JESSE Wallin - a Rising Star nominee in the North East Australian Football League last year - will continue to pursue his AFL dream with the Bendigo Gold.
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Gold coach Aussie Jones confirmed Wallin from Morningside as the latest recruit for Bendigo's VFL club on Friday.
Wallin was invited to the NEAFL Combine last October where his skills and fitness were tested in front of AFL recruiters.
He was ranked No.1 in the running left foot vertical jump (97 cms) and No.3 in the 20m sprint (2.98 seconds).
"He's a really talented young player and tested really well at the NEAFL Combine," Jones said.
"His testing has elevated him to probably the top bracket of players outside the AFL.
"He's super quick, ultra professional and can play as a defender or on a wing."
Wallin has also been asked to try-out for Foxtel's new reality show The Recruit - a 10-part series this year in which the winner will earn a place on an AFL list.
"He has been awesome to have on the track because of his leadership and professionalism, even though he's still only around that 21-year-old mark," Jones said.
Wallin's coach at Morningside last year, Aaron Rodgers, said Wallin had the attributes of an AFL player.
"Jesse definitely has the ambition, ability and drive to go to the next level," Rodgers said last year.
Wallin, renowned as a run-and-carry defender, has represented Queensland at under-18 level.
With Wallin's signing, the Gold now has seven spots left to fill on its 2014 list.