AFL draft: Henry Walsh, Tanner Bruhn have connections to Hampden league

Henry Walsh, son of Cobden's Wayne, and Tanner Bruhn, son of Koroit's Matthew, are hoping to hear their names called on Wednesday night.

Henry, a 201-centimetre ruckman, is the younger brother of Carlton midfielder Sam.

He played an under 18.5 game for Cobden earlier this year and had hoped to represent the Bombers throughout their junior campaign before coronavirus restrictions forced an early end to an-already shortened season.

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Tanner, who also hails from Geelong, is a midfielder expected to be snapped up in the first round.

His father spent time at Koroit in 2000, playing under Jason Mifsud.

Henry, who is working on farms across the south-west, said he was grateful he could follow in his father's footsteps and play a game for Cobden, albeit in the juniors.

His grandparents - Peter 'Plumber' and Margaret Walsh - live a drop punt from the Bombers' home ground.

He remembers being part of the club when his father coached the club.

"You'd go into the rooms after the game and just chill next to dad for a bit," Henry told The Standard.

"Nanna and Plumber are right across from the ground, so that was always good. I'd go back over there and get spoilt after a game of footy."

Henry - a ruck prospect via Geelong Falcons - admitted he was "a little nervous" about the draft.

But his farm work has helped keep his mind occupied. Henry is staying with his grandma Margie Sinnott in Camperdown.

"I did a cert three this year at a farm near Drysdale," he said.

"I finished that and have been contracting for the last month and a bit down here (in the south-west) which has been fun."

Farming will remain a passion for Henry, who also has a younger brother Tommy, if he is drafted into the AFL.

But playing footy at the top level is "a dream I want to achieve".

"It would be a great opportunity to get picked up and play with some greats of the game," he said.

"I'd prefer ruck with a little bit of forward time. It's always a bonus, if you're able to play two positions instead of just the one you're more flexible with an AFL team then."

Mifsud played with Matthew at Koroit in 2000 and said his son Tanner had similar attributes.

"If you put them side by side, you'd pick up pretty quickly father-son," he told The Standard.

Mifsud said Matthew made a significant impact at the Saints during his brief stint - he detoured to Victoria Park on his way home to Geelong from South Australia.

"Through relationships we ended up having a series of discussions and fortunately for us, he agreed to play for Koroit in the second half of 2000," he said.

"He was a brilliant acquisition, terrific person and just set the standards.

"I have always said the best player I ever played with in the Hampden league was Billy Couch at Warrnambool. In terms of midfielders, I'd have him in the same category as Billy.

"Even though we lost the 2000 grand final to Camperdown by 40-odd points, Matty had 45 possessions and won the medal for best on ground which spoke of his ability."

Mifsud said he'd watched game footage of Tanner and could see why he was highly touted.

"Any player that goes in the first round of the draft has some natural ability but from what I understand Tanner has also got a really level head which would come from his dad," he said.

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