COUNTRY Victorian talent was in high demand at last week's AFL national draft.
Sixteen young footy stars from regional TAC Cup clubs were signed to AFL club lists at the draft - including four players inside the top 10.
Bendigo onballer Dustin Martin was the first country kid to be snapped up when he was selected by Richmond at pick three.
Cobden duo Ben Cunnington (pick five) and Gary Rohan (pick six) were taken by North Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
Tall forward John Butcher, from Maffra, who has packed his bags for Port Adelaide, was pick eight.
Lucknow midfielder Koby Stevens, touted as a likely first-round draft pick, was eventually snapped up by West Coast, at pick 23.
Geelong Falcons was the best represented regional TAC Cup team, with five players drafted.
Along with Cunnington and Rohan, the Falcons also produced draftees Jasper McMillan-Pittard (pick 16, Port Adelaide), Callum Bartlett (27, Brisbane Lions) and Allen Christensen (40, Geelong).
Gippsland Power, Murray Bushrangers and North Ballarat Rebels each had three players drafted.
But the wait continues for country footy hopefuls overlooked last week.
Geelong Falcons Joe Dare and Mitch Fisher, Gippsland Power's Jack Weston and North Ballarat Rebel Andrew Hooper will be among the leading contenders in the AFL's pre-season and rookie drafts, to be held next month.
