Western Jets’ Tom McGuane’s AFL dream remains alive after being invited to train with Adelaide in the pre-season.
The 18-year-old from Keilor missed out having his name called in the AFL drafts after being spoken about as a possible draftee.
Collingwood, which could have taken McGuane as a father-son pick, had earlier ruled out taking him in the national draft.
Tom’s father Mick McGuane played 152 games for Collingwood and Tom had been part of the club’s academy for a number of years.
The Magpies had left the door open to take him in the rookie draft, but ultimately went a different direction.
Just days after the draft, Adelaide invited McGuane to train with them with the club still having a supplementary selection period. spot available.
He is one of two players currently training with the club.
Less than 24 hours later, McGuane was landing in Adelaide and ready to get to work on Tuesday.
“I’m super grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get stuck in,” McGuane told media at Adelaide Airport.
“I had an interview (with Adelaide) yesterday [Monday].
“Obviously it was a pretty crazy week how it all unfolded. They gave me the opportunity to train over pre-season.
“Can’t wait to get started.
“My ultimate goal is to play AFL footy and I’ll do whatever it takes.”
McGuane said not being taken by Collingwood and then going through the draft was tough to take.
He said it wasn’t how he had expected it to all pan out.
“It was a little bit disappointing,” he said. “I was in the mix with a few clubs and didn’t know what was going to happen, so for this opportunity to happen, super happy.
“There’s always a little bit of that (wanting to prove Collingwood wrong), but I’m always trying to prove myself right. I believe I’ll be good enough at the top level and I’ll stick by that.
“I’ve had the same mantra, controlling what I can control and for me it’s just work hard.
“My dad’s always told me the harder you work, the luckier you get so I’ve stuck by that.
“This opportunity has arisen … I want to get to work.”
McGuane averaged 27.9 disposals this year for the Jets and made his Victorian Football League debut.
He isn’t the only Western Jets player who has been invited to train with AFL clubs.
Tom Burton has joined Richmond and headed to Yarrawonga as part of the Tigers’ AFL Community and Training Camp as pre-season got underway.
Burton averaged 29.6 disposals across 12 matches in the Coates Talent League to be named in the team of the year and as the Jets’ best and fairest,
Burton also co-captained Vic Metro this year, where he impacted games with his speed and energy.
Forward Oskar Ainsworth is training with St Kilda.
Ainsworth found form in the back half of the Coates Talent League season after switching positions.
