AFL Draft 2014: Paul Ahern keen to work on consistency, with recruiters unsure of his place in draft order

PICK ME: WHEN Paul Ahern heats up, he catches fire. When he cools, he can turn ice cold. So AFL recruiters are unsure where he sits in the order.

TAC cup footballer Calder Cannons midfielder Paul Ahern is being widely tipped as a first-round selection in this year's AFL draft. Photographed at his Oak Park home Picture: Mark Wilson

PAUL Ahern’s AFL teammates should do their best to bring him to life early in games next year.

When Ahern heats up, he catches fire. When he cools, he can turn ice cold.

Eight days from the draft, recruiters are largely unsure where the smooth-moving midfielder sits in the order.

MEET AHERN AND SEE HIM IN ACTION IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

Similar to likely No. 1 pick Christian Petracca, Ahern brings the dazzle to this year’s pool and would add another dimension to any club.

PICK ME: EXCLUSIVE VIDEO OF THE HOTTEST DRAFT PROSPECTS

“I reckon he can turn a game in 5-10 minutes,” Calder talent manager Ian Kyte said.

“Some of the stuff he does reminds you of Chris Judd as a 16 or 17-year-old. He hits the ground and you don’t know which way he’s going. He’s got an amazing sidestep.

Paul Ahern impressed for Vic Metro in 2014. Picture: Colleen Petch

“And he tends to run as fast as he needs to. He’s got elite pace, elite endurance and an elite kick — and you don’t need much more than that to be a good AFL player.”

The talented right-footer admitted inconsistency plagued him but Kyte highlighted his second half in the TAC Cup grand final.

Ahern finished with three contested marks, a goal and 25 possessions and, impressively, improved after copping a heavy knock to the head.

“He doesn’t need big numbers to cut you apart and be ­really damaging,” one recruiter said. “When he’s on, he can be awesome.”

The All-Australian worked with a tackling specialist coach this year, lifting his tackle average of 1.4 in his first nine TAC Cup games to 2.7 in the last six.

Paul Ahern is proud of his indigenous heritage. Picture: Mark Wilson

“Due to my size my tackling was a bit poor,” Ahern said.

“I set myself goals every week to get, say, two tackles a quarter and most weeks I probably didn’t get that but it’s good to have a goal set.”

Ahern, who is indigenous through his mother and grandmother, said he visited his tribe in Orbost, about 370km east of Melbourne, as often as he can.

“I really like to just catch up with all the extended family down there, so I’m really proud to be indigenous,” he said.

“Being indigenous gives you that sense of pride and also that sense of belonging within the indigenous community.”

PAUL AHERN

AGE: 18

HEIGHT: 181cm

WEIGHT: 77kg

CLUB: Calder Cannons

POSITION: Midfield/half-forward

SUPERCOACH AVG: 98 points

PLAYS LIKE: Daniel Wells

PREDICTED DRAFT RANGE: 4-17

IN THE MIX: GWS (4/6/7), Collingwood (5), Gold Coast (8/15), Essendon (17)

Originally published as AFL Draft 2014: Paul Ahern keen to work on consistency, with recruiters unsure of his place in draft order