The lightly-framed midfielder, considered a likely first-round draft selection, will remain living in Melbourne next year regardless which club snaps him up in Saturday’s NAB AFL Draft.
“I’ll be finishing school at Yarra Valley [Grammar] next year,” Blease said.
“If I was to be drafted interstate I’d stay here next year and go to the club during my school holidays and train with the team then, but I’ll be down here most of the time.”
Wherever Blease lands, the sublimely skilled midfielder will just be thankful for getting an opportunity and being granted the wish he has harboured since his childhood days.
Early this year the speedster suffered a hip complaint similar to that of Matthew Kreuzer, with surgery keeping him off the field for four months.
Clubs were curious when talking to the youngster at this year’s draft camp, and understandably thorough with their medicals.
But Blease will head to Telstra Dome on Saturday morning with his mother and two uncles in top fitness and confident of nothing but good times ahead.
“We’ve sort of tried to play it down a little bit,” Blease said of the looming anticipation of draft day.
“We’ve tried to keep a lid on it as much as you can but Mum’s pretty excited and most of the extended family’s pretty excited as well.
“They’re always keeping tabs on what’s going on … my family’s been a great support all throughout my junior days and now.
“It’s obviously something I’ve strived for most of my life. Hopefully my name gets called out.”
While admitting a preference for remaining in his home state – like many potential draftees – Blease realises he has no say when it comes to his future AFL home.
Many have predicted Blease as a late first-round pick, potentially putting him front and square for interstate clubs like the Sydney Swans, or maybe even a West Coast with a priority pick.
Although his supporter heart lives at Punt Rd – Blease spent a week with the Tigers as part of the AIS/AFL Academy earlier this year – the schoolboy Richmond fan admitted he is unlikely to end up at the club.
“Yeah, [I’m a] pretty keen Richmond supporter. I’ve been a member for 10 years, so I think that could be over this year!” he said.
“They’ve got pick 8, so I think that’s a bit early [for me].
“And I think they’re after a ruckman and tall blokes, so if I grow 10 inches in the next couple of days then I might be a look in!” said the 184cm onballer.
AFL Youth and High Performance Coordinator Jason McCartney, who worked with Blease as part of the AIS/AFL Academy squad, thinks whichever club selects the Eastern Ranges wingman will be rewarded for its patience.
Despite Blease’s injury-interrupted start to 2008, it didn’t take the gifted runner long to get back to his best.
He played a major part in Vic Metro’s NAB AFL U18 Championship win over WA, with some moments of brilliance in that match reminding recruiters of what he is capable of.
McCartney remembers one incident in particular.
“What really stood out for me … was a passage of play that I think would have just had recruiters drooling,” McCartney recalled.
“He ran down a Western Australian player between wing and half-back at top speed, the ball spilled free, another player gathered the loose ball and then handballed on to Sammy who had run to just forward of the wing and drilled the goal running inside 50.
“The defensive chase, tackle and recovery and then to be able to get on the end and finish was special.”
