South Australian forward Jack Slattery announced himself with a six-goal haul in the Under-18s National Championships on Sunday.
The Woodville-West Torrens product kicked three goals in a second quarter where South Australia broke away, taking five marks to go with his goal-kicking.
“He burst onto the scene last year and played really good footy, catching everyone's attention with his mobility and marking and his ability to impact when the ball hit the ground as well. He's multi-dimensional," Woodville-West Torrens Under-18s coach Shane Reardon told Zero Hanger.
Slattery was one of the big winners on the weekend, with the relatively anonymous prospect shooting onto the radar with his presence and ability to present as a Jack Gunston-style forward.
A rare overager playing at the carnival, Slattery has been lining up at SANFL Reserves level this year, averaging four marks and kicking six goals in seven games. That exposure to senior footy that many of his contemporaries at the National Championships do not have has given him the opportunity to compete against senior bodies and play in a side where system is emphasised far more than in the talent pathway.
His breakout performance follows a strong pre-season where he improved his fitness, enabling him to get up the ground, which he showcased in a pair of league trial games in pre-season, proving he had taken a step forward. He hit the scoreboard in both of his opportunities at senior level, against Sturt and Central Districts.
“He's exciting when he gets the ball in his area," Eagles reserves coach Kieran Sankey said.
"I've been impressed with his craft work as a key forward and if there's a one-on-one, he's pretty hard to stop. The way he goes about his leading patterns and way he moves his body and shifts his opponent is crafty and innovative."
"As a young kid coming up, part of the growth is putting size on his frame. The way he manipulates his opposition through his body positioning and bodywork gives him every chance of winning one on ones which is why he wins one on ones despite being a slighter frame than other players.
"I see him at league or AFL level as a hybrid connect forward more than he is as a key forward."
The 191cm talent played 11 SANFL Under-18s games last year, kicking 15 goals in between strong school footy for Prince Alfred College. He also played as a relieving ruck at times throughout the year.
Last year was his first in the talent pathway system, which adds to his upside as he remains raw with his skillset and understanding of high performance systems.
His ability to impact at ground level last year was more impressive than his marking, which has continued to develop this year and has allowed him to play an important role at reserves level.
“As a forward, he's got a few more tricks now. His leading and his ability to get front spot from surge kicks has really improved," Reardon said.
"He's really on his toes and engages his opponent early in the year and can create space so his forward craft has come along. His speed is good for his size and has a good leap so I think that athleticism is one of his strongest points and he's a nice mark and kick."
Slattery's South Australia has games against Vic Metro and Vic Country remaining on July 3 and July 8, respectively.
