KERANG’S Jaden McGrath is set for Tuesday’s start to a battery of tests at the AFL national draft camp in Melbourne.
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The Bendigo Pioneers midfielder-forward is among many of football’s brightest prospects invited to the four-day camp at Etihad Stadium.
Since the Pioneers run in the TAC Cup under-18s competition ended in late August, McGrath has put in many hours working on his fitness and skills.
“There will be a lot of testing each day,” McGrath said of the draft camp.
Some of the tests include a 3km time trial, 20m sprint, beep test, vertical leap, and agility.
Goalkicking, field kicking, hand skills, peripheral vision and more will be under the gaze of AFL recruiting staff.
McGrath said his training across the past month had focused a lot on building endurance.
Such is his dedication to make it to the big league, McGrath spent some time in Melbourne last week working with a running coach on sprints.
Despite this season being rocked by injury, McGrath’s play and skill caught enough attention of AFL clubs to be invited to the draft camp.
“I am injury-free,” McGrath said ahead of the camp.
His second year with the Pioneers under-18s was setback by a wrist injury, patella tendinitis and hamstring tear.
“Not being able to play was frustrating. My parents (Craig and Kyllie) and the Pioneers helped a lot to stay positive and keep working hard,” said the year 12 student at BSSC.
McGrath’s career includes two premiership wins in 2012 and ’13 with Kerang.
