“What he has done over time has been very, very unique,” Sheehan told the GC Bulletin.
“Right from when he won the medal at the U16 championships three years ago, he is a ball magnet.”
A skilful 17-year-old midfielder with pin-point accuracy, Aish earned the nickname “The Mailman” after delivering the best kicking efficiency (86.7%) at the U18 national championships, demonstrating his elite ability to make every possession count.
Should his name be read out by Scott Clayton at Thursday’s AFL Draft, it wouldn’t be Aish’s first stay on the Gold Coast, the South Australian having spent a week mid-season with the GC SUNS as part of the AIS-AFL program.
Given a rare insight into the Club’s inner sanctum, Aish impressed many at the GC SUNS and housed with skipper Gary Ablett.
“James is a great guy and is clearly going to be a very good player,” Ablett said.
Sheehan believes the highly-talent midfield jet is ready for a long and successful AFL career.
“He is quite capable of (making the transition to the AFL) because he has played two years of senior football in the SANFL,” he said.
“It’s a big step from the SANFL seniors to the AFL but his football ability, poise and football nous suggest he could do it.”
“He will need to add 3-5kg over the next year but he might do that very quickly.”
The 2013 NAB AFL Draft will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday night.
goldcoastfc.com.au will bring you all the news as it breaks from the draft on Thursday.
