JARROD Berry has been hailed as the success story of the AFL draft combine after reaching the highest level in the beep test and winning the three-kilometre time-trial.
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Sunday’s time-trial result was the icing on the cake as Berry notched up a personal best time of nine minutes 46.
Prior to running, Berry said he and Ararat’s Tom Williamson, who finished second, worked on a race-plan together.
“Tommy was an absolute credit to himself with how he went about it at the combine,” Berry said.
“The one thing that sums it up for me was how he and I ran together in the time-trial.
“It was one of the reasons we both did so well.”
Berry’s athletic prowess was also on display to finish fourth in the repeat sprint test and seventh in the agility test behind Williamson.
“I was pleased, especially since I went into the week not expecting too much because of a disjointed preparation,” he said.
“What I enjoyed more than anything was the opportunity to be in that elite environment with other people trying to achieve the same goal.
“There was a fair bit of down time between testing and it was good getting to know the other players that you’ve spent time playing against.”
Top-five finishes in the clean hands and kicking tests also served as a display of how good Berry’s skills are.
Berry said he had not been thinking too much about the future but the combine showed him a potential AFL career was not too far away.
“Up until this point I hadn’t thought about it too much because there is a fair bit going on in my life at the moment with exams and all that,” he said.
“I think you need that balance between school and life.
“With the season done the combine came at a good time for me because it gave me the relief I needed and freshened me up.”
Berry said it was now his off-season and he would take a couple of weeks off for recovery.
“I’ll start building again around exams because it will be my relief,” he said.
Looking further forward to the draft at the end of November, Berry said he would be happy to be picked up by any team.
“They all provided the same sort of opportunities,” he said.
“I guess you would rather go to a young club so that you can establish yourself a bit quicker but just getting any opportunity will be good.”
During the combine, Berry and all the other prospects sat down for interviews with club coaches and recruitment staff.
“It’s pretty daunting initially sitting down with the senior coaches and all the recruitment staff,” he said.
“You’ve got to make an impression and you’ve only got 15 minutes with them.
“All you can do is be honest, be yourself and let your character show through.”
Berry said there were a few curvy questions that kept him on his toes.
“I got one from the Gold Coast asking me the most illegal thing that I’ve done,” he said.
“That had me stumped for a while as I wasn’t sure how to answer.”