By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
EIGHTY of the best junior players from across the country will do their best to impress AFL clubs at the NAB AFL Draft Combine in October.
Of the 80 players invited to attend the four-day trial, three are from the Western Jets.
Rising stars, Oscar Junker, Judah Dundon and Daniel Venables have been invited to test their skills at the combine.
Junker and Dundon, both have spent time in the WRFL, while Venables hails from Keilor.
Before the talented duo joined the Western Jets in the TAC Cup, Junker and Dundon were teammates at the Werribee Districts.
All three players were involved in the recent Under-18 National Carnival and have all caught the eye of AFL list managers.
Junker played most of his junior career with Werribee Districts and represented the WRFL on two occasions at the AFL Victoria Metro Championships.
After overcoming an injury at the beginning of the year, the Jets co-captain has put together a solid year of football.
Western Jets manager Shane Sexton said Junker is a versatile player that had many appealing attributes.
“He had an interrupted pre-season, he had a surfing accident just after Christmas and missed a dozen weeks,” he said.
“So he had a later start to the season, but was selected in the Vic Metro side for the Under-18 championships.
“He is a consistent player, he can play across the centre and has the capacity to go forward, he has great overhead marking and is great left foot kick.”
As well as playing for the Jets, Junker also played one game for Werribee Districts Under-19 Division 1 team this year.
Dundon has also played with the Tigers and represented the WRFL at the Junior Metro Championships in 2012 and 2013.
The young star also got the chance to play one game with VFL club Williamstown.
Sexton said he has had a terrific season so far despite having some leg issues during the pre-season.
“He fractured his leg, but has recovered well and played eight games for us this year,” he said.
“He will be fit and ready for the draft combine in October.”
Venables has also had a standout year, with commentators predicting he is a player who will likely find an AFL home come draft day.
Venables was named in the All-Australian side following an impressive display at the national carnival and has also played some great footy at school level.
“Hopefully these boys can do well at the combine and go on to get drafted,” Sexton said.
“That would be fantastic.”
On the TAC Cup front, the Western Jets have had a difficult season, managing only four wins from 15 matches.
At the weekend the club suffered another big loss, losing by 62-points to the Dandenong Stingrays.
“It has been a frustrating season,” Sexton said.
“We have had our chances in games, but unfortunately we haven’t been able to challenge many teams.
“We will get some of our players back for our remaining games, so hopefully we can make the most of our opportunities.”
The Western Jets will next take on the Bendigo Pioneers at the Queen Elizabeth Oval on August 14 at 12pm.
Their final game of 2016 will be against the Calder Cannons at RAMS Arena on August 20.
Last Modified on 03/08/2016 10:19