All The Draft Picks Revealed: Don Takes Huge Gamble As He Drops Spivey For Stanford

Tim Don produced the biggest shock of this year’s Super League Triathlon draft as he cut adrift Taylor Spivey in order to secure Non Stanford.

The SLT Eagles boss, who guided his team to a runaway victory in 2021, chose not to retain a female athlete in the all-new draft format for this year to get himself a first pick and ensure the services of Stanford, who is enjoying an incredible twilight to her last season as a pro with a Commonwealth Games mixed relay silver medal and a European Championship individual gold.

Super League Triathlon 2021 Jersey Womens Race

SLT Rhinos boss Ronnie Schildknecht, who also did not retain a woman, was quick to pounce on Don’s decision, taking Spivey for his team and putting Don under pressure going into Super League’s biggest ever Championship Series, which kicks-off in London on Sunday, September 4.

There were less surprises elsewhere among the big guns, with Sophie Coldwell retained by the Fan Team and Georgia Taylor-Brown and Beth Potter remaining with Bahrain Victorious Scorpions and the SLT Sharks respectively.

In the men’s it was again the Eagles and the Rhinos who chose not to retain. Don’s decision was understandable with Alex Yee missing, and he cashed in by stealing Matt Hauser from Bahrain Victorious, who retained Vincent Luis.

That could be a great piece of business for Don, with Hauser not only likely to win Short Chutes and dominate the swim Discipline Leaderboard, but this year a genuine contender for the title. Schildknecht chose not to retain Marten Van Riel, who will be replaced later this week for the opening events after an injury setback, and instead opted for Vasco Vilaca.

Henri Schoeman’s lack of form after recent injuries saw him drafted tenth, with Chris McCormack picking him up for Bahrain Victorious with the South African also part of that team outside of SLT. Max Stapley was eighth pick in his debut season, which was also later than expected but great news for the Fan Team SLT Cheetahs who likely highly competitive this season, with Don desperate to secure Jamie Riddle.