FOR every budding footballer, hearing your name called out on AFL draft night is the stuff dreams are made of – and for Balranald’s Jason Gillbee, that dream may soon be realised.
Gillbee is on the cusp of becoming the region’s next AFL star, with the talented 18-year-old one of many hoping to hear their name read out next Monday and Tuesday night when the 2022 AFL National Draft takes place at Marvel Stadium.
The Balranald local has spent the past two seasons playing NAB League football with the Bendigo Pioneers, as well as featuring heavily for the Allies at this year’s Under 18 National Championships.
He was rated within the best 50 draft prospects by many pundits – and could even go in the top 30 according to some.
But while many of the 900 or so players who have nominated for the draft might be in for an anxious weekend, not so Gillbee – who instead has more than enough on his plate to keep him occupied for the next few days.
“I finished school a few weeks ago and since then I’ve been back on the farm helping the family,” Gillbee said.
“It’s been good to come home and help out, we’ve been doing a bit of sheep work today so I’ve been drenching and dipping sheep all day.
“We have around five or six thousand sheep and also grow a bit of wheat, barley and a little bit of canola this year – we’re hoping to get started with harvest in the next day or two, so usually it would be pretty busy by now, but the paddocks have obviously been a little bit wet so far.”
The Gillbees’ 65,000-acre property is a far cry from the hallowed turf of the MCG – and as much as Gillbee loves being at home on the land, it’s the big smoke where he’s hoping to make a name for himself.
Described by many as an old-fashioned utility, he’d shown an ability to play any position on the ground.
It was on the wing where Gillbee had really excelled however, with late season form for the Pioneers propelling him higher up the draft calculations of many recruiters.
His game was compared by some scouts to that of this year’s Norm Smith Medallist Issac Smith.
“I’m a Geelong fan, so to be compared to someone like Issac Smith is massive compliment – he’s a good runner and can run up and down all day with his running ability and delivers the ball really well too,” Gillbee said.
“I’ve had a few clubs show some interest, but it’s a really open draft and there’s not as many picks that will probably be used this year as compared to previous seasons.
“There’s been a bit of interest so hopefully that leads to something – but it wouldn’t worry me where I ended up, with either club or pick, I just hope I end up somewhere.”
While Gillbee is ready to take the next step in his footballing journey, there will always be a big place in his heart for his beloved hometown, with the soon to be former local set to keep a close eye on his home club – and their expected climb up the ladder next season.
“They (Balranald) seem to have recruited pretty well, so hopefully they can continue to improve and play finals next season,” Gillbee said.
“I love it back here, this is my home and it always will be – if nothing happens with my footy then one day I’ll find my way back here.
“I’m always going to be from Balranald no matter where I end up – I’ll always be keeping a very close eye on what they’re doing and cheering them on from afar.”
As for Monday and Tuesday night and where Gillbee will be as his future is decided – that will be dependant on what the weather gods have to say over the coming days.
“I won’t be doing anything exciting – I’ll be just watching the draft at home with the family in Balranald,” Gillbee said.
“That is provided harvest hasn’t started of course, otherwise I might be driving the header or chaser bin.”
