AFL draft 2020: Get to know the young guns on your club’s radar

His name is Reef and his style’s a little retro, but there is nothing old-fashioned about his game. Here’s a little sunshine for upset Pie fans.

Collingwood’s latest Next Generation Academy star likes to go op shopping.

A Vinnies or Savers in Brunswick might not be where you’d expect to see an 18-year-old from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs who was to captain Scotch College’s football team this year.

But for Reef McInnes, it is a favourite pastime.

“That’s something I’m pretty passionate about,” McInnes said.

“It’s something different but I love getting out of the house and going down to Brunswick or somewhere and looking through a lot of shops and the retro stores and eating different food down there and having a good day out.

“I usually do get some second-hand clothes and CDs, bags, that sort of thing. Stuff that is modern retro style.”

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Reef McInnes could be on his way to the Magpies.

There is nothing retro about McInnes’ style on the football field, which is very much a modern intercepting defender.

An Essendon supporter growing up, the Oakleigh Chargers backman has closely watched the development of Jordan Ridley over the past two years and recently spoke with the Bombers’ 2020 best-and-fairest.

“I love watching him and trying to take some tricks and tips out of his book,” McInnes said.

“I had a chat to him as well over the phone and it was just awesome to be able to talk to him about his footy and his development through Oakleigh and his role as a backman.”

McInnes has spent most his underage football playing down back, but also has another string to his bow with a proven ability to play as a 193cm big-bodied midfielder.

In three games for the Chargers mid-season last year, McInnes averaged 27 disposals, five clearances, seven score involvements, 138 ranking points and kicked two goals in an on-ball role.

“That really opened my eyes up to playing in a different position,” McInnes said.

“I think the midfield is my most ideal position that I’d like to be in. It’s just so much fun and there’s a lot of freedom to it.”

Reef McInnes has been picking up tips from a star Bomber. Picture: Getty Images

McInnes always competed in athletics at school, but even he was surprised to record the fasted 20m sprint time of any Victorian at the draft combine, with a time of 2.779 seconds.

Given that pace and versatility — as well as clean hands and strong marking ability — opposition recruiters have little doubt the Magpies will snap up their Academy star in December’s national draft.

McInnes has been part of the Collingwood program since under-15s, qualifying for the NGA given his mother Melody was born in the Philippines.

There have been no commitments made by the Magpies just yet as far as the draft is concerned, but McInnes has a slight concern about convincing his father Adam to change teams to an arch rival should he end up at Olympic Park.

“It might take some convincing for dad because he’s a very passionate Essendon supporter,” McInnes said.

“My grandpa (Noel) even used to be a player sponsor for Bomber Thompson.”

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Originally published as AFL draft 2020: Get to know the young guns on your club’s radar