1 Sam Docherty

Choose another player Adcock, Jed - [7] Banfield, Todd - [18] Bartlett, Callum - [13] Beams, Claye - [17] Bewick, Rohan - [43] Black, Simon - [20] Brown, Jonathan - [16] Buchanan, Amon - [33] Cornelius, Aaron - [44] Crisp, Jack - [47] Docherty, Sam - [1] Drummond, Josh - [39] Golby, Mitchell - [41] Green, Joshua - [6] Hanley, Pearce - [11] Harwood, Ryan - [2] Hawksley, James - [12] Hudson, Ben - [22] Karnezis, Patrick - [28] Lester, Ryan - [35] Leuenberger, Matthew - [23] Lisle, Jordan - [19] Longer, Billy - [5] Maguire, Matt - [36] McGrath, Ashley - [9] McKeever, Niall - [40] Merrett, Daniel - [21] O'Brien, Jesse - [34] Patfull, Joel - [24] Polec, Jared - [4] Polkinghorne, James - [31] Raines, Andrew - [29] Redden, Jack - [30] Retzlaff, Bryce - [8] Rich, Daniel - [10] Rockliff, Tom - [38] Sheldon, Sam - [3] Staker, Brent - [14] Stiller, Cheynee - [32] Wearden, Patrick - [37] Yeo, Elliot - [26] Zorko, Dayne - [15]

Introduction
Sam Docherty is a rebounding defender who reads the play extremely well and uses the ball efficiently, especially by foot. Largely recognised for his torpedo-like right boot, he was a late inclusion into the Victorian Country team for the National U18 Championships, but went on to win best-on-ground honours against Western Australia.

Background
• From the relatively untapped AFL recruiting area of Phillip Island in Victoria, Sam Docherty started playing local senior football as a 15 year-old.

• His 2010 pre-season was hampered after he strained the quadratus lumberum muscle in his back, and as a result he missed selection in Gippsland Power's TAC Cup squad as an underage player.

• He went on to represent the Power in 2011, and quickly became a star playing across half-back. He averaged more than 22 disposals per game (at 71.8% efficiency), and ranked second in the entire competition in mark from opposition kicks and rebound 50s.

• His style of play was likened somewhat to Collingwood's Heath Shaw, Carlton's Chris Yarran and even the Lions' own Jed Adcock.

• It therefore came as no surprise that he was selected in the backline of the 2011 TAC Cup Team of the Year. He also received the Gippsland Power's Most Disciplined Player and Trainer's Award.

• Despite being selected in Victoria Country's initial squad, Docherty missed selection in the opening games of the 2011 AFL National Championships. But he earned a late call-up in time for Victoria Country's match against Western Australia, and seized the opportunity with a best-on-ground performance.

• A late-season hip injury forced him to miss the final matches of the TAC Cup season, and meant he could not participate in the majority of fitness tests at the 2011 AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium.

• Yet Sam's supreme skills had him at the forefront of every AFL recruiters' mind, and he was ultimately snapped up by the Lions with their second selection (Pick No.12 overall) at the 2011 AFL National Draft.

What Gippsland Power Coach Adam Dovvie says...

"Sam has been a great story this year. He plays the game at a really good speed; although he doesn't test the quickest, he plays the game quicker than most."

"He's got a competitive streak in him and is a great kid. He is a terrific handballer and a strong mark for his size. Can play on both smalls and tails and doesn't have too many weaknesses."

What AFL National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan says...

"From Phillip Island FC, Docherty was best-on-ground in Victoria Couuntry's U18 championship game against WA."

"He reads the play well and dashes from defence. Is a good kick under pressure."

What the Herald Sun's Jay Clark says...

"It’s hard to find a Draft hopeful with more damaging footskills than Sam Docherty."

"This man’s right foot is an absolute rocket launcher off half back. But he’s not a one-trick pony, he is an excellent reader of the play and is defensively very disciplined."

What afl.com.au's Jason Phelan says...

"Docherty missed out on the initial Vicatori Country squad, but the creative half-back flanker overcame that disappointment to force his way back in with a string of excellent performances for the Gippsland Power."

"He made the most of his opportunity when he was brought in for the fourth game of the carnival with an eye-catching display across half-back against WA at Skilled Stadium."

"He often handled the kick-ins for Gippsland, thanks to his ability to find a target, and his kicking under pressure is a feature of his game."

"He's strong overhead and knows when to go at the ball or throw a block to create space for a teammate."

2011 TAC Cup Statistics
Avg disposals: 22.1
Avg contested possessions: 7.8
Avg handball receives: 7.8
Disposal efficiency: 71.8%
Avg marks: 4.9
Avg tackles: 3.4