Two current Maribyrnong Sports Academy students have been invited to the National AFL Draft Combine with the hope of impressing recruiters  ahead of the 2019 AFL Draft.

Emerson Jeka and Josh Honey, who both play for the Western Jets in the NAB League, have impressed on the field throughout the year. Injury has kept Emerson to seven Western Jets games this year while he also represented Vic Metro twice at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. Josh has played eleven games for the Jets this year and also one game for Vic Metro in the U18 Championships.

Jeka saying he is wrapped to have been selected. “ It’s a great opportunity and I’m really fortunate to get picked and It’s going to be a good couple of days.  It’s a great opportunity to showcase our attributes and impress some people.  It means a lot.”

And while selection to the Draft Combine doesn’t guarantee a spot on an AFL list, Emerson sees this as being just another step in the process. “ While it is just a stepping stone, it can lead to possibly getting drafted, so you need to work hard to impress, go well in the interviews and work  hard to get the tap.”

Jets Football Operations Manager Matthew Dervan telling the Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay Star Weekly the boys have deserved their chance. “ They’ve continually put themselves in the forefront of VicMetro Selectors, All Australian selectors and they’ve obviously been strong performers for the Jets over the past couple of years. It’s a testament to their hard work, their attitude and dedication”.

Former MSA Student Daniel Mott has also been invited to the National Draft Combine while Sam Ramsey has been invited to the State Combine.

Meanwhile Former MSA AFLW student and All Australian Georgia Patrikios has been invited to the AFLW combine.

The NAB AFL Draft Combine will run between October 1 and October 4