DODGES Ferry coach Danny Ling believes teenage sensation Jeremy Howe's chances of getting drafted to the AFL depend on performances with the Mariners -- not whether he plays in the State League or SFL.
Despite only playing in the Regional League last year, Howe made three VFL appearances for the Devils and showed he could handle the huge jump in standard.
Howe, 19, stayed with the Sharks this year, but new rules introduced by AFL Tasmania have forced him to play at least two State League matches to be considered for the Mariners. After recovering from a broken leg, Howe will line up for Lauderdale in the next fortnight, making him available for selection in Tasmania's second national under-18 championship match on June 7.
Tasmania is allowed to nominate over-age players for the Mariners program -- Howe is joined by Lauderdale ruckman Cameron Milne and Devonport's Vin Ponsonby.
It was a success last year for Mitch Robinson, who won the Division Two best player medal before being drafted by Carlton.
``The whole thing behind this is Jeremy obviously has that opportunity but [AFL] Tasmania has given him the ultimatum that he needed to play in the State League,'' Ling said. ``That didn't get conveyed to us until recently.
``I don't think there will be anyone drafted out of the State League or the Southern Football League.
``Kids will get drafted by playing Mariners. I've been the one pushing him from the start. I contacted Darryn Cresswell and Matty Armstrong initially to get him up there, I wouldn't do that if I didn't think he had the potential to get drafted.''
Bombers coach Cam de Gooyer admits his feels for Howe, who joined in with his new team-mates this week ahead of his first game.
``We are not expecting too much on him and there is a bit of pressure on him with this coming about, so we will do what is best for his development,'' Gooyer said.
``I actually feel for the kid.''
IMAGE: RISING HIGH: Dodges Ferry teenage sensation Jeremy Howe, 19, who is a hot prospect to be drafted to the AFL. Last season he made three VFL appearances for the Devils.
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