Boston to kick on at AFL’S talent identification camp

BROADBEACH youngster Andrew Boston is a step closer to realising his dream of an AFL career after being named in a group of hopefuls for a talent identification camp in October.

Boston, 18, (pictured) is among 120 players invited to ‘‘the big deal’’ or the National Combine, formerly known as the AFL draft camp, to be held at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne from October 2 to 5.

This is where club recruiting people scan the best talent as they put together their priorities for the December national draft.

Described as a medium-sized midfielder who was a standout for Queensland at the Australian under-18 carnival – he was named AllAustralian – Boston knows he is close to being listed by an AFL club and he intends to do everything possible to get there.

‘‘I’m really looking forward to it because it is definitely the final trial to perhaps getting drafted,’’ Boston said.

Getting drafted is definitely on the radar given Boston has already had talks with Collingwood, Brisbane and the Gold Coast Suns, where he has been in that club’s academy squad for two seasons.

Collingwood even went to the trouble to do an indepth, on-camera interview with Boston not long ago.

‘‘They asked me about my football and how I went as a junior going through to seniors – and my life other than football, like my family, my private life,’’ Boston said.

‘‘That was my first interview with a club and it was pretty confronting. But I think I handled it all right.’’

One of the questions the Magpies asked Boston was if he felt he could handle life living in Melbourne.

‘‘Naturally I said yes,’’ he said. ‘‘But I’ll go anywhere, I do not have a preference of clubs.’’

Growing up as a Broadbeach junior, Boston idolised Dayne Zorko, who was finally drafted last year by Brisbane as a 22-year-old.

Boston wants to follow in his footsteps, although it seems certain he will not have to wait as long as Zorko.

Before the camp, Boston has to complete his season with Broadbeach, whose finals hopes go on the line against rivals Southport at H&A Oval on Saturday.