BRING!!!
I swear I just watched Fejo deliver the ball lace out to Stringer inside 50.
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Because he is mature age and still built like coat hanger
Looks good though
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Seriously.
I’m keen to understand how we considered Patrick Voss more likely to make it then this guy.
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We need to draft that exact type of player. If he can deliver like that to leading targets that’s enough for me. Bring him the ■■■■ in!
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He’s 19.
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Clearly past it
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Noted. The size point still stands.
As stated though, looks the goods.
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I like the look of Voss to be fair.
A better question is why would you risk not getting him when we didn’t use a main list or rookie list pick?
I know we get to look at him more this way, and that’s good, the risk paid off. But this is what we are talking about in the other thread, you take risks on kids like this by grabbing them in the draft, not risk missing out.
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I know we need a small forward but we also need that EXACT type of player. Would be a great consolation for not getting NWM. Hopefully he puts his best foot forward on the training track.
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Truthfully @benfti what are your thoughts? You’d prob hear the feedback certain players would get
Is it lack of endurance? Lack of physical competitiveness? Tacking ability?
There are many a player with great highlights but I’d assume would essentially be considered too outside to transition to AFL and be able to impact. Not going to get the space afforded at lower leagues / going to be coming up against bigger stronger bodies, pushed off the ball/aside too easily etc
I know you’ve obviously got your thoughts around negative bias of upbringing/school pedigree
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Rename upcoming training sessions to Fejo watch.
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Reminds me of Longy. Can he box too?
Strength is the main issue at this point. I’ll always rate a kids attitude if they take themselves away from family to have a crack, which he’s done.
Hes Joel Jeffries nephew (they grew up together so more like cousins) so hopefully he has some idea as to what he’s in store for.
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Right yes so physical competiveness.
Got to both be able to build the body and also have the desire to crack in hard/take the hits.
It’s not willingnes, it’s size, like Ham at the same age.
He’ll fill out and get strong though.
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At least he’ll be able to run circles around Voss, for his own safety.
Well that’s good. Ham has filled out but still doesn’t have the willingness
I think we’re burying the lead from that clip.
Obviously he’s had a really rough time of it and everyone totally supports him, but from that vision Tippa is a very long way off being conditioned enough to play AFL.
Let’s hope he can turn it around
It opened my eyes’: The move that has put Darwin prospect on the AFL radar
He relocated across the country to pursue his draft dream, but will Ronald Fejo follow in the footsteps of his AFL-listed uncle?
By Nathan Schmook on Nov 8, 2021, 7:01pm
The Allies’ Ronald Fejo is seen during a NAB AFL Draft U19 Challenge match against South Australia on October 3, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos
WATCHING close relative Joel Jeffrey get his AFL opportunity with Gold Coast last year was the eye-opener NAB AFL Draft hopeful Ronald Fejo needed to pack up his life and throw everything he had at his football dream in 2021.
Jeffrey is Fejo’s uncle, but the pair grew up like brothers in Darwin, playing senior football for Wanderers and hoping to emulate Joel’s father Russell Jeffrey, who played 50 games for St Kilda and the Brisbane Bears.
When Fejo was overlooked by AFL clubs last year and Jeffrey joined the Suns via their Academy, the 19-year-old investigated a move to the SANFL to improve his chances the following year, landing at West Adelaide.
It’s a move that has put him on the radar of AFL clubs as a late selection, with the exciting outside midfielder hoping his relocation pays off.
The Allies’ Ronald Fejo kicks the ball during the NAB AFL Draft U19 Challenge match against South Australia. Picture: AFL Photos
“It’s always been an aspiration, but it opened my eyes when Joel got drafted to Gold Coast and it gave me some motivation to get up there with him,” Fejo told AFL.com.au .
"That made me want to get in and play in the AFL even more and that’s why I moved to SA and tried to give it a crack down there.
“I asked my manager if he could get in touch with a few clubs and West Adelaide said they would take me on, so I moved down for the pre-season and played the whole season with them.”
Moving out of home and away from family for the first time was tough, Fejo said, with two younger brothers and three younger sisters all living in Darwin.
But he kept in regular contact with them all and settled into Adelaide, playing 16 reserves matches for the Bloods and averaging 18.2 disposals at 91 per cent efficiency.
Northern Territory’s Ronald Fejo in action during a NAB League match against Tasmania on May 23, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos
A risk-taker with the ball, he earned back-to-back senior matches in rounds 11 and 12 and represented the NT Thunder in NAB League games against the Giants Academy and Tasmania mid-year.
Fejo’s season was rewarded in October with his first selection in an Allies team, impressing in the under-19s clash against South Australia and putting his attributes on show.
He was then invited to the SA Draft Combine, where he finished third in the agility test (8.08sec) and second in the standing vertical jump (70cm).
Ronald Fejo performs the 25m sprint during the SA NAB Draft Combine on October 16, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos
"My three main strengths are my speed, my evasive skills and my kicking skills," Fejo said.
"I liked Lewis Jetta for his run and carry and that lethal right foot, and Brad Hill as well.
"They’re my main two idols and I’ve based my game around those two. Even when the ball is not in their hands, they’re always on the move and running up and down all day."
Fejo contrasts heavily with many draft prospects who build their case through the junior development pathway and representative teams.
He was overlooked for NT Thunders 14s and 16s squads, earning his first selection in the 18s team before requiring special permission to represent the Allies this year as a 19-year-old. But he has persisted.
Now back in Darwin with family, he plans to return to SA for pre-season on November 16 and wait for the Draft on November 24-25 where the down-to-Earth teenager hopes his dream of joining Jeffrey in the AFL will be realised.
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