Calder Cannons midfielder Nick O’Kearney makes strong draft case with two stellar TAC Cup campaigns

NICK O’Kearney has presented what should be an ­irresistible case to AFL ­recruiters over the past two years.

Calder Cannons midfielder Nick O'Kearney He's one pf the the top draft fancies from his club. Picture: Ellen Smith

NICK O’Kearney has presented what should be an irresistible case to AFL recruiters over the past two years.

The Calder Cannons midfield jet has showcased an ­innate ability to attract the football at TAC Cup level, putting together a draft profile few underage footballers can match.

O’Kearney won Calder’s best and fairest as a bottom-age player last year, was selected in the Vic Metro squad twice and has been a member of the AIS-AFL Academy.

In two weeks, the next chapter in the Keilor junior’s career will be determined at the AFL draft.

“In a way, (the draft) has crept up,” O’Kearney said.

“But since the season has finished, time has flown.

“You look at the calendar now and we’re under a month to the draft.”

O’Kearney’s 2015 numbers make for compelling reading.

Playing predominantly through the midfield and across halfback, he was named in the Cannons’ best players seven times from 13 matches, averaging 25 disposals, 5.4 marks and 4.3 tackles.

Calder coach Andrew Johnston said he saw similarities between O’Kearney and West Coast Brownlow Medal winner Matt Priddis.

“I’ve likened him to Priddis,” Johnston said.

“He’s unassuming to a point, he just seems to rack up the ball.

“His vision and his use is really good as well, inside and outside.”

The 18-year-old, who finished school at Parade College last year, achieved strong results in the kicking tests at last month’s AFL Draft Combine.

O’Kearney said the close attention paid to each of the country’s top prospects was obvious throughout the four-day testing period.

“You just felt like you were always under scrutiny,” he said.

Calder Cannons midfielder Nick O’Kearney is considered a top draft prospect. Picture: Ellen Smith.

“Everything you do, the AFL clubs are watching. Like you think you’ve got a break at lunch time.

“But the next thing you know the recruiters are joining you for lunch.

“You just felt like there was always eyes on you. In terms of results, they were pretty similar to what they usually are so I was pretty happy.”

Curly questions from ­recruiters have become a staple of the draft combine.

O’Kearney copped his fair share, being asked to spell Adelaide backwards and count back from 720.

“I reckon it could be about how you respond to it,” he said.

The on-baller has met with 10 AFL clubs throughout 2015 outside his commitments with the AIS-AFL Academy.

“They don’t really give you too much at all. They seem to play their cards pretty close to their chest,” he said.

O’Kearney said his greatest challenge had been finding a balance between his duties with Calder, Vic Metro and the AIS-AFL Academy.

“I didn’t really feel like I had good stability this year,” he said.

“I just found it really hard to settle in and play good footy in one place.

“That was probably my main focus. But all in all (my year) was pretty consistent, I think I backed up my bottom-age year.”

Listed at 180cm and 71kg before this year’s National Championships, O’Kearney said he was realistic he would have to spend most of his debut AFL season in the gym should he be selected on draft night.

“In the TAC Cup I was an inside midfielder,” he said.

“I’m not going to be an ­inside midfielder straight away. I’d probably be an outside midfielder or a flanker, whether it be half forward or halfback.”

The Pascoe Vale South teen has a low-key draft night planned, hoping to celebrate the realisation of his draft dream on November 24 with family and friends.

Originally published as Calder Cannons midfielder Nick O’Kearney makes strong draft case with two stellar TAC Cup campaigns