Tasmanian forward Jack Callinan is among the promising group of teenagers to come out of the island state's development pathways program for this year's AFL Draft.
The son of former Adelaide sharpshooter and Tassie J.J. Liston Trophy winner Ian Callinan, the 179cm goalsneak was a member of the premiership-winning Allies side at this year's National Championships.
Hailing out of Clarence, Callinan could follow his father, Richmond great Jack Riewodlt and recent draftees Sam Banks, Cameron Owen and Tom McCallum to be the latest to join the AFL from the Kangaroos.
Alongside fellow Tasweigans Colby McKercher, James Leake and Arie Schoenmaker, Callinan was among the best to represent the Devils at the Talent League this year while also earning a place in the Allies squad under coach Mark McVeigh.
Callinan would also join McKercher and fellow statesman Ryley Sanders in representing his home state within the AFL Academy this year, booting a goal in both showcase games against Carlton's VFL side and Port Adelaide's SANFL unit.
Callinan kicked 23 goals this year in the Talent League from his 11 games for the Devils, with his 2.1 goals-per-game average placing him at No.1 among his teammates and tied for 11th in the competition.
The crafty small forward is a dead-eye in front of goal, booting just the six behinds from his 29 scoring shots for Tasmania, while he'd kick five majors for the Allies this year - three of which came in a two-goal win over Western Australia.
Averaging 2.5 and 1.8 tackles at the Talent League and National Championships this year respectively, Callinan has also shown an ability to mount forward pressure on his opposition to negate easy defensive exits.
Coupled with his goal sense and forward smarts, Callinan is a promising small forward who could draw a comparison to AFL attackers Lachie Schultz or Matt Owies.
Likely to earn a selection on the second night of the draft, Callinan could find a new with either GWS (Pick 43), Sydney (Picks 45 and 55) or Port Adelaide (Pick 73) given his wide draft range.
Position: Forward
Height:Â 179cm
Weight: 81kg
State:Â Tasmania
Club:Â Clarence
Strengths
Shooting Accuracy
Eye For Goal
Forward Pressure
IQ
Draft Range
Pick 30-60
Potential Landing Spots
GWS (Pick 43)
Sydney (Picks 45+55)
Port Adelaide (Pick 73)
AFL Comparison
Lachie Schultz
Matt Owies
Expert comments
"A clever small forward who is quick, agile and has innate goal sense. Turns his opponents inside out with his change of direction and evasiveness to create scoring opportunities. Kicked 30 majors across 17 games this season with the Tasmania Devils, Allies and Australia Under 18 team." - Kevin Sheehan