Tape was a rock in defence for SA at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in June and showed composure beyond his years to be named best on ground on debut for Glenelg in the club's SANFL semi-final loss to Woodville-West Torrens.
The 18-year-old Westminster College student is also accomplished off the field, having recently completed exams in mathematics, chemistry, physics, english and physical education, so he couldn't help but be a bit annoyed at himself when he was caught off-guard by the Gold Coast recruiters in an interview at the draft combine.
"Gold Coast asked me what the funniest joke I knew was and if I could count back from 90 in lots of seven," Tape told afl.com.au.
"They asked me some questions I wasn't expecting and they stumped me a little bit."
Tape turned the tables on his interviewers in subsequent sit-downs, quizzing Adelaide coach Neil Craig about his trade-week plans for Tigers teammate James Sellar and Melbourne mentor Dean Bailey about his training approach to first-year players.
SA under-18 coach Brenton Phillips said this behaviour was customary of the inquisitive teenager.
"He's a deep thinker," Phillips said.
"He'll question certain aspects of the game plan and throw questions at you, so you need to be on your toes but you love the fact he's thinking so much about the game."
Tape also impressed in the physical testing at the draft combine in Canberra finishing top 10 in the vertical leap and repeat sprint.
The 191cm defender's athleticism has seen him play on both tall and small opponents this year, including likely top-10 draft pick Jared Polec, former Adelaide and Western Bulldogs goalkicker Scott Welsh and highly-rated WA forward Jack Darling.
"I pride myself on having that versatility," Tape said.
"I enjoy the challenge of playing different roles, whether that’s down back or further up the ground."
Phillips also rates Tape's competitiveness, a trait that above all else saw Tape handed the captaincy ahead of this year's national championships.
"Seb's just a rock-solid kid. He doesn't say much to the playing group, but I knew that his actions would speak louder than the words anyway and that he'd lead from the front," Phillips said.
"He always puts his head over the ball and once you see your captain doing that I think it becomes infectious through your team."
Tape, whose father played state junior footy with Melbourne great Todd Viney, has spoken to nearly every club and is rated a potential first-round draft pick ahead of next Thursday's NAB AFL Draft on the Gold Coast.
The aspiring physiotherapist is a Crows supporter, but said he wasn't fazed about the prospect of moving interstate to pursue his football dream.
"I don't think either of the SA-based clubs are in the market for a tall defender and with Gold Coast having so many picks… there's a fair chance you're going to end up interstate," he said.
"I'll just be happy if I get drafted."
Follow our complete coverage of the 2010 NAB AFL Draft on November 18. Join the AFL draft conversation on Twitter: use #AFLdraft in your tweets.
