Sulzberger eyes draft after physical and emotional test

He played the national championships with injury niggles and a heavy heart, but Tassie draft prospect Nathaniel Sulzberger is hopeful a strong finish to the year will make his draft dream come true.

Nathaniel Sulzberger competing in the 2km time trial at the State Draft Combine early this month. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Nathaniel Sulzberger is hopeful a strong finish to the Coates Talent League season - and greater self control around his boarding school’s buffet - will help his draft dream come true.

The 18-year-old, who spent the past two years at Caulfield Grammar and playing for the flag-winning Sandringham Dragons - openly admits he wasn’t at his best physically or mentally at this year’s national championship.

Foot and hip niggles hampered his displays for Allies, while his pop also passed away during the carnival.

A big-bodied midfielder blessed with power and speed, the North Hobart junior had a stellar finish to the season and was named in this masthead’s top 60 draft prospects last week.

“My first game at the champs was good and then I had a few issues. I had foot niggles and hip pain, and I had my pop pass away during those champs which was obviously pretty sad.

“I wasn’t that happy with my performance but I reset and felt like I finished the season pretty strongly at Coates.

“I think recruiters understand that (there was factors at nationals), but I don’t want to make too many excuses for my performances. It was good I could reset and finish the year well.”

Like fellow Tasmanian Ryley Sanders - drafted at pick four by the Bulldogs last year - Sulzberger has spent the last two years of his schooling in Melbourne and featured in strong Caulfield Grammar outfits.

Tasmania’s draft hand this year won’t be anywhere near last year’s stacked deck, when Colby McKercher (pick two Kangaroos), James Leake (pick 17 Giants), Sanders and Arie Schoenmaker (pick 62 St Kilda) were all snapped up.

Sulzberger and towering North Launceston ruck Oliver Dean look the state’s realistic hopes after they were invited to the recent state draft combine in Melbourne.

“My power and speed around the contest, breaking tackles and ability to wear pressure (are strengths),” Sulzberger said.

“I’m fairly fit and like to use my outside game as well to break lines. When I’m at my best I’m hitting the scoreboard and being really physical as well.

“I feel like I’m a fair bit bigger than a lot of other mids in the draft, I can use that to my advantage and use my physicality a bit.

“I had some feedback mid year from some (AFL) clubs, and tried to take it into the back end of the year with consistency and showing my strengths.

“I’m a little bit nervous obviously (before the draft). I’m definitely in the mix and grateful for that, we’ll wait and see what happens.”

Sulzberger said Sanders and Schoenmaker in particular had been handy sounding boards for him.

“I’m pretty close to Ryley. Since he’s been in the AFL program he’s been awesome and I can pick his brain on a lot of things,” Sulzberger said.

“Arie Schoenmaker who I’m really close with has been good as well.

“Building that routine early on (was good advice). For the first few years in the system you have to make the most of those years.”

Sulzberger said he’s been able to unleash his running power more this year after exercising more will power around the free goodies Caulfield Grammar offers.

“In year 11 I got pretty heavy, I was 90kg because of the boarding house food,” he said.

“I wasn’t really educated too much on diet, I wasn’t covering the ground that well and running and endurance is probably one of the strengths of my game.

“This year I got my weight down a fair bit (84kg) so I can run around a lot easier. I’ve now got some good knowledge around my diet, what I should eat and how much to eat.

“It was all you can eat in the boarding house, I got a bit excited. There was always jam or chocolate donuts for dessert, I tried to stay away from them this year.”