Talented Launceston midfielder Jared Dakin will get the chance to test himself against the country's best AFL talent despite spending this season rehabbing his shoulder.
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The 18-year-old was one of only three Tasmanians invited to October's state combine after North Hobart midfielder Mitch O'Neill picked up the state's sole invite to the national combine.
Lauderdale over-ager Matt McGuinness and promising North Hobart tall Jake Steele will also attend the state combine after being named among an 118-strong list on Wednesday.
AFL Tasmania football manager Craig Notman said his three young Devils could take plenty of confidence from their call-ups.
"On top of Mitch O'Neill making it to the draft combine, it's really good to receive news of those three boys getting another opportunity in a testing sense," Notman said.
"I think the one really good thing for each of these boys is that it's a club nomination, it's not done by states or anything like that.
"It's totally independent to what we do, so the boys are getting reward and recognition from the AFL clubs and recruiting staff which I think is really pleasing for them."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
Unveiled as one of the Devils' co-captains after impressing as a 17-year-old last season, Dakin has largely missed the chance to impress recruiters in 2019 thanks to surgery last November.
It has not kept him, however, from playing a key role in the Devils' maiden NAB League season and uncovering a hidden talent in the process.
"He's actually played a coaching role with our group both in a training sense and on a match day, which I think has shown real maturity and also shows he's got as really good knowledge of the game," Notman said.
"So when he's able to roll back into his footy he'll learn a lot from that experience and I think he's got a coaching future with the way he's gone about things as well.
"Hopefully he has a long and distinguished playing career but I think post that he's got the making of a really good coach."
Dakin, McGuinness and Steele will attend the Melbourne instalment of the combine on October 4-5.
Do you know a junior sports star who calls Northern Tasmania home? Nominate them today.
Hamish Geale
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
