Tenacious Tiger Alex Neal-Bullen is made of the right stuff as he prepares for the AFL Draft

WHEN it comes to football, Alex Neal-Bullen is like a dog with a bone.

3/11/14 - Glenelg footballer and AFL draft target Alex Neal-Bullen at Glenelg today - photo Naomi Jellicoe

WHEN it comes to football, Alex Neal-Bullen is like a dog with a bone.

He is relentless and the harder and tougher it gets in tight, the more he likes it.

“I’m really competitive and don’t like to lose the ball in stoppages. I’ll do anything I can to win it and get it out to my running teammates,’’ he said.

The Glenelg midfielder’s comments leave AFL clubs in no doubt what they will be getting if they select him at this year’s national draft.

There are no bells and whistles with the 18-year-old.

Neal-Bullen grew up idolising just-retired St Kilda champion Lenny Hayes and models his game on him.

His favourite players are Adelaide’s Rory Sloane and Fremantle’s Lachie Neale, a former Glenelg product.

Both are renowned for their insatiable appetite to win the football in close.

“I like to think of myself as a similar hardworking player to them,’’ said Neal-Bullen.

“I’m not overly blessed with pace but I love being competitive and always try to put the team before myself and bring other players into the game.’’

Neal-Bullen is the absolute definition of a hard-nosed, inside midfielder.

Recognised as a super-professional like his great mate and former Tigers teammate Billy Stretch, who is headed to Melbourne as a father-son pick, Neal-Bullen won more clearances than any other player at this year’s national under-18 championships, averaging five a game.

Alex Neal-Bullen in action for Sacred Heart College.

This is despite not being as big-bodied or as highly touted as top-five draft prospects, Victorians Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw.

“You know what you are going to get with Alex,’’ Glenelg talent manager Brenton Hole said.

“He’s just got such a consistent approach at the footy. He’s got a machine-like workrate, great awareness in the packs, terrific hands and is a clearance king.

“He’s got no fear and a really strong physical presence. What he lacks in pace he makes up with quickness of mind.

“And he’s just a ripper kid.’’

Unlucky not to make this year’s All-Australian under-18 team, Neal-Bullen heads into the draft with the advantage of having already played league football.

He debuted in Round 1 and played nine league games for the Tigers, starring in their upset win against grand finalist Port Adelaide in Round 18.

“That helped me mature quite a bit,’’ Neal-Bullen said of his league experience, where he played much of his football at half-back.

“Playing against bigger bodies helped me learn a lot about myself and my game and I’m definitely better prepared for the AFL because of it.’’

Like most inside midfielders, Neal-Bullen, who missed nearly a season of football as a 16-year-old with a navicular foot fracture, is not lightning quick.

But, due to an athletics background, he has great endurance, which allows him to get to contest after contest.

He finished third in the 3km time trial at the AFL Draft Combine and equal-sixth in the beep test.

“Alex is just one of those kids who does everything right,’’ Glenelg coach Nick Stevens said.

“He acts like a 25-year-old in the AFL with his due diligence, which is a credit to him, and he deserves to be drafted.’’

ROAD TO THE DRAFT

ALEX NEAL-BULLEN

Club: Glenelg

Age: 18

Height: 182cm

Weight: 77kg

Position: Midfielder.

Draft verdict: 21-40.

SAY WHAT: “He’s just a ripper. (Glenelg coach) Nick Stevens talks about him as being a Lenny Hayes type because of his strength at the body, clearance ability and consistency.’’ - Glenelg talent manager Brenton Hole.