Eagles look set for mature-age pick

WESTERN Australian midfielder/forward Lewis Jetta looks set to become the first mature-age selection in this year's NAB AFL Draft.

The skilful and pacy Jetta, who is related to Essendon's Leroy and Melbourne's Neville, has been strongly linked with the West Coast Eagles at pick No.7.

The 20-year-old, who was the oldest player to attend the recent NAB AFL Draft Camp, impressed for Swan Districts in the WAFL this year and also in the senior Western Australian state team.

His draft camp efforts also caught the eye, with top 10 results in the repeat sprints, standing vertical jump and 20m sprints.

Although mature-age players have been taken in the top 21 of the past two drafts, Jetta appears certain to be the earliest such choice in years.

Last year, 2008 Sandover Medallist Hayden Ballantyne was snapped up by Fremantle at No.21. Although a wrist injury interrupted his debut season, Ballantyne showed plenty to like about his game in the second half of the 2009 season.

And in 2007 another Western Australian, Harry Taylor, was claimed by Geelong at No.17. He has since become a fine player for the Cats, performing impressively against St Kilda superstar Nick Riewoldt in this year's premiership win.