Draft hopeful Jack Lonie won't let his 174cm frame hold him back as he chases his AFL dream.
The 18-year-old small forward, who attends John Paul College in Melbourne, was the third shortest player at this month’s NAB AFL Draft Combine and has modeled his game on Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne.
The Dandenong Stingrays forward set a goal of playing one or two games for Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year but exceeded his expectations, playing all six matches and being named the side's most valuable player.
Lonie admitted he had doubts he could match it with the best given his size, but has gained plenty of confidence following a successful year.
"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't in the back of my head," Lonie told AFL.com.au .
"But you see now in the AFL, Lewis Taylor this year wins the Rising Star, and that gives me a lot of confidence that I can play at that level and really contribute.
"There are other players in the AFL who are a similar size to me so I really believe I can make it.
"Winning the MVP also shows I'm able to play at that level and impact the game regardless of my size."
The small forward has a penetrating left-foot, a family trait he shares with his cousins, former AFL footballers Ryan (Collingwood) and Nathan (Hawthorn and Port Adelaide) Lonie.
The draft hopeful has a close relationship with the pair, who have been keen observers of his junior football career.
"We spend a fair bit of time together, we're always messaging," Lonie said.
"They call me to see how I'm going and make sure I'm on top of everything. They offer a lot of advice and I'm very thankful for that.
"Their main message when they speak to me is just to enjoy it. If you're not enjoying it, then there's no point being here. They just try to make sure I'm on top of things and keep me level-headed. Enjoyment is the thing they keep ramming home."
