WHEN Jacob Weitering was sent to the midfield at the end of last season, he wasn't quite sure what to expect.
Craig Black, his coach at the Dandenong Stingrays, thought it was a good chance to test the athletic youngster in a new role, having generally been switched between attack and defence.
"He threw me onto the wing and into the midfield, but it was more for a run," Weitering said.
"It was a different feeling and they played me there during the TAC Cup finals. They chucked me onto a few different players and for some experience."
It's hard to see Weitering, one of the most promising prospects for next year's draft, playing much more in the midfield in 2015, after a growth spurt in recent months.
A year ago, the 17-year-old weighed in at 80 kilograms. He's bumped that up to 94kg, and with some extra height, feels like he'll be a key defender as he prepares himself for a big season.
"I've obviously got a little taller, I'm 194cm now, so I definitely do see myself as a key position player," Weitering said.
"I'm more comfortable down back, but in today's footy you do have to play more than one position."
As a member of the NAB AFL Academy, Weitering spent last week training at St Kilda. This week he has been in camp with the academy in Melbourne, which has included training sessions at the Saints, Demons and Western Bulldogs headquarters.
And next month Weitering will head on tour with the academy for a 10-day training camp in Florida, a big start to what promises to be a busy season.
"I can't wait," he said. "It's probably going to be the best 12 months of our lives to date."
Alongside him will be West Australian prospect Callum Ah Chee, who is also among the handful of players touted as likely early selections next year.
Ah Chee sat out the majority of last season – including the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships – after tearing three ligaments in his ankle.
"I missed basically the whole season. It was my first major injury so I had to find a way to get around it," he said.
"It was a big setback, but I was able to get through it, and it will help me in the future by having that mental strength."
The academy could have a new senior coach by the time of the international tour, after it started advertising for a full-time head coach last week.
Current coach Brad Johnson's media commitments mean he won't pursue the role, and is instead set to be a senior assistant coach with the talent program.
"It's the best thing for the academy to get a full-time coach in," Johnson said.
"We've been able to grow it over the last couple of years but it's probably the next step so they can implement the individual development plans for the guys, have a great relationship with the states and the best kids in the country.
"I'll stay involved in the program as an assistant and I look forward to working with the new head coach when it's appointed."
Callum Ah Chee in full stride during an AFL Academy training session. Picture: AFL Media
