CAMERON Rayner is a potential number one draft pick that has been compared to Richmond star, Dustin Martin.
But the former Hillside and Essendon Doutta Stars junior isn’t fazed by those remarks, and continues to excel in his decorated football career.
Rayner is currently representing Vic Metro in the AFL U18 Championships, and he has made massive contributions to his side’s three straight wins.
In Vic Metro’s first game against Western Australia, he recorded 23 touches and six clearances.
Against Vic Country, Rayner got 21 possessions and three first-half goals.
The most recent match, a 67-point win against South Australia, saw Rayner kick five goals and take seven marks.
“When you get to play on the big stage, you want to make sure that you make the most of it,” Rayner said.
“I get good delivery from the midfield and I’ve been lucky enough to find myself around goals as well.”
The destructive midfielder has been able to share his success with some other former EDFL juniors, such as Noah Balta and Mitch Podhajski.
“I’ve known Noah and Mitch since I was 14 and I played EDFL rep (footy) with them,” Rayner said.
“When you play with people you’ve played with since you were a little kid, you have a good connection.”
Rayner also made some valuable connections in 2015, when he moved from Hillside to Essendon Doutta Stars.
The move was inspired by his desire to win a flag in the EDFL, and he certainly excelled in his wishes.
Not only did Rayner feature in both the U16 and U18.5 grand finals, but he was named the best-on-ground in both of those games.
His success at Nipper Jordan Oval boosted his confidence for his AFL future, and he was optimistic about what he could achieve.
“After that year, I kind of opened my eyes and thought that I could turn this dream into a reality,” Rayner said.
Since 2015, Rayner has been a member of the Western Jets, the AFL Academy, the Penleigh and Essendon Grammar school team, and now, Vic Metro.
At the Western Jets, the versatile midfielder has been ranked elite for contested possessions, score involvements and goals.
Even though he has only played three games for the Jets this year, he has been named in the bests twice.
“I love playing at the Jets,” Rayner said.
“I’ve got some mates there that you don’t get to catch up with because of school, so when I get back there, I enjoy it.”
The 17-year-old’s future in the AFL certainly looks bright, as his aggression in the midfield allows him to be a dynamic player.
“I want to go into football and become a predominant midfielder that can push forward,” he said.
Above all, Cameron Rayner just wants to keep enjoying playing football, whether it’d be at rep level, in Vic Metro colours, or at AFL level.
