AFL Players
We have seen how the development opportunities offered by both Junior and Senior football has resulted in some great memories for players, parents and families. This is highlighted by Diamond Creek players that have gone on to make their mark at the highest level in the AFL (formerly VFL). We are sure there are many current and future DCJFC players that aspire for the AFL.
Diamond Creek Junior Football Club
Adelaide Football Club 2018- (** games
Darcy Macpherson (Diamond Creek)
The son of former Footscray player Steve Macpherson, Darcy was selected by the Gold Coast Suns with pick No.21 in the 2015 Rookie Draft.
He was promoted to the Suns senior list early in the 2016 season and made his debut against Melbourne in Round 7.
After impressing at senior level, a knee injury sustained in Round 9 sidelined Macpherson for much of his debut season.
Macpherson played eight AFL games in 2017 and also claimed the Suns’ NEAFL Player of the Year award.
He added another five matches in 2018, however his season was interrupted by a broken leg sustained early in the season.
Lachlan Murphy (Diamond Creek)
Murphy was selected by Adelaide with pick No. 38 in the 2017 AFL Rookie Draft.
A star junior footballer at Diamond Creek, Murphy represented the league at under-13, under-14 and under-15 level.
He was overlooked in the 2016 draft despite a standout season in the TAC Cup for the Northern Knights, where he claimed the club’s best and fairest.
He put the disappointment aside and made the move to Adelaide in the hunt of keeping his AFL dream alive.
The decision paid off, with Murphy rewarded after an impressive year for the Crows – where he played 18 SANFL and won the Dean Bailey Award as the club’s most dedicated development player.
Murphy played 11 AFL matches in 2018 and proved handy near goal, finishing with 12 majors, which included a three-goal haul in the Round 17 win over Geelong.
Bailey Laurie (Diamond Creek)
Laurie began his football journey with Diamond Creek Junior Football Club, before moving to Beverley Hills JFC and progressing through to the Oakleigh Chargers.
Laurie was drafted by the Melbourne Football Club with Pick 22 in the 2020 AFL National Draft.
The classy small forward has been praised for his outstanding game sense and clean skills.
He also possesses great leg speed and can also play on a wing. He represented Vic Metro at the AFL Under-16 Championships in 2018 and impressed as a first-year player in seven NAB League matches for the Chargers last year.