Central District to encourage but not pressure Josh Glenn to consider AFL offers

CENTRAL District coach Roy Laird says the club is encouraging but not pressuring talented teenager Josh Glenn to attend October's AFL draft screening.

CENTRAL District coach Roy Laird says the club is encouraging but not pressuring precociously talented teenager Josh Glenn to attend October's AFL draft screening.

Glenn has captured the attention of several AFL clubs with his clean disposal and dash this season, but has so far declined offers to speak to any of them and is yet to commit to the screening.

Laird said he had spoken to Glenn earlier in the season and encouraged him to give himself every opportunity to play at the highest level.

But the seven-time premiership mentor said he was mindful of the pressures facing young players and would not raise the AFL issue again with Glenn this season.

"We as a club are really keen on seeing blokes flourish and hopefully go and play AFL football if they are good enough,'' Laird said.

"However, in today's game, there is all sorts of pressure on them and we don't intend on adding to that pressure internally within our football club.

"I spoke to him around the time of the (National) under-18 (Championships).

"We encouraged him that there was clearly AFL interest and encouraged him to give himself every opportunity."

Glenn's potential reluctance to play AFL follows Central District defender Paul Marschall's decision not to nominate for last year's AFL draft.

Marschall is now playing the odd match in the Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association.

Laird said Glenn was a talented player and believed he was capable of playing AFL.

"He's really evasive, hardly anyone can lay a hand on him,'' Laird said.

"He's got an excellent kick and a really good temperament."