World Footy News

NEW Zealand-raised forward Khan Haretuku may be earmarked to be one of the most sought-after mature-age prospects heading into this year's AFL draft. Already this year he has represented New Zealand against the AIS-AFL Academy at Wellington Stadium and was selected in the VFL state team.

Mature age players have continued to fill gaps and become key players in recent times, notably James Podsiadly at Geelong, Stewart Crameri and Michael Hibberd at Essendon, Michael Barlow at Fremantle and even Ian Callinan at Adelaide.

Haretuku, who was delisted from St Kilda as a 19-year-old after initially being recruited as a NSW Scholarship holder, has become a more accomplished player in the VFL since. It is believed Carlton, Melbourne, Greater Western Sydney, Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast are among those that have him high on the pecking order for mature-age prospects. If that is the case, he would be well on the way to proving former coach Ross Lyon wrong in returning to the AFL ranks, with several clubs already circling the talented 22 year old.

Haretuku, who has kicked 29 goals this season, has developed into one of the VFL's finest forwards after three years on Frankston's list. This has been the year that he has grown the most and Dolphins coach Simon Goosey believes he is a near certainty to be redrafted at the end of the season.

At 199 centimetres and 101 kilograms, he believes he is much more physically and mentally prepared for a second crack at an AFL career and can be considered a late bloomer given he didn't start playing football until he was 16 after spending his childhood playing rugby union

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/nz-forward-aims-to-silence-doubters-20120713-221ie.html#ixzz212dvUmb1

http://www.footballnation.com.au/latest-news/haretuku-is-one-to-watch/