Koroit teenager Jarrod Korewha often seeks out the Hampden league veteran for advice.

He rates the incoming Saints coach as the biggest influence on a football career he hopes is on an upwards trajectory.

“He’ll talk to me about footy and other factors that can influence, like off-field stuff,” Korewha said.

“He used to give me a lift to training and home, so we’d talk a bit in the car.”

McLaren has worked with Korewha since he joined the club at under-14 level after crossing from North Warrnambool Eagles.

He’s watched the lean utility rise through the elite junior pathway program via the AFL Academy, TAC Cup and national championships.

And saw him come of age in the Saints’ 2016 preliminary and grand finals.

“He is a very quiet fella but in terms of his footy stuff, he’s just a big sponge,” McLaren said. 

“He loves learning. It would be nothing for him to grab you after training and stand out on the ground and talk about positioning and running for half an hour and then he will go to the next bloke and ask their advice.

“He knows he’s still really raw.  He wants to get better and keep improving.

“He has no hesitation in ringing you up and asking.

“That is a strong point at our club, that a young boy is more than happy to ring senior players or the coach or whoever it might be and ask for help.”

Korewha became a Koroit premiership player in his fourth senior game in September. 

He was one of three TAC Cup-listed teenagers who lined up for the Saints in the grand final against North Warrnambool Eagles – and the most unknown.

The other two – his North Ballarat Rebels teammates Willem Drew and James Gow – had wowed Hampden league onlookers in the Saints’ 2014-15 premierships as teenagers who belied their tender years.

Korewha’s appearances in red, white and black on the other hand were few and far between.

The former Brauer College student, who boarded at St Patrick’s College during his VCE, made his Hampden league debut as a raw mullet-clad 16-year-old in 2014.

He wasn’t seen at senior level the following season as North Ballarat Rebels commitments took priority.

But the former waterboy returned to Koroit’s best 21 for the 2016 finals series to show his region why he was rated highly at TAC Cup level.

“In terms of people in this area, there was probably a lot of people who weren’t sure where he was at with his footy but we were always pretty confident,” McLaren said.

“His prelim was very, very good and in the grand final at times he was terrific. Early on he kicked two important goals and he had a real impact, that’s for sure.”

Playing in a flag for his home club was a long-held dream for Korewha, who would run water just to be part of the Saints’ inner sanctum growing up.

He kicked two goals against the run of play in the opening term to keep the Saints, who rallied from a 30-point quarter-time deficit, in the hunt against the fast-starting Eagles.

“When you see photos and videos of it, it’s still pretty surreal,” Korewha said of the 14.16 (100) to 10.7 (67) triumph.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of people that never had the chance to play in a grand final or premiership either, so to do that at my age and still have a fair bit of footy ahead of me, it’s definitely something very special.”

Korewha, who has four siblings, including a twin, and moved to Koroit with his mum Lynda O’Grady in 2007, knows he is a long-term project.

He sees himself as a player who would need time to develop a physique capable of holding down a key position spot at AFL level.

The terms “raw” and “potential” are thrown around a lot when the 191-centimetre, 81-kilogram player is discussed.

But it’s something the Perth-born teenager embraces – he knows his best football is yet to come.

Korewha played as a key defender for North Ballarat and Vic Country, as a wingman for St Patrick’s and forward for Koroit in 2016.

“I didn’t have that breakout year you sort of want in your draft year and I haven’t nailed one position really well,” he said.

“And it’s probably unclear where my best position is at the moment, so I probably would be that long-term development prospect.”

Korewha’s confidence has grown off the field and his self-awareness is evident in his decision-making.

He knows perceptions could be the difference between making a list or missing out and chopped off his iconic ponytail – an eye-catching hairstyle he’d had for four years – in a bid to show AFL recruiters he was serious.

And he came out of his shell at the Rebels, winning their personal growth award in his top-age year.

“They say the biggest thing is they want better people out of the program, so I think that’s definitely worked in my case,” Korewha said.

“You don’t notice it yourself until you sort of sit back and have a look at what you’ve been able to do.

“I think the move up to Ballarat and having to look after myself a bit (helped me). I was not so much shy, just didn’t talk to many people.

“I am a pretty introverted person anyway, pretty reserved, so it was a part of my development as a footballer and off field as well, just getting those inter-personal relationships you get with people. I just spoke up a little bit this year I guess.”​