A STRONG, hard-bodied midfielder with senior experience, Alex Neal-Bullen is a draft prospect with solid credentials.
Often it's easy to overlook his influence on games: his possessions are largely gathered in and under packs, and he doesn't have the breakaway speed to burst out of a pack.
But, in his time with Glenelg's senior team and South Australia's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships campaign, Neal-Bullen had a big impact with a calm presence, poise with the ball, and an ability to just keep getting it.
Neal-Bullen showed his elite running power at the combine, where he posted the third-best three-kilometre time trial (9:54 minutes) and a level 15.2 beep test.
That's a central part of his game, with Neal-Bullen able to get to plenty of stoppages and make an impact when he's there.
In six games for South Australia during the under-18 championships, the 182cm/77kg prospect averaged 18 disposals and five clearances a game, and he's also an aggressive tackler (averaging four a game).
Importantly, Neal-Bullen also has senior experience, having performed well for Glenelg.
In nine games at the SANFL's top level, he averaged 20 disposals and showed his talents as a ball winning and consistent inside midfielder (almost 40 per cent of his disposals in the seniors were contested).
Neal-Bullen doesn't have the out-and-out spread from contests that other midfielders possess, which is probably what pushes him down the order a touch.
His speed in games is OK without being exceptional, but showed at the combine that it wasn't one of his go-to strengths (he tested 3.12 over 20 metres).
Luke Parker has developed into one of the premier young midfielders in the competition, and Neal-Bullen carries some of the same traits as the emerging Sydney Swans on-baller.
Neal-Bullen bases his game on his quick hands at stoppages and capacity at winning contested disposals.
Neal-Bullen is probably a second or third-round draft prospect.
Levelheaded and a quality leader, Neal-Bullen ticks some important boxes. He'll need to work on a few things, but has the temperament, tenacity and desire to make an impact in the midfield.
