LEAP INTO THE AFL?

Elijah’s grab sure to get attention

A SPECTACULAR mark playing for the Tassie Mariners helped Russell Robertson’s draft stocks in 1996, and now another Tasmanian might find himself on the radar of AFL scouts following his incredible TSL grab.

Spring-heeled Tiger Elijah Reardon’s soaring hanger against North Hobart on Saturday was the talk of social media across the country yesterday.

More than two decades ago Robertson put himself on the national map when a video of him taking a screamer at under-18 level was sent into the Footy Show’s Almost Football Legends.

He carved out a successful career for Melbourne, kicking 428 goals in 228 games.

Reardon, who last year kicked two goals for a Devils under-25 TSL outfit which defeated Vic Metro, could follow suit and join the state’s current AFL high flyer Jeremy Howe.

But for now the 20-year-old is still taking in the biggest mark of his career — which came after he pulled down a similar effort at midweek training.

“I remember the ball being in the air and as it was coming down I jumped, after that it is a bit of a blur,” he said. “I didn’t think I was that high, you don’t feel it when you are up there. I have taken a few, but I reckon that would be my biggest.”

The Tigers have switched Reardon from a forward pocket to half-back in 2020, with the dashing defender given a licence to use his best assets.

Demons coach Richard Robinson likened the “freakish” mark to Robertson’s, while Tigers coach Trent Baumeler hopes the effort will get Reardon noticed again after an eyecatching display against the Devils last year.

“He had a really good practice game against the Devils last year when recruiters were watching those players and I think he got himself on the radar a little bit,” Baumeler said. “If that can put him up there again and he can keep adding to his game and growing as a person as well, why not [it push an AFL draft case]?

“Hopefully he has put himself on the radar, and it is also great for the competition.”