at their pick, given there was an assumption Sydney were going to draft the local. Missing out on Hayes, the Swans were questioned for not taking the Sydneysider and tried to orchestrate a trade 12 months later. A blessing, with Hayes playing 297 games and is regarded as one of St Kilda’s most decorated and popular midfielder.
Pick 22 – James Begley, Sturt SA
Drafted with the pick received for trading Matthew Lappin to the Blues, Begley was drafted without playing a senior game for Sturt. Concentrating on cricket as a youngster, the winger/half back turned his attention to footy by mid-teens, moving quickly through the Sturt junior sides. Highly regarded within the Saints, Begley injured his shoulder into game one of his career and never recovered. Proving to be a case of “what if”, shoulder injuries limited the winger to just 36 games in three and a subsequent move to Adelaide in 2002.
Pick 27 – Steven Baker, Geelong Falcons VIC
Similar to Begley, Baker’s interest in footy deviated before coming round full circle. Before making the cut at Geelong Falcons, the energetic tagger originally played with his brother at South Colac. With AFL way off the radar, Baker was asked to tag a TAC Cup opponent averaging 30 disposals. Keeping him quiet, it was here Saints recruiter John Beveridge saw something in him and picked up the 179cm hard nut. In 203 games, Baker became one of St Kilda’s most reliable, winning a Trevor Barker Award in 2005 and nullifying some of the game’s great midfielders.
Pick 43 – Damien Ryan, Richmond VIC
Originally taken at pick 11 in 1994 by Richmond, Ryan played 30 games in three years at Punt Road. Nominating for the draft in 1998, St Kilda gave him a second life at pick 43. Season one as a Saint was productive, playing 20 games but his career petered out from there, adding just 10 more games in two years to his tally.
Pick 53 – Troy Schwarze, Prahran Dragons VIC
It took a while for Troy Schwarze to find his groove at AFL level, drafted young from Prahran U/18s. Schwarze nailed down a position in the backline, playing 20 games in 2002 as his kicking became a valuable asset. In a career spanning seven years, the 190cm defender will forever be remembered for his game-winning goal from outside 50 against Brisbane in 2004. Trialled as a forward in 2006, Schwarze found success before losing his spot through a hamstring injury.
Pick 70 – Kurt Heazlewood, Tassie Mariners TAS
Pick 81 – Jacob Anstey, Carlton VIC
