AFL draft: Banyule junior Justin McInerney bolts to Sydney Swans

LITTLE more than a year after he was on the outer of Marcellin College’s First XVIII, Justin McInerney is an AFL player.

Justin McInerney has been drafted to Sydney after a rapid development in the past year.

LITTLE more than a year after he was on the outer of Marcellin College’s First XVIII, Justin McInerney is an AFL player.

The Banyule junior bolted into draft calculations throughout an eye-catching 2018 campaign, joining Northern Knights and attracting the attention of AFL scouts due to his athleticism and kicking efficiency.

THE DAY MCGUANE KNEW CALDER CANNON WOULD MAKE IT

RHYLEE WEST JOINS BULLDOGS AS FATHER-SON PICK

BEN CAVARRA REWARDED FOR VFL PERSISTENCE

McInerney was the only Knights player chosen in the AFL national draft on Friday, snapped up by Sydney at pick no. 44.

“Definitely very shocked, I didn’t see it coming that early,” the 18-year-old from Viewbank said.

Listed at 187cm and 72kg, McInerney is regarded as a gut-running wingman.

“Someone that can break lines, break through zones and take the game on,” Knights talent manager Rhy Gieschen said.
“His kicking is really low, hard and penetrating, so he can get the ball from point a to point b really quickly.”

Dale Mayne, who coached McInerney at under-13, under-14 and colts level with Banyule, said the new Swan was “definitely a late developer”.

“He was quite small as a junior, but then he got some size,” Mayne said.

“He’s always been a really clean ball handler with terrific skills.

“As he grew, he got more confidence, he finished off in the under-17 colts at our club, had a terrific year and got into the Knights program.”

McInerney was in the Knights’ development squad last year and did not feature in the TAC Cup as a bottom-age player.

“He was on the development list and was a pretty underdeveloped kid,” Gieschen said.

“Then improved in leaps and bounds with some added strength and size and some maturity.”

McInerney conceded his progression in the past 18 months had been “pretty surreal”.

“Last year I wasn’t even playing firsts for Marcellin until the last game of the year,” he said. “To now be drafted to an AFL club I am definitely pinching myself. It’s been quite an unreal experience.”

WHY CARLTON MADE SHOCK TRADE TO LAND STOCKER

BYTEL GETS AFL OPPORTUNITY AT ST KILDA

THE AFL DRAFT BOLTER FROM OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

Sydney was the first AFL club to interview McInerney, who attended the state combine.

He will soon rub shoulders with some of the biggest AFL names such as Lance Franklin, Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy.

“It’s going to be pretty surreal being able to train with them” he said.

“Even being able to meet them and be friends with them, hopefully. It’s going to be pretty full on.”

A speedy outside midfielder with slick skills by hand and foot.

Here's a bit more about our pick 44 Justin McInerney.

📰https://t.co/QaZi7DGOyd pic.twitter.com/IcfJwUHv6s

— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) November 23, 2018

Banyule has developed a reputation for producing draft bolters in recent years., with Collingwood midfielder Brayden Sier plucked from the club in 2015 after only playing two TAC Cup matches.

“Justin’s attitude is first rate. Always first at training, trained with a purpose,” Mayne said. “Worked really hard on his game, listened to feedback. He really questions it too, questions his role, he’s a real sponge.

“He’s got really good game sense. An intelligent boy, he works it out quickly.

“He’ll give it every opportunity.”

MORE LOCAL SPORT NEWS

HONEYCHURCH HEADS FROM BULLDOGS TO VERMONT

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE VIC SUPER SLAM

ANOTHER PLAYER ROLLS OFF BEVERLEY HILLS PRODUCTION LINE