Jake Neade

Jake Neade (born 29 May 1994) is an Australian rules footballer who last played for the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early life

Of Jingili Indigenous Australian heritage and born and raised in Elliott, Northern Territory, he made the move in his mid teens down to Victoria where he attended school at St Patrick's College, Ballarat where he shone as a real talent in the school's first XVIII, winning the Herald Sun Shield 3 times in 3 years. He was traded to Port Adelaide during the 2012 trade week from Greater Western Sydney. Neade is a midfielder/forward known for his attack and creativity with the ball and strong tackling. He won the Harrison Medal (Division 2 best and fairest) and achieved All-Australian honours in the 2012 AFL Under 18 Championships averaging 18.4 disposals and 3.6 tackles. Neade arrived at Port Adelaide as their smallest player weighing in at 67 kg and being 170 cm tall.

AFL career

Neade made his unofficial debut with the Power in the 2013 NAB Cup opener against St Kilda showing bursts of speed, poise in close and a frenetic work-rate. He totaled 8 disposals and 1 goal in a half of football.

He played his first official AFL match in the opening round of the 2013 AFL season against Melbourne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Port's 79-point victory. For Round 13, 2013, Neade was awarded a NAB rising star nomination.