WEST Coast father-son prospect Jordan Matera has quit Brighton Grammar and will play next season solely with TAC Cup side Sandringham Dragons, in a bid to give himself the best shot at being drafted.
The son of Eagles great and 1992 Norm Smith medallist Peter was set to complete his year 12 studies this year.
Instead Matera has enrolled in an elite athlete course where he will study sports and business management and work out under the guidance of Vic Metro trainer Damien Villarosa at ProSport gym in Richmond.
The course means Matera will no longer have to split his time between school footy and the TAC Cup, which he hopes will help him play more consistent football for the Dragons.
"It means I won't be going back and forth with both clubs. I'll just be training with one club three times a week," Matera told AFL.com.au.
"I think that might be a bit easier for me.
"Then if I don't make AFL I'll hopefully get into uni and start my career there."
The 18-year-old has long been on the radar of Eagles recruiters and could come under consideration this year.
Under current father-son rules West Coast can snare the son of a 100-game player by matching a bid from a rival club before the NAB AFL Draft.
On Monday, the Eagles will get a closer look at Matera when the left-footer flies to Perth to attend the club's annual father-son academy.
"I think I'll be there for a few days just to do some testing and train with the boys hopefully," he said. "It's very exciting."
It will be Matera's fourth trip west to link up with the academy, where the sons of club greats John Worsfold, Guy McKenna, Dean Kemp, David Hart and Peter Sumich have also been given a glimpse into life at the club.
This week the sons-of-guns will watch the Eagles train and learn about flexibility, preparation, diet and recovery.
Premiership defender Hart will then put the boys through their paces in a skills session, before they play a game against each other.
The Eagles academy has already started to bear fruit, with Alec Waterman – the son of dual-premiership defender Chris – recruited with pick No.76 last year.
"I know my dad was a great player but I've got to play my own game."
Matera hard at work with US draft hopeful Alex Aurrichio. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media