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IF Nathan van Berlo has his way there will be another player of Dutch/New Zealand descent at Adelaide next season.
Jay van Berlo - Nathan's 18-year-old brother - is making AFL recruiting scouts stand up and take notice by starring in consecutive WAFL games for West Perth.
After finally deciding to take his football seriously, surfing fanatic Jay has played five straight games for the Falcons.
The defender/midfielder was best-afield last weekend after being rated as West Perth's second-best player the previous week.
"Jay's been going really well," Nathan, who also hails from the Falcons, said.
"He's decided to take his footy seriously this year and it's really good to see him enjoying it. He's come out and really worked hard on his fitness and hopefully he keeps playing well.
"Whether something happens with Jay at the end of the year - and I'd love to see it - we'll just have to wait and see."
van Berlo, whose parents are Kiwis - his grandparents on his father Garry's side were born in Holland before moving to New Zealand during World War II - said Jay always had displayed talent but only began taking his football seriously after Nathan was drafted to Adelaide with the 24th pick at the 2004 national draft.
"When he was growing up Jay was a pretty cruisy sort of guy and was totally into his surfing. He would go down for a wave before and after school," Nathan said.
"But once I got into the (AFL) system he's come over to see me here, seen exactly what's involved and how an AFL club works and decided it's not too bad.
"He's now got the attitude that he would like to try to play AFL and if he gets in it would be great."
Nathan's other brother, 13-year-old Mitchell, also shows promise as a footballer. "He plays at school and is loving it also, so who knows where he might end up," he said.
A triple van Berlo treat for Adelaide perhaps?
I know this is an old article, but does anyone think we'd be interested in a second VB?
I know I sure would be!
Haven't heard anything since after he played two blinders for West Perth in the WAFL...
Jay van Berlo - Nathan's 18-year-old brother - is making AFL recruiting scouts stand up and take notice by starring in consecutive WAFL games for West Perth.
After finally deciding to take his football seriously, surfing fanatic Jay has played five straight games for the Falcons.
The defender/midfielder was best-afield last weekend after being rated as West Perth's second-best player the previous week.
"Jay's been going really well," Nathan, who also hails from the Falcons, said.
"He's decided to take his footy seriously this year and it's really good to see him enjoying it. He's come out and really worked hard on his fitness and hopefully he keeps playing well.
"Whether something happens with Jay at the end of the year - and I'd love to see it - we'll just have to wait and see."
van Berlo, whose parents are Kiwis - his grandparents on his father Garry's side were born in Holland before moving to New Zealand during World War II - said Jay always had displayed talent but only began taking his football seriously after Nathan was drafted to Adelaide with the 24th pick at the 2004 national draft.
"When he was growing up Jay was a pretty cruisy sort of guy and was totally into his surfing. He would go down for a wave before and after school," Nathan said.
"But once I got into the (AFL) system he's come over to see me here, seen exactly what's involved and how an AFL club works and decided it's not too bad.
"He's now got the attitude that he would like to try to play AFL and if he gets in it would be great."
Nathan's other brother, 13-year-old Mitchell, also shows promise as a footballer. "He plays at school and is loving it also, so who knows where he might end up," he said.
A triple van Berlo treat for Adelaide perhaps?
I know this is an old article, but does anyone think we'd be interested in a second VB?
I know I sure would be!
Haven't heard anything since after he played two blinders for West Perth in the WAFL...




