Alice Springs Redtail and Thunder listed player Nigel Lockyer Jr nears a contact at Essendon

CAFL premiership player and Redtails product Nigel Lockyer Jr is on track to join AFL club Essendon next year

Centralian and Palmerston utility Nigel Lockyer Jr is on the verge of joining AFL giants Essendon.

CAFL premiership player and Redtails product Nigel Lockyer Jr is on track to join AFL club Essendon next year.

The 22-year-old utility flew to Melbourne last week to meet with Essendon officials after impressing the Bombers recruiting staff at last month’s AFL draft combine.

The 190cm forward is a dual premiership player with CAFL club Rovers and has played with Territory Thunder in their NEAFL days and NTFL club Palmerston.

Redtails president Rob Clarke is confident the 190cm forward-defender has what it takes to fill the last remaining spot on Essendon’s list.

“While AFL clubs make the final decision, it’s important to note as a community and a program, we (Redtails) have given him the best opportunity to make it,’’ Clarke said.

“There has just been so much support for him and Nigel has grabbed it.

“So while nothing is guaranteed in this business, I’m pretty confident he has got the right stuff.’’

Lockyer will train with the full Essendon squad in February under the watchful eye of their recruiting staff.

Clarke said the Redtails’ summer program had worked in well with Lockyer’s fitness agenda and will to succeed.

“We’ll have break over Christmas, but Nigel will continue with his program and goal to bring his time trials and weight down,’’ Clarke added.

“We want to get him right, so when he presents again he will give himself the best opportunity to make it.’’

An ankle injury when he stepped into a hole on Albrecht Oval has been the only negative in Lockyer’s preparation.