Territory footballers eyeing a career at the elite level will be watching the AFL Draft this week

AT LEAST six Territorians will have their eyes and minds on this week’s AFL Draft in Melbourne

St Mary's young gun Kieren Parnell has recovered from serious knee problems to be one of the Territory’s best chances in this week’s AFL Draft.

AT LEAST six Territorians will have their eyes and minds tuned to this week’s AFL Draft.

Abe Ankers, Kieren Parnell, Nigel Lockyer Jr, Jake Long, Ryan Nyhuis and Adam Tipungwuti have nominated for the two-day draft at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne tomorrow.

For 23-year-old Long it will be a chance to resurrect a playing career at the elite level that began with Essendon in 2016.

The AFLNT’s pathways manager Wally Gallio told the NT News any Territory flavour in the draft would depend on the needs of the 18 AFL clubs.

“Their people will be going through those players with a fine tooth comb and deciding whether they want forwards, defenders or midfielders,’’ Gallio said.

“Essendon is looking for inside forwards to replace older players and Gold Coast is on the lookout for utility players, a situation where Ryan Nyhuis could fit into those plans after performing well at Fremantle in a similar role.’’

Gallio said Ankers’ year with NT Thunder at NEAFL level proved he could get hold of the football 30-plus times during a game and do it consistently.

“Nigel Lockyer showed some really good glimpses in the NEAFL and Parnell got back on to the playing arena with a thump after missing two years with injury,’’ he added.

“Jake Long is another one, he has nominated again and a couple of clubs are interested in him even though he didn’t get a lot of opporunity at senior level with Essendon.

“Someone like a Gold Coast, Fremantle or Melbourne might take a punt on him because of the size he is, the fact he is a utility who can fill a variety of roles and the knowledge he can play at the top level.

“Plus Jake knows the system, having been on a club’s list. He knows how they work and how they train.’’

Gallio said the Territory contingent had shown some good form on the field and tested really well off it.

“There’s not much they can do now, except sit back and wait to see if their name is called out,’’ he added.

“Clubs are more comfortable going for the older players because they’ve played a lot of footy and they are match ready.

“But the way 18-year-olds are developed nowadays, it really comes down to what they are looking for and how they are going to get better.’’

This year’s draft is set down for tomorrow and Thursday, with the rookie draft following on from the main draft.