At the AFL Draft in Adelaide on Tuesday, Temora’s Jack Irvine knows that he will need to have a bit of luck go his way if he is to get picked by an AFL club.
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Luck is not something which he has had a lot of this season. In round one of the TAC Cup under 18 competition, the 188cm utility was struck down with a debiliating nine-month Anterior Cruciate Ligament inury which effectively ruined his season.
It meant that he missed the all-important national under 18 championships and the only reason that he has come into draft calculations is through his efforts in the national under 16 championships.
Described as an attacking left footer in the mould of Hawthorn’s Grant Birchall, Irvine has had a few clubs that have been in touch with him, but prefers to keep them close to his chest.
The year 12 Temora High School student hopes he can follow in the footsteps of Jake Barrett and Luke Breust to become youngsters from the town to make it into the elite football system.
Like many youngsters who grow up in the country, Irvine has already played against men, debuting in the Temora seniors as a 15-year-old in 2013.
He and his family won’t be holding their breath on Tuesday evening, but they will be watching the draft closely from home in the event that his name does get called out meaning he would have to move quickly.
If he doesn’t get picked up on Tuesday or at the pre-season and rookie draft on December 4, then Jack will remain in Temora for the next 12 months going around again with the NSW/ACT Rams as well as being involved with the GWS Giants Academy which has already added considerable size and strength to his frame.
At present he is moving quite freely and is keen to recover his endurance running which he sees as one of his greatest assets. He has started to do some running and kicking to go alongside his weights, plyometrics, riding and swimming program and all he needs now is a little turn of luck.