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JADE Gresham hasn't had to look too far for advice on how to make the grade as smaller midfielder.
The 18-year-old's father, Jamie, played in the Northern Knights' premiership team 20 years ago alongside North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey.
In recent years Gresham has stayed in contact with Harvey through his dad as his own career has taken shape, with the 409-gamer offering mentoring about ways to exploit an opponent.
Few have been able to stop Gresham in 2015. The Northern Knights captain, who is Indigenous, was equal runner-up in the TAC Cup's Morrish Medal, won the TAC Cup Coaches Award, the Knights' best and fairest, and Vic Metro's MVP award.
Gresham's season could hardly have been more impressive, transitioning from the crafty small defensive role he played last year into one of the premier midfielders of the draft
First and foremost, Gresham can find the ball. In 13 games for the Northern Knights this year he averaged nearly 30 disposals, which was a strong blend of 12 contested touches and 18 uncontested (and five tackles and five clearances). He's an accumulator, but one who also makes an impact.
Gresham does that through his skill level. That was on show at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, when Gresham was one of four players to win the goalkicking test. He also placed among the best performers in the kicking and handball tests on the same night.
At the under-18 championships he showed his dash and dare from the stoppages, and he was named in the All Australian team. Gresham tends to lift when his team needs him. In the Knights' final game of the season, he kicked three vital goals from 33 disposals and led his team to a one-point win.
He's quick off the mark and ran a three-second 20m sprint at the combine, and matched that with an equally as strong 14.1 beep test.
It has been the same query Gresham has beaten away throughout his whole footy life: is he big enough? At his size (178cm), those calls will always come about the shorter midfielder, but he has managed to show people this year it shouldn't be a problem. Aside from that, Gresham has most bases covered.
Fremantle midfielder Lachie Neale is basically the same height and weight as Gresham and was nearly an All Australian this year. Both are good inside players who complement their game by running with the ball and offering some zip on the outside.
Gresham looks a likely first-round pick. It will be interesting to see who bites the bullet and picks him, because he could fall anywhere between pick 12-25. In that range he would be a nice selection.
If Gresham's height puts you off, think again. The only problem with smaller midfielders is when they don't have a standout quality. But Gresham has a number of tricks that will translate to the next level. Wind him up and let him go, because he's a natural player.
