By Jonty Ralphsmith
Gippsland Power forward Ryan Maric looks set to get picked up at the mid-season rookie draft after a strong start to the Coates League season.
The 18-year-old kicked eight goals in three games of Talent League footy prior to the community break.
Interest grew quickly after the Drouin local showed upside kicking 4.1 and taking nine marks in round one against Murray.
He also played three Talent League games last year, but the 2023 preseason was his first, enhancing the optimism that surrounds the high-marking forward.
The 193-centimetre prospect played both games for the Young Guns in the two preceding weekends, before making his VFL debut for Box Hill on Saturday.
In the first Young Guns game, he provided presence and showed his tricks in attack.
To show a different string to his bow, he played in defence in the second Young Guns game and still found the footy frequently.
For Box Hill, he kicked 2.2 and clunked eight marks from 15 touches, and is expected to retain his spot next weekend ahead of the mid-season draft.
Highlighting the interest surrounding him, he was one of 11 players to undergo AFL medical testing ahead of the intake.
The mid-season draft will take place on Wednesday 31 May.
