Meet Jacob Allison – the next Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy prospect set to graduate from the Club's Academy to its AFL list come November.
Allison, who moved to Queensland from Geelong when he was six, joined the Lions' academy when he was 13.
At 193cm, Allison's size, athleticism and versatility already have him touted as one of the player's to watch as this year's NAB AFL Draft draws closer.
Eight current listed Brisbane Lions players have made their AFL pathway via the Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy while another three – Corey Wagner (North Melbourne), Mabior Chol (Richmond) and Wylie Buzza (Geelong) are tied to other club's.
“It’s good to see the Lions Academy getting the respect it deserves,” Allison told lions.com.au.
“It’s been really good to see Hippy and Keaysy get up there on draft night, how happy their families were and to see Corey Wagner go to North Melbourne, somewhere he probably didn’t expect and then Buzz (Wylie Buzza) who was such a late pick in the draft.”
Harris Andrews, Jonathan Freeman, Liam Dawson and Ben Keays are among the players to have graduated from the Club's Academy to its AFL list in the past three years, and the Lions are hopeful Allison will be the next.
He trained with the Lions as part of the AFL Academy's program over summer, and has a job in the Club’s merchandise department.
“(The Academy’s) been really good. They’ve probably made me a better footballer,” said Allison.
“I enjoyed my footy before but the Lions really helped me. I felt like I was an average player and they’ve really developed me a lot into what I am now.
“The coaches that they’ve had – Scotty Borlace who is now at the club (Brisbane Lions), he’s helped me a lot and Luke Curran (Academy Manager). I can’t thank them enough it’s been such a good experience.”
Allison’s versatility is one of his greatest strengths but the 17-year-old is relishing the opportunity to take on whatever role will benefit the team.
“I haven’t really found that one spot that I’m really good at. I’m not too sure what it is at the moment.”
Queensland defeated Tasmania at Metricon Stadium over the weekend with the Allies squad (comprising of players from NSW/ACT, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory) to be announced on Wednesday.
“We went out there with a pretty positive mindset after last week and we were really happy to come away with the win.
“They weren’t in the best form, Tassie. We wanted to stick to our structures and I thought that we did that on the weekend.”
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