There were two draft prospect’s names that Melbourne champion Garry Lyon circled while watching the Vic Country and South Australia National Championships clash earlier this year.
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One was Vic Country forward Jasper Alger, the other was Murray Bushrangers jet Joe Berry.
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Lyon couldn’t help but be wowed by Berry’s incredible ability to work up and down the ground with speed. The Vic Country livewire is as creative as they come in the forward half and is also a good finisher in front of the big sticks.
Berry has quickly become one of the best small forwards of this draft pool alongside Essendon Next Generation Academy prospect Isaac Kako. He is one of just 20 youngsters to be invited to the first night of the draft, which highlights just how many admirers he has at the top end.
He’ll likely find his way to an AFL club between the range of picks 10 and 20, but that wasn’t always on the radar for Berry.
Unlike some of his peers who have been highly touted prospect from a long way out, Berry has steadily risen up draft boards all season long.
Berry was a force to be reckoned with for the Bushrangers in the Coates Talent League this year, booting 27.16 from just 14 matches. That included four bags of four goals within his first five outings, which well and truly put him on the map.
His National Championships campaign for Vic Country was just as impressive, booting nine goals from four matches to earn All-Australian honours. It was another accolade to add to his growing CV after being named in the Coates Talent League team of the year and winning the Bushrangers best and fairest alongside Max Mahoney.
Such a successful draft year doesn’t just happen overnight.
In Berry’s case, his 2024 was setup by a strong pre-season, which started back in September last year.
“I started pretty early with the pre-season, I was kind of doing one before my actual pre-season. I was making sure I was banking sessions and doing a lot of recovery stuff,” Berry told foxfooty.com.au’s Ben Waterworth.
“I think it really set me up for a big year… there was a lot of extra weights, running and working on my craft as well.”
Berry went to work on his cleanliness below his knees which has become a key factor in his game now. Roving packs and taking shots on goal were other things he was keen to work at in his off-season.
Berry has thrived as a half-forward, where he has been able to use his speed, craft and decision-making to great effect.
While he plays a little bit like Hawthorn’s Dylan Moore and enjoys watching the likes of Toby Greene in the modern game, Berry actually tries to model his game off former Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray.
“I used to watch a fair bit of his football. He played a fair bit of on-ball, but when he went forward, he was really creative and dangerous.
“In the current game, those two players and some of their weapons and attributes I try to bring into my game.”
Being a Bushies boy, Berry has clocked up more than his fair share of travel this season, whether that be interstate flights or long road trips in the car.
“That’s all part of it, I actually enjoy getting around to all the different towns and cities and playing at different grounds, it’s good fun,” he said.
“I think I made the most of it though. Any game down in Melbourne I’d have those recovery boots, and I’d wear them on the way home. It was stuff like that, making the most of my time when I had it.”
Both his parents have been key influences on his career, as have Bushrangers coach Mark Brown and Wangaratta Magpies coach and former Collingwood star Ben Reid.
Not only is Berry a wizard around goals, but he has also worked hard to improve the defensive side of his game.
“A lot of it is the defensive stuff as well, setting up a helping your midfielders and also being that link between half-back and the forward line. There’s a fair bit of running in it,” he said.
And now he is ready to take his talents to the big stage.
Berry has plenty of interest amongst clubs, but the likes of Richmond, Fremantle, Port Adelaide and the GWS Giants appear likely destinations.
Regardless of where he lands, Berry has all of the tools to become an important and valuable cog in an AFL side.
“The idea of being at an AFL club has been a dream of mine for a long time and it is something I’m really looking forward to if I get the opportunity. I’m kind of just keeping it day by day, week by week,” he said.
The Telstra AFL Draft begins on Wednesday November 20.
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