Great Southern mid-season draft prospect Jacob Blight a ready-made AFL player according to Thunder footy GM

Great Southern star and AFL mid-season draft hopeful Jacob Blight is a ready-made professional, according to Peel Thunder general manager of football operations Sam Skinner. The dynamic tall defender is among some of the best State league footballers who are hoping to hear their name called out at Wednesday’s mid-season rookie draft and has drawn a lot of interest from clubs around the country. The 22-year-old has been a pillar in the Thunder’s defence and was a shining light for the WAFL against the SANFL earlier this month in his State debut. Skinner has watched Blight develop at the Thunder following a move from Claremont in 2022 and said if he were picked up, an AFL club would receive a diligent and ready-to-go player. “They would get a real reliable key back that can play on multiple key forwards, and I think he’d be ready to go if required,” he said. “He holds strong training standards, strong competition for spots and I think there will be real trust in Jacob (Blight) to play his role and do the simple things really well. “I think at the same time, he’s been really consistent and has real confidence in himself to play at the next level.” The 196cm defender is on track for a career-best year averaging more than 18 disposals and nine marks this WAFL season. “He is extremely driven and always had a vision of where he wanted to go,” Skinner said. “He has targeted areas of his game to work on and has improved on them. “He has trained smarter, not harder, he’s more consistent, more agile and become a reliable ball user.” Despite the Railways product’s rising stocks, Skinner said Blight’s impact off-field renders him an ideal candidate for any AFL club. “I guess how he prepares himself and how professional he is, that he fits in really well in that (AFL) environment,” he said. “I’ve got no doubt that if he was to go to any AFL club he would fit in really smoothly. “He’s an all-in club person . . . he’s driven to bring others along for the journey and if he’s not in the gym he’s out on the track. “He’s a really strong club person who speaks really well, presents really well and he leads by example.” Fellow Thunder teammate Michael Sellwood is also touted as a potential draftee out of the WAFL, alongside West Perth young gun Jasper Scaife and former Port and now East Fremantle ruck Brynn Teakle. The draft starts at 5pm on Wednesday and will be streamed on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live official app.