It's now under a week until the AFL Draft begins, not that you need to tell Jacob Konstanty that.

The Warragul local, who has in recent years plied his trade with the Drouin Football Club, will be waiting with bated breath for one of the 18 AFL clubs to read out his name.
It's been a big journey for Jacob, who up until a couple of years ago had given up his footy to play soccer instead.

When COVID lockdowns hit in 2020, however, and local soccer was shut down, an opportunity to train with Drouin presented itself, leading Jacob back towards his dream of playing in the AFL.
Playing a mid-week scratch match for the Hawks' reserves side, he managed to catch the eye of the right person in Gippsland Power talent manager Scott McDougal. Days later, he was invited to try out for the team, with the rest now being history.

"I sort of always aimed for it, when I came back in 2020 at the end of that year I sort of thought 'geez I think I could make it,'" he said.
"I thought 'I'm just going to give it my best shot and not look back' and I've pretty much had that attitude since. Every night I've always imagined what it would feel like to get drafted."

A small forward with an ability to play in the midfield, Jacob bases his game on Sydney superstar and Bunyip product Tom Papley, with manic tackling pressure and an eye for the goals. Thanks to a solid season with both the Power and Vic Country, he has had interest from 17 of the 18 clubs, and is currently projected to be chosen anywhere from pick 15 to pick 30. Although, according to him, where he ends up isn't too much of a bother.

"I'd be keen on anyone, I just want to play AFL footy," Jacob