Soccer hasn’t at all times been Launceston draft hopeful James Leake’s high sporting love. However he’s making a very good fist of creating up for misplaced time.
He helped the Allies rewrite the document books, however Launceston Blues teenager James Leake has revealed a “powerful dialog” along with his mother and father satisfied him to surrender cricket and give attention to his soccer goals.
The 17-year-old was considered one of six Tasmanians who helped Allies declare their first under-18 nationwide title this 12 months.
His first sporting love was cricket, and he made his first grade debut for South Launceston aged simply 14 as a bowling all-rounder.
The all-round abilities he displayed in cricket are coming to the fore in soccer, along with his versatility giving him a possible edge over some AFL Draft rivals.
Leake, McKercher and one other Allies star Arie Schoenmaker will once more play for the Blues in Saturday’s third versus fourth TSL conflict with Clarence at Windsor Park.
All three, plus Clarence’s Jack Callinan and North Launceston product Ryley Sanders, have been invited to this 12 months’s AFL Mix in early October.
“From 13 to 16 years previous I used to be fairly closely into my cricket,” he mentioned.
“I debuted in first grade at about 14 and did the junior rep stuff. I wasn’t wonderful by any stretch, however it was positively what I thought-about my primary sport.”
After being elevated into Launceston’s premiership-winning TSL workforce final 12 months, Leake made the tough name to place all his eggs into the soccer basket.
Leake understood it was required to be any probability within the draft, given he was a later starter in soccer.
“TSL final 12 months accelerated my growth, taking part in underneath folks like (coach) Mitch Thorp and (co-captain) Jobi Harper, utilizing them as a very good sounding board for recommendation,” he mentioned.
“Coming into this 12 months many of the (draft) consideration was on folks like Colby and (Clarence’s) Jack Callinan, so I simply needed to place my finest foot ahead.
“As soon as it bought to early final 12 months the place I used to be taking part in some TSL footy, and Mitch mentioned if I labored exhausting who is aware of what can occur, it drove me to attempt to have a crack.
“If it doesn’t occur I’m not accountable for that, but when I do all the best issues that’s all I can do.
“I had some powerful conversations with my mother and father as a result of I nonetheless liked my cricket. However as a result of I got here onto footy a bit later, I’d have to totally give attention to it to provide myself the most effective probability.”
Leake mentioned having McKercher and Schoenmaker round on the Blues and Devils has made the draft journey simpler.
“Notably in pre season you discover we’re pushing one another, we’re all striving to go to the following stage,” Leake mentioned.
“Whether or not it’s going to an additional gymnasium session with Colby or a operating session, it’s all these little issues that basically add up.”
Leake’s versatility might assist his draft probabilities. Usually a defender throughout half-back, he also can go up ahead when wanted and pinch hit within the midfield.
He kicked three second half targets when thrown ahead to help the Devils beat Geelong earlier this 12 months.
“It’s one thing I developed in juniors taking part in all positions potential,” he mentioned.
“In the end it’s serving to now, and a energy of mine is taking part in at both finish of the bottom.
“I’ve come a bit from nowhere so have by no means needed to take care of media, in contrast to somebody like Colby who’s in all probability been used to it the previous couple of years.
“For me it’s about understanding I’m ready the place I have to have a extremely good again finish of the season to push my probabilities even additional.”
Initially printed as How Allies gun and draft hope swapped cricket for footy
