Jack Ross showed impressive strength of character to overcome his disappointment at missing out on selection for Vic Metro in this year’s under-18 national championships and finish the season so strongly at TAC Cup level with Oakleigh Chargers.

Richmond’s second pick in the 2018 AFL national draft responded to his omission by producing a string of powerful performances at the business end of the season, helping lift the Chargers into the grand final and then winning their best and fairest award.

The big-bodied, super-competitive, inside midfielder, who captained Vic Metro’s under-16s team at the 2016 national championships, subsequently received a state combine invitation on the back of his excellent efforts throughout the latter part of the 2018 TAC Cup season.

Oakleigh Chargers coach Leigh Clarke paid tribute to Ross for how he was able rise above his personal setback and play such good football.

“I now have a role model to drive kids who don’t make Metro,” Clarke said.

“He did exactly what you need to do when you don’t make Metro, and that’s to keep going out and dominating your role like he did.

“Some are really flat because they see it as the next step in the dream, when it’s not always the case.

“He’s been nothing but positive about the way he went about it.”

Clarke believes Ross is extremely well suited to an AFL club environment.

“He has the physical attributes and footy smarts,” Clarke said.

“I’d really love to see how he develops . . . I think he’s someone who could play AFL footy pretty quickly.”