Drew is one of five Rebels selected to attend October’s National Draft Combine and is preparing for the TAC Cup finals series following the side’s top four finish.

The 188cm midfielder has averaged 23 possessions and seven tackles across his 13 TAC Cup matches – named in the Rebels best on 12 occasions.

His ability to win the ball on the inside and breakaway into space is a feature of the smooth-moving midfielder’s game.

Versatility is a huge part of modern football and Drew has shown he is no one-trick pony, playing off the half-back line at times as well as being a dangerous option in attack – kicking 10 goals this season.

Drew has worked closely on his fitness base and clean hands around the stoppage throughout 2016 and while his season has been an impressive one he is firmly focused on improving his game and having an equally productive finals campaign beginning on Saturday.

“I’m absolutely pumped (for finals), the boys can’t wait to get in there and give it a crack,” Drew said.

“That’s one of the main reasons you play footy – to try and play finals.

“It was a pretty big surprise (to be selected for the National Draft Combine).

“There’s a lot that can happen between now and then, I’m just taking it one week at a time.”

North Ballarat Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said Drew had benefited from his “enormous” preseason leading into the all-important final year of TAC Cup.

Partington said the inside-midfielder was one of the hardest workers both on and off the field. Doing extensive amounts of training over the summer while he was one of the club’s most proactive players when it came to seeking advice and working with the coaches.

Partington is well aware of the significant step it is from TAC Cup football to the AFL landscape but was confident Drew was the type of player that would catch the eye of recruiters.

“Stepping up from the TAC to the AFL is huge,” Partington said.

“Willem’s personality and the way he works to get the best out of himself gives him a great head-start for hopefully getting into the AFL world.”

Partington spoke volumes of the youngster who has improved a range of areas in his game throughout his time in the Rebels system.

But one of Drew’s biggest strengths is something that can’t be registered on the stat sheet or developed on in the weights room and that’s his ability to thrive on the big moments.

“He’s one of those players you can rely on week in week out to perform to a top level.

“He’s the sort of player that when we have a big game he performs and that’s one thing the AFL clubs are looking for – players that perform under pressure.

“The ability to handle pressure both on and off the ground is a really good trait to have at the next level.”