Midfielder Jai Culley has taken his training to another level this pre-season according to West Coast coach Adam Simpson.
The 19-year-old Victorian was taken by the Eagles in last year’s Mid-Season Rookie Draft before playing four AFL matches in the royal blue and gold, averaging 13 disposals.
Half a dozen Eagles players nominated Culley when asked ‘Which teammate has impressed you most this pre-season?’ on the club’s TikTok account.
Simpson insists it is no surprise that Culley’s peers have noticed a significant change in the way he is going about it ahead of the 2023 season.
He says the former Dandenong Stingray understands the “volatility” and cut-throat nature of the AFL, which has helped kick his training into gear.
“He’s been exceptional,” Simpson said on SEN WA Breakfast.
“I think what’s happened over this pre-season is we’ve gone from probably four to six guys who are complete, ultimate professionals, almost too committed to the point where you’ve got to pull them back, to 15 or 16.
“Everyone is committed but there’s another level that you go to that sets the standard. This kid’s definitely done it.
“He ran a 6.30-35 2km when he first came over and he ran a 6-minute flat, or 6.03, this pre-season.
“He missed the draft last year and was a mid-season rookie during the season, so I think he understands the volatility of AFL. If I said, ‘mate, chop off your little finger and we’ll play you Round 1’, he’d get the butter knife out and cut it off.
“He’s really keen, which is great, because it just rubs off on everyone else. I’m not surprised (others are mentioning him).”
Culley’s best game for the Eagles came in Round 19 against St Kilda when he picked up 19 disposals, laid seven tackles and kicked a goal.
Simpson also lavished praise on some of West Coast’s 2022 draftees, singling out no.9 selection Reuben Ginbey and no.58 pick Noah Long.
“I’m really pleased that all the guys we’ve drafted have got capability obviously,” he added.
“But sometimes with draftees you get through the first three or four months and you go, ‘this guy needs a bit of work’ or ‘he’s a fair way off’, but all of them aren’t miles off.
“The obvious ones for us are Reuben Ginbey. He hasn’t missed a beat. When you come second in the time trial and then second with the speed (testing), you’ve got a pretty good profile. He’s not far off.
“Noah Long is an interesting one. I think he’s not far off as well. He’s got some really good footy smarts, probably a bit more advanced than most first-year players.”
The Eagles are preparing for pre-season practice matches against Port Adelaide (February 24) and Adelaide (March 3) before kicking off the 2023 season against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on March 18.