MELBOURNE’S second pick in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft was Sam Blease, a lightly-built midfielder with excellent skills.

Blease is good with both feet, and has the ability to bring others into the game with his creative handballs.

At draft camp he shone with a fourth placing in the vertical leap (60cm) belying his 183cm, and rocketing to equal seventh (2.91sec) in the 20m sprint.

He represented Vic Metro in three matches during the 2008 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was a key contributor in Victoria’s finals triumph over Western Australia with 12 disposals, two goals and five tackles.

He was among Vic Metro’s top five tacklers in the tournament, despite missing two matches.

A Richmond fan, Blease has modelled himself on Richmond’s Brett Deledio, especially his speed and his foot skills.

But the opportunity to go the Melbourne with great mate Jack Watts meant the smile couldn’t be wiped off his face after his selection at pick 17.

“I’m absolutely stoked – Wattsy went at No.1, and I’m really good mates with him, so I’m looking forward to the next couple of years with Wattsy and Melbourne.

“I was a bit anxious at the start that I might be going interstate, but when I heard my name called out by Melbourne, I was absolutely rapt.

“Jimmy Strauss went at 19, and obviously Wattsy as well, so we’ll be really looking forward to the year.”

At just 17, Blease has a year of school remaining, but he’s intending to be at the Demons as often as possible.

“I’ll be down at the club when I can, and I’m really looking forward to getting down there.

“I’ll play a few games for school, and I’ll play for Sandringham when I can.

“This year is about gaining a fitness base and putting on a bit of weight – I’ll play it by ear and see how it goes.”