AFL draft: Northern Knights wingman Justin McInerney on radar of AFL clubs after earning state combine invite

A GROWTH spurt during the past two years has put hard-running Northern Knights wingman Justin McInerney in the sights of AFL recruiters.

A GROWTH spurt during the past two years has put hard-running Northern Knights wingman Justin McInerney in the sights of AFL recruiters.

The Banyule junior came to the Knights’ attention last year and was invited to be part of their development squad, where he “starred” in two mid-year games.

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McInerney, who turns 18 on Saturday, forced his way into a talented Marcellin College First XVIII and his improvement was evident when he was a standout during his first full TAC Cup pre-season.

He will be the sole Northern Knights representative at this year’s state combine, which is on October 5.

“He’s got some real speed and power into his body,” Knights talent manager Rhy Gieschen said.

“He wasn’t in the Knights as an under-15 or under-16, but through his football development and physical maturity, he was noted on our talent ID guys radar early last season.

Northern Knights Justin McInerney has rocketed onto the radar of AFL clubs.

“They went and watched him a couple of times and said pretty strongly he should come into our under-17 development program.”

Gieschen said McInerney, listed at 187cm, was the “best runner” at the club.

“The recruiters really like that about him,” he said.

“Particularly in a wing role, his ability to get back and help the defence, but also surge forward.

“He just covers more ground than most people can.”

McInerney has been “getting a fair bit of attention” from AFL clubs, who have been impressed by his unwavering approach.

“I want to highlight how courageous he is,” Gieschen said.

“For such a light-bodied kid, I just can’t believe how often he puts his head in the hole and in the air he doesn’t take his eyes off it.”

McInerney has played seven matches for the Knights this year and has averaged 14 disposals, three marks and 2.5 tackles per game.

“It was more he shot up and he got stronger, which has allowed him to do the things he has been able to do this year,” Gieschen said.

“He worked his way into the Marcellin side … then had a standout pre-season with us and was one of our better players earlier on in the year.”