How Allies gun and draft hope swapped cricket for footy

Football hasn’t always been Launceston draft hopeful James Leake’s top sporting love. But he’s making a good fist of making up for lost time.

James Leake in action for the Devils this year. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

He helped the Allies rewrite the record books, but Launceston Blues youngster James Leake has revealed a “tough conversation” with his parents convinced him to give up cricket and focus on his football dreams.

The 17-year-old was one of six Tasmanians who helped Allies claim their first under-18 national title this year.

His first sporting love was cricket, and he made his first grade debut for South Launceston aged just 14 as a bowling all-rounder.

The all-round skills he displayed in cricket are coming to the fore in football, with his versatility giving him a potential edge over some AFL Draft rivals.

Leake, McKercher and another Allies star Arie Schoenmaker will again play for the Blues in Saturday’s third versus fourth TSL clash with Clarence at Windsor Park.

All three, plus Clarence’s Jack Callinan and North Launceston product Ryley Sanders, have been invited to this year’s AFL Combine in early October.

“From 13 to 16 years old I was quite heavily into my cricket,” he said.

“I debuted in first grade at about 14 and did the junior rep stuff. I wasn’t amazing by any stretch, but it was definitely what I considered my number one sport.”

After being elevated into Launceston’s premiership-winning TSL team last year, Leake made the difficult call to put all his eggs into the football basket.

Leake understood it was required to be any chance in the draft, given he was a later starter in football.

Launceston’s James Leake played a major role in the Allies’ breakthrough national championships win. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“TSL last year accelerated my development, playing under people like (coach) Mitch Thorp and (co-captain) Jobi Harper, using them as a good sounding board for advice,” he said.

“Coming into this year most of the (draft) attention was on people like Colby and (Clarence’s) Jack Callinan, so I just wanted to put my best foot forward.

“Once it got to early last year where I was playing some TSL footy, and Mitch said if I worked hard who knows what can happen, it drove me to try and have a crack.

“If it doesn’t happen I’m not in control of that, but if I do all the right things that’s all I can do.

“I had some tough conversations with my parents because I still loved my cricket. But because I came onto footy a bit later, I’d have to fully focus on it to give myself the best chance.”

Leake said having McKercher and Schoenmaker around at the Blues and Devils has made the draft journey easier.

“Particularly in pre season you notice we’re pushing each other, we’re all striving to go to the next level,” Leake said.

“Whether it’s going to an extra gym session with Colby or a running session, it’s all those little things that really add up.”

Leake’s versatility could help his draft chances. Normally a defender across half-back, he can also go up forward when needed and pinch hit in the midfield.

He kicked three second half goals when thrown forward to help the Devils beat Geelong earlier this year.

“It’s something I developed in juniors playing all positions possible,” he said.

“Ultimately it’s helping now, and a strength of mine is playing at either end of the ground.

“I’ve come a bit from nowhere so have never had to deal with media, unlike someone like Colby who’s probably been used to it the last few years.

“For me it’s about understanding I’m in a position where I need to have a really good back end of the season to push my chances even further.”