NAB LEAGUE: Why Ferntree Gully’s Corey Preston could be a draft bolter

Eastern Ranges gun Corey Preston has seen an unconventional path into draft contention – but he’s made every post a winner this year.

Ferntree Gully and Eastern Ranges product Corey Preston in action during the 2021 NAB AFL Draft Victoria Training Day. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

It’s been an unorthodox path into draft contention for Ferntree Gully product, Corey Preston.

But Eastern Ranges talent manager Danny Ryan believes he’s ripe for the picking at next week’s AFL draft.

The almost 19-year-old wasn’t on show at under-16 carnivals, nor on the AFL radar in the junior ranks having only entered the NAB League program in early 2020 – with the COVID-19 pandemic wiping that season.

But he caught the eye of scouts, and earned a surprise invitation to the draft combine in 2020.

He hasn’t looked back.

The 181cm, 76kg utility prospect played five matches for the Ranges this season to go with Vic Metro honours, two appearances for Footscray in the VFL, and three at community level with Ferntree Gully.

Preston in action for Vic Metro this year. Picture: Supplied

Ryan believes while a spot on an AFL list eluded the former Bayswater and Ferntree Gully junior mid-year, he has all the attributes to make it.

He debuted as a 16-year-old for Ferntree Gully at senior level in 2019, while also playing Premier-grade under-17 football for the club.

“He’s someone that we thought was pretty unlucky to miss out on the mid-season draft this year, so we really hope that Corey gets the opportunity (next week),” Ryan said.

“He did a pre-season with the (Western) Bulldogs last year, it was out of him and another fella for a spot on their rookie list. He got a concussion leading into all the practice matches which didn’t help his cause. He came back to Eastern, and he’s an unbelievable talent … he’s exciting, clean, really good overhead, knows where the goals are – I really believe that he could be a really good AFL footballer.”

Preston ahead of his Ferntree Gully senior debut in 2019. He played the vast majority of his juniors with the Eastern league club. Picture: Ferntree Gully FC

But it was Preston’s versatility which really stood out in the NAB League this season.

“He’s probably a natural forward, but he’s actually gone down back,” Ryan said.

“Some AFL clubs wanted to see him on the half-back flank to see how he went as a defender, and he had just as great an impact behind the footy as he did in front.”

Ferntree Gully senior coach Brent Kiker saw as much promise this season in the local product’s three appearances for the Eastern league club.

He slotted in seamlessly up forward, ran through the midfield and kicked 11 goals from those three outings, including a bag of five against Division 3 heavyweight, the Waverley Blues.

“He’s a ripping kid and he loves coming back and playing with us at the Gully,” Kiker said earlier this year.

“He’s been really impressive, not just with his goals, but around the ground and his work-rate’s been fantastic – he’s got a big future, no doubt about that.”

Preston’s age suggests he’s a ‘mature’ draft prospect – he’ll be 19 next month – but Ryan said his late December 2002 birthdate contends otherwise.

“If he was born a week or two later, he’d be an under-18 player, and technically he almost could have been an under-17 this year playing VFL footy … I think they look at 18 and 19-year-olds differently in recruiting,” Ryan said.

With the limited exposure of the draft class, Ryan believes this year’s event could throw up some surprises.

“He potentially might go early second round, but I think in the draft there’s going to be a lot of surprises. I’d like to think he’d be at least a late pick, or potential rookie listing.”