Canberra Demons coach backs quartet to return to AFL draft next year

Canberra Demons coach Kade Klemke has backed his four players who missed out at the AFL national and rookie drafts this week to bounce back next year.

Mitch Maguire, Angus Baker, Guy Richardson and Tom Highmore were overlooked in Melbourne but Klemke said time is one their side.

It was a particularly tough break for Maguire and Baker who have spent the past two weeks training with the Sydney Swans.

"They've signed with the Demons for next year so we would have liked to see them get drafted because that's our aim and that's unfortunate but I think their window isn't closed," Klemke said.

"Baker only just came back from an ACL and his footy will only get better and they're all still young, guys get drafted at 23 and 24 these days.

"They just need to keep going the way they're going who knows can happen if they keep improving. The fact people are looking at them and getting a chance to train with the Swans they know what it's going to take to go to that level.

"Not many get that opportunity they enjoyed that and hopefully they have another big year for us and put their names up again next year."