FORMER Canterbury College student Jarrod Nuttall has gone from kicking goals on the school's oval to kicking goals in Victoria as he goes in search of his AFL dream.
Nuttall is now a squad member with the Northern Knights in Victoria, competing each week for a place in the under 18s side which contests the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Cup.
Nuttall made the move south in January. Since then, he has endured time trials and undergone a range of athletic testing recorded by the AFL.
He has also competed in two intra-club matches and three practice matches against other TAC Cup teams.
Nuttall now has to concentrate on getting a regular game with the Knights and then play some consistent quality footy to get noticed by AFL scouts.
On top of his AFL aspirations, he is studying at the Australian Catholic University and is part of their elite athlete's program which involves him studying a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science.
For Nuttall, his main goal has always been to compete against the best players in the country.
"Now the new goals are to earn a permanent spot in the team each week and, as the season progresses, perform well enough to get noticed and eventually be drafted to an AFL club," he said.
"The experience so far has been unbelievable.
"I feel privileged to have gained selection on the list of the Northern Knights and be playing against the best under 18s in Australia."
As for advice to other promising young players, Nuttall is to the point.
"You need to understand what you want to do, listen to all advice, and then do what feels right," he said.
"Dreams need to be followed up with dedication and hard work."
