AFL YOUTH and High Performance Coordinator Jason McCartney sees the magic of junior indigenous talent on a daily basis through the Qantas Kickstart program for under-15s and the AIS/AFL Academy targeted at players about to enter the NAB AFL draft.

Asked about just what it is that indigenous players seem to have that others don’t, McCartney says there are a few exceptional qualities that shine through, even at a young age.

 “I would say it’s balance – there’s no doubt about that. Amazing balance, and just that side-step, that agility, it‘s just so natural to the indigenous boys,” he told afl.com.au.

“At that age they’re off no specific training at all so it’s just really raw data and what’s quite exciting is some of the agility results – and you’ve got to take into consideration too that the boys mightn’t have the greatest footwear and things like that – but their test results still stack up pretty favourably against what we get at a higher level, whether it’s AIS or draft camp.

McCartney’s role involves teaching young indigenous players how to direct that natural talent, largely through positive psychology that helps them to develop confidence in their strengths.

He also gets to see all the hard work pay off as junior players develop into exciting AFL prospects.

Two Flying Boomerangs players from last year’s squad have graduated to the AIS squad and are expected to be in fine form for Western Australia in the upcoming under-18s championships.

Versatile midfielder Michael Walters has shown form up forward and back, and according to McCartney, reads the play extremely well and displays superb balance.

His under-18 teammate Clinton Garlett is a half-forward and midfielder with great goalkicking ability. After missing the under-16 championships through hamstring injuries, he has recovered form in time for the under-18 competition in a few weeks.

Far North Queensland talent Rex Liddy is part of this year’s Flying Boomerangs after participating in last year’s Kickstart tour and under-16 championships as a 14-year-old. Liddy is attending school in Brisbane on a Michael Voss scholarship will again be eligible as an under-16 this year.

“He’s super explosive and a great side-step,” McCartney said.

“His uncle’s Matty Bowen, NRL (a player for the North Queensland Cowboys), so you can see where he gets his side step.

“From what we’ve seen in the past, he’d come under consideration for our AIS next year, the next group coming through. He’s a really good talent.”

All-Australian under-15 schoolboy Steven May hails from Darwin but is attending Melbourne Grammar and played a few weeks ago for the Northern Territory under-18 side.

“He showed some glimpses,” McCartney said.

“He’ll be another one that this year in the under-16s we’d be looking to be one of the better players, and hopefully in that same category as a Rex that may well push for selection at AIS.

“He’s 6’3” already and very good aerobic capacity. Good lateral movement. I would think he’ll play a lot of his footy at centre half-forward because he does move really well.”

Fourteen-year-old Curtley Hampton from Alice Springs is another Boomerang to play for the Northern Territory under-18 side.

“He did enough in his little bits of time on the ground to suggest he’s got a pretty bright future,” McCartney said.

“Half forward – extremely bouncy. He’s got a real spring in his step and he’s a kid already that’s probably 6’2” and continues to grow all the time ...”

Under-16 North Queensland pocket rocket Kieron Johnson is another to impress. He received the 2008 Flying Boomerangs’ Michael Long Medal, voted by the match committee and players based on game performance and leadership qualities.

“He’s only small but extremely quick. Very aggressive in his attack on the footy and on the man, and uses the ball really well,” McCartney said.

“He is small, but what he lacks for in size he makes up for in heart in a big way.”