Sri Lankan youngster set for draft

As the Australian Football League (AFL) plans its expansion into Sydney, meet the city’s schoolboy putting the Sherrin in Sri Lanka.

Pennant Hills teenager Ranga Ediriwickrama is closing in on becoming the first AFL player of Sri Lankan descent, named yesterday in the 22-man All-Australian under-18s team.

And Ediriwickrama, on scholarship with premiers Geelong, has already tried to put nervous AFL commentators at ease.

“My mates call me Reggie,’’ the 17-year-old said, laughing. Ediriwickrama has the afro, the skills and syllables in his surname to be a potential cult hero. Born to Sri Lankan parents in Griffith, NSW, Ediriwickrama moved to Sydney when he was three and took up Australian rules at 12.

But he’s tried to spread the game to Sri Lanka, taking a footy along on family trips for the past two years. “I was trying to teach my cousins,” Ediriwickrama said.

“My family (in Sri Lanka) is really supportive, but I don’t think they really understand the sport. It’s different in the Sri Lankan community, someone playing AFL and not cricket.”

Completing year 12 at Cherrybrook Technology High School, Ediriwickrama this year captained the NSW-ACT Rams to fourth at the AFL under-18 championships.

His scholarship at Geelong has also enabled him to train with the club during school holidays.

Geelong have priority to draft Ediriwickrama for next season and Rams coach Danny Stevens said he would be shocked if the Cats passed. He said: “It might take 12 months, it might take 24 months, but I’m sure Ranga will find himself on an AFL list.’’

DAILY TELEGRAPH