Will be stoked if we get him at 60...
South Adelaide’s Nathan Kreuger is exciting AFL clubs with his raw talent
Andrew Capel, The Advertiser
November 21, 2017 3:36pm
IT took just five quarters of football for spring-heeled Panther Nathan Kreuger to wow AFL recruiters.
In a full match against Vic Metro and a quarter against Vic Country at this year’s AFL under-18 championships, the tall South Adelaide utility turned heads with his freakish athleticism and raw talent.
“Athletically he’s so good that you'd draft him every day of the week,’’ SANFL high performance manager Brenton Phillips said.
“He’s a bit of a freak physically and his upside is enormous.’’
After being left out of the SA side for the first two rounds of the carnival, the 196cm Kreuger shone against Vic Metro with 16 disposals, eight marks, five inside 50s and a goal in a performance that illustrated his strong mix of attributes.
Of his eight marks, three were contested while he won the ball at ground level with ease and used his long left-foot kick with great effect.
Kreuger’s campaign ended a quarter into his next match when he was concussed after he hit heads with an opponent in a tackle.
But his name had already been etched into recruiters’ minds.
South Adelaide’s AFL Draft prospect Nathan Kreuger shows his versatility at his local oval, Flinders Park. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
Kreuger was one of only eight SA players to be invited to the AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
Kreuger became one of only eight SA players to be invited — on the recommendation of at least five AFL clubs — to the AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne.
“I didn’t think I’d get the opportunity to go there because I didn’t play too many State games but obviously I must have done enough to impress in that game against Vic Metro,’’ Kreuger said.
“The clubs must have seen that I’ve got some decent attributes and wanted to get me in for a closer look, which was good.
“Since the national championships I’ve had nine AFL clubs ring me.’’
Phillips concedes Kreuger is far from the finished product but said his upside is off the charts.
“He’s still very much learning the game, the game-sense part of it and he needs to stay involved in games for longer,’’ Phillips said.
“But there’s no doubt he has some terrific traits.’’
Kreuger, who spent most of last season playing in the Panthers’ under-18s before finishing the year in the reserves, was born in Darwin before moving to the SA Fleurieu Pensinsula town of Victor Harbor with his family six years ago.
Now living in Adelaide’s western suburbs with his parents and four siblings, Kreuger in 2014 represented the Flying Boomerangs indigenous team at the under-16 national championships on the Gold Coast.
Nathan Kreuger has had nine AFL clubs approach him. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
While his size and versatility are key attributes and allow him to play at either end of the ground and even as a big-bodied midfielder, Kreuger prefers being stationed in attack, where he did his damage for the Croweaters.
He plays like Port Adelaide swingman Justin Westhoff and lists star forwards Joe Daniher (Essendon) and Lance Franklin (Sydney) as two of his favourite players.
“Obviously my versatility is a strength but at this stage of my career I feel more comfortable up forward,’’ Kreuger said.