NAMED: North Ballarat Rebels’ Jake Neade has been invited to the national AFL draft combine.
JAKE Neade is the first North Ballarat Rebel invited to the national AFL draft combine.
Neade, 18, will be among about 120 youngsters to attend what was once known as draft camp at Etihad Stadium on October 2-5.
The Northern Territory representative and All-Australian in this year’s national under-18 championships has been named in the first group of players invited – small defenders, small midfielders and small forwards.
They feature players no taller than 180cm.
Six more groups – medium midfielders, medium defenders, medium forwards, tall defenders, tall forwards and ruckmen – will be released over the next six weeks.
Neade’s Rebels teammate Nick Rippon will also get an opportunity to impress AFL club recruiting scouts.
He is in the small defenders, small midfielders and small forwards invited to the state level draft combine.
The profile of Jake Neade on afl.com.au: “Pocket rocket midfielder/forward who attacks the ball aggressively and tackles strongly. Has terrific speed and endurance and is very creative in setting up the play. Had an outstanding AFL under-18 championships averaging 18 disposals and 3.6 tackles in winning the Harrison Medal (division two best and fairest) and All-Australian honours.”
Rippon, 18, from East Ballarat, played with Vic Country in the national titles.
Three years ago he was named in the Victorian under-15 schoolboys all-star team.
The national draft will take place on the Gold Coast on November 22.