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BELLARINE’S NUMBER ONE NEWSPAPER
29 MAY - 11 JUNE, 2026
FREE FORTNIGHTLY
Kye of the Tiger By Justin Flynn A decision to lay off the booze and work harder paid off for Kye Annand when he was selected by Richmond in Tuesday night’s AFL midseason rookie draft. The 22-year-old ruck/defender played junior and senior footy at Ocean Grove before progressing to Geelong’s VFL side where he has impressed in a new role in defence. “I’ve been off the drink and alcohol and that sort of thing for a while now just to really knuckle down on it and obviously had a good start to the year and here we are,” Annand told the Voice. “Late last year just knuckled down on the little things, more of the hydration, nutrition, recovery and then had a decent end to last year.” Annand said Geelong VFL coach Mark Corrigan and operations manager Aaron Black suggested a move to the defensive end of the ground where he has thrived. “I had a good chat with Blacky (Black) and Harry (Corrigan) and they just trusted me and believed me so much,” he said. “They said they reckon they see AFL traits in me. Last year I was playing forward/ruck for the Cats and then Harry the coach said there’s an opportunity down there for me. “They thought they could see something there for me to go and do and I went down there and loved it ever since.” Years spent running around for Ocean Grove have paid off and Annand said the club had played a major role in making it onto an AFL list. He said there is every chance the Grubbers can produce more AFL players. “There’s many more to come out of that system and are able to make it onto a list,” he said. “They run a good program down there.” There is no time to rest with Richmond’s AFL and VFL side playing in Sydney this weekend. Annand will be on a fl ight on Friday regardless of where he is picked. Tigers’ coach Adem Yze was the fi rst to speak to Annand after his name was read out at pick No 2. “He just gave me a call and just said, ‘welcome on board, rapt to have you’ and that sort of thing,” he said.
Kye Annand marks on a lead. (Ivan Kemp) 494915_22
“It was good to have a chat with him.” Annand gathered with family on draft night to watch the coverage on the AFL’s website, but said he was given no indication by Richmond that he would be selected.
“It was a busy night, but it was a good one,” he said. “I spoke to them (Richmond) yesterday (Monday 25 May) during the day and they just said, ‘mate, we’re going to keep it a
surprise if it is you’ so I was happy with that. “I was happy to sort of fi nd out on the night but I had family that wanted to know a little bit sooner.”
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