EFL 2018: Noble Park midfielder Luke Nelson fields VFL interest

NOBLE Park star Luke Nelson will play in the VFL next year — but at which club? He has no shortage of offers.

Noble Park dasher Luke Nelson will play in the VFL next year — and he has a handful of clubs putting out the welcome mat.

The speedy 21-year-old has met five clubs and will make a decision in the next week or so on his 2019 footballing home.

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Nelson’s performance in the final round against Balwyn was another advertisement of his ability.

The right-footer had 35 possessions and kicked three goals, a best-afield effort that helped him finish equal-second in the club best and fairest.

Luke Nelson on his way to a best-afield performance against Balwyn this year.

Nelson joined the Bulls in 2017 from Berwick, where he played in the 2015 senior premiership as an Under 18 player.

Quick and elusive, he started out at Noble as a small forward. But he progressed into the midfield this year, with eye-catching results.

Nelson, who is studying teaching at Deakin University, said he appreciated the interest from VFL clubs.

“It’s nice to be asked,’’ he said. “I’m definitely going to have a go at it. I feel like I’m ready. I think I developed a bit this year by having a run in the middle.’’

Bulls coach Mick Fogarty said he was pleased Nelson — an Eastern league Young Gun nomination this year — was committed to playing at a higher level.

“I think he’s ready to step up. He’s had a couple of strong years for us,’’ he said.

Fogarty said Nelson had developed from a pressure-bearing “high half forward’’ with speed and “footy smarts’’ into an onballer.

“What he had to do was — and this sounds funny because he does it so well in forward 50 — around the stoppage, he had to learn how to position his body and defend a bit better.

“He really started to do that towards the end of the season. Offensively out of stoppage he got on the end of some good ball and, like ‘Sketch’ (Jackson Sketcher), he has that breakaway speed.

“That was the next challenge for him, to go into the midfield and learn his craft there. He’s added that to his bow. He’s also very strong overhead for a smaller player.’’

Luke Nelson is jubilant after kicking a goal for Berwick in the 2015 grand final against Cranbourne.

Fogarty also has high hopes for young left-footer Ali Zijai, who finished third in the best and fairest.

The former Dandenong Stingray was on Casey Demons’ list this year but did not play a senior game in the VFL. He is being linked with a transfer to Frankston.

Casey defender Dylan Gordon, who spent the whole season with Noble, will almost certainly join the Dolphins.

In other VFL news, Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres is resigned to losing his key defender Lucas Cook.

The 2017 premiership star and former Melbourne-listed player is being chased by a number of suburban clubs.

Two-time JJ Liston Trophy champion Shane Valenti will almost certainly be returning to the Borough on a new-look coaching panel.

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