Excitement machine Ned McHenry has a bit of Hayden Ballantyne about him

Adelaide could have a new cult figure: Ned McHenry is such a bundle of excitement and enthusiasm that list manager Justin Reid says Crows fans will quickly fall in love with him.

Adelaide’s pick 16 pick Ned Mchenry with Brett Burton. Picture: AAP

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Adelaide could have a new cult figure. Ned McHenry is such a bundle of excitement and enthusiasm that list manager Justin Reid says Crows fans will quickly fall in love with him.

“He’ll bring some real character to the club,’’ Reid said.

“He’s a great personality and will bring some real energy to the changerooms. His teammates and staff around the football club are going to love having him around the place.’’

McHenry, 18 and a tough, competitive small forward/midfielder from Victorian TAC Cup side Geelong Falcons, is such a bundle of energy that he has been compared to Fremantle small forward Hayden Ballantyne.

He has a great sense of humour and work ethic.

“I’m not the biggest guy yet (178cm, 71kg) but I try to be aggressive in the contest and once I put on a bit more size that will advance a bit,’’ McHenry said after being at pick 16 by Adelaide.

Ned McHenry of the Crows. Picture: Adam Trafford/Getty Images

“I like to play with great intensity and I’m pretty consistent with my training in that regard.

“I try to train those good habits so then it comes naturally and translates into my game.’’

While McHenry has some Ballantyne traits he models his style on Crows star vice-captain Rory Sloane.

“It’s always tough to model your game on one person but I do love the way Rory Sloane goes about it,’’ he said.

“I love the way he tackles and his intent around the contest, so I look forward to meeting him.

“I’ll just go up to him and say, ‘hi, Sloaney’’.

Another tackling machine 🔥 #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/QpGYBWHFqv

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) November 22, 2018

Renowned for pounding the pavement in his spare time in Forrest Gump fashion, McHenry said he expects to start his AFL career as a small forward before transitioning into the midfield.

He is not afraid to take the game on and he tested well at the AFL Draft Combine for speed and endurance.

Adelaide’s other first-round pick, Tasmanian Chayce Jones, taken at No. 9, is a taller midfielder/utility who also has a strong attack on the body and ball.

He also is quick.

“It’s surreal to be picked up by Adelaide,’’ he said.

Jones was second in the 2km time trial at the Draft Combine, finishing just one second behind Norwood’s Jacob Kennerley in 6:04.

He said he expects to start at half-back with the Crows before moving into the midfield.

Reid described the two selections as “a great win for us’’.

“It’s a really positive story for us getting these two quality kids in who we think are not only great talents and elite runners but quality people off the field too,’’ he said.