EXCITING small forward Jake Neade has earned All Australian for the 2012 AFL national under-18 championships.
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The North Ballarat Rebel and St Patrick’s College student, who represented Northern Territory, was named on the interchange in the elite 22-man squad unveiled yesterday afternoon.
Neade was the sole NT player to make the cut but coach Brendan Toy was named at the helm after winning the division two title.
Rebels regional manager Phil Partington said selection was a great reward for Neade.
“We’re really excited for Jake. He played a fantastic carnival and, when I watched him on Friday, he certainly got Northern Territory into the game with his skill, determination and hard work,” Partington said.
“Jake has developed so much since moving to Ballarat.
“It’s been a good development phase for him – his football has improved and as a person Jake has developed into a good man.”
In a big championship campaign, Neade was awarded the Harrison Medal as this year’s best player in division two.
Neade and fellow Rebel Dom Barry played all five matches for NT this championships that finished with a come-from-behind 24-point win against Tasmania to claim the division two title in Geelong on Thursday.
The pair are also members of the reigning St Patrick’s College MCC-Herald Sun Shield premiership team.
Partington said playing with Barry was a big help to Neade, especially for the championships’ extensive travel that Neade undertook alone last season.
Neade, 18, hails from Elliot in the Northern Territory – halfway between Darwin and Alice Springs – and has boarded at St Pat’s the past three years.
He trained with the Rebels as a 16-year-old but made his TAC Cup debut last season.
Neade is also a level one player with the AIS-AFL Academy.
Partington said Neade’s game had also improved greatly with the Academy.
“It’s important now that Jake finish the TAC Cup season and school year well and continue to put his best foot forward for recruiters,” Partington said.
Division one champion Vic Metro and second-placed South Australia dominated All Australian selections.
Seven Croweaters earned All Australian honours this year with six Vic Metro players also making it into the elite 22-man squad.
