ISAAC Wareham wants to showcase his attributes and show talent scouts he's worked on his deficiencies when he plays in an AFL Young Guns showcase match on Saturday.
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The Mortlake export, who is on Geelong's VFL list, will represent Vic Country in the under 23 game at Werribee's Avalon Airport Oval.
Fellow Hampden league teenager Marcus Herbert was also selected but will miss after making his VFL debut for Geelong at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.
Wareham, who doesn't turn 20 until Christmas Day, said it was pleasing to know he remained on AFL recruiters' radars. Clubs will use the game, which pits Vic Country against Vic Metro, to target mid-season draft selections.
It is also an opportunity to stake a claim for selection in the national draft later this year.
Wareham, a line-breaking utility who can play in defence or on a wing, hopes to make a positive impression.
"I am pretty happy about it. There wasn't many VFL players who got an invite so I am pretty grateful to be picked and that they're still looking at mature-age recruits," he said.
"I want to show them all the stuff I talked to clubs about (in the past), like my weaknesses, and hopefully they can see I've worked on them.
"It was more about accumulation. I don't get many touches but when I do get it I use it pretty well.
"I think it is about building on that. Playing down back, hopefully I get a bit more of it and can showcase my skills a bit more."
Wareham is striving to earn a spot in Geelong's VFL team and has been building form via his new home club Bell Park.
"I haven't really played much senior footy in the past two or three years because of all the junior (representative) stuff but I am slowly starting to get use to it," he said.
"The game I played on the weekend was probably my best for the year."
Wareham is playing as a wingman for Bell Park and trains as a backman for Geelong.
He was on AFL clubs' radar in 2019 when he played at the under 18 nationals but was overlooked in the draft.
The coronavirus pandemic wiped out football in Victoria last year, denying him a chance to play.
The young guns game is at 2.30pm on Saturday and will be streamed on the AFL app.
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Justine McCullagh-Beasy
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
