Central Districts AFL Draft prospect Jake Eime was one of the standouts of the first week of the Under-18s National Championships.
A rebounding defender, Eime has spent time across pre-season ensconced in the Adelaide Crows system as part of the club's Academy due to his Indigenous heritage.
However, he was not part of the Crows Academy prior to this pre-season, and it is unlikely the club will get priority access to him at the AFL National Draft with Adelaide understood to be preparing to miss out on him. The AFL cracked down on Next Generation Academy rules in October last year with clubs needing to submit applications for players in their 15th year. Eime has only become involved in the Academy in the last 12 months.
He may prove to be the one that got away for Crows fans, having positioned himself as a draft riser in the early part of the season.
“He can play as a wing or half-back. His kicking can open the game up, his run and dash off a half-back is quite good and he's got a lot of energy and zip and he takes the game on," Central Districts Talent Manager Scott Stevens said of Eime.
Eime had 18 disposals in South Australia's surprise 12-point loss to Western Australia on Sunday, among the best for the Croweaters, using his drive and ball-use as the hosts had an avalanche of momentum in Perth.
It followed a 25-disposal trial game against NSW/ACT, proving his skillset was employable at a level higher than South Australia's Talent League.
He had a standout start to the season at the Bulldogs, averaging 24 disposals, six marks and four tackles, kickstarting plenty of counterattack and he is growing his defensive game.
A slightly built player, he has some physical development remaining, but his skill and athleticism are increasingly catching the eye.
“He's always had the ability. It's just been about getting to the fitness level required and that has been a major tick this year,” Stevens added.
“Over the last three years, he has been a kid who, when the work is put in front of him, he will do it and he will ask what he needs to does as well.”
The Crows will, however, have priority access to crafty forward Anthony Long, who started the carnival in fine style, kicking 3.3.
