AFL draft 2015: Oleg Markov aims to jump into contention

OLEG Markov was born to jump. He is the son of world champion pole vaulter Dmitri Markov, but found his calling playing footy at primary school.

1/8/14 Dmitri Markov with his son Oleg at Santos Stadium, Mile End. The son of former world champion pole vaulter Dmitri Markov is being touted as an AFL draft prospect and has been invited to this year's AFL draft combine.

OLEG Markov was born to jump.

He is the son of world champion pole vaulter Dmitri Markov and spent much of his childhood by his dad’s side as he took on the world on the track and field circuit.

But it was in the schoolyard at Stradbroke Primary where Markov found his calling — football.

“It started off playing marks-up at school and I used to jump on peoples’ backs for fun and noticed I could jump higher than anyone else,’’ said Markov.

“I then watched (Brisbane’s) Jason Akermanis and (Melbourne’s) Jeff Farmer in one game and they were kicking goals from everywhere and taking hangers and I fell in love with the sport then and there.’’

Fluent in Russian, Markov is one of the rough diamonds of this year’s draft class.

Mentored by his famous dad, Markov is still learning the intricacies of football but his elite fitness, freakish athleticism and rapidly-improving skill set turned heads at the recent AFL draft combine.

Oleg Markov in action for South Australia at the under-18 championships. Picture: Colleen Petch

Markov was the best-performed Croweater, finishing in the top 10 of five tests including being equal-first for goalkicking.

Likening his style of play to high-flying Collingwood forward Jeremy Howe and triple Hawthorn premiership forward Jack Gunston, Markov etched his name in recruiters notebooks with a five-goal haul for the SA under-18s against Vic Metro this year.

He also enjoyed a strong season in the SANFL reserves with the Roosters which culminated in a losing grand final appearance.

“I know I’ve still got plenty of work ahead of me but it’s my dream to play AFL and I’ll leave no stone unturned to achieve it,’’ Markov said.

OLEG MARKOV

North Adelaide

19, 188cm, 76kg, medium forward.

STICKS SAYS:

“Oleg really developed this year. He played with more freedom and has matured as a young man. He has some exceptional physical attributes in terms of his ability to run and leap at a contest and he will develop into a really good footballer.’’ - SANFL high performance manager Brenton Phillips.

Draft range: 50-rookie.

Originally published as AFL draft 2015: Oleg Markov aims to jump into contention