That same player went on to become the youngest to make his senior debut for the Wodonga Bulldogs and was identified as a superstar in the making.
His name was Jack Ziebell and he became an inspiration for the then 12-year-old Turner.
“Everyone could tell he was gonna be a gun,” Turner told NMFC.com.au.
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“He played against my brothers and was unbelievable. He was playing for the Wodonga seniors at just 15 and he still dominated.”
Five years on, Turner can know call himself a team-mate of Ziebell after being selected by North Melbourne in the Rookie Draft with pick 25.
It’s something that makes his head spin.
“After I got drafted a few of the boys like Jack and Shaun Atley sent me a text message to welcome me to the club. It was amazing and they’ve already made me feel so welcome.”
Turner and Ziebell share more than just similar football backgrounds having played in the Ovens and Murray league; both are known for their courage and attack on the ball.
“I’ve always played that way. I think when you’re playing country footy, you have to play that way to get ball.
“I like the fact they’re saying I go in as hard as him (Ziebell) but it’s a stretch to compare me to him. He’s unbelievable.”
Weighing just 65kg, Turner’s fearlessness and lack of regard for his body in the contest often has spectators gasping, but he won’t change the way he goes about it.
“No way,” he stated defiantly.
“Everyone is very supportive of the way I play. Anyone I play with doesn’t see it as a danger…It’s just who I am and how I get the ball.”
The 17-year-old qualified for the draft by six hours and is currently completing Year 11.
On Wednesday during the AFL Rookie Draft, his two worlds collided during maths class.
“My phone started going crazy, I didn’t know what was happening.
“I checked my phone and everyone was saying, ‘congratulations’ so I told my teacher I had to go.”
With several classmates gathered around, Turner accessed the AFL website and discovered he’d been picked up by the Kangaroos.
“I was shocked I think. I had no idea North was going to take me and had only spoken to them a few times. I went straight to the library where my mum works and told her the news.”
Although his main aim will be to make his AFL debut in the coming years, the midfielder knows how important completing his studies will be.
“This will obviously change my schooling arrangements because I’m only in Year 11, so I will have to finish my school in Melbourne and probably complete my VCE over two years.
“I want to finish Year 12 in case things don’t work out, so I have something to fall back on.
“It will be hard doing it without my mates but I think I can deal with that, being on an AFL list.”
Turner will join fellow newcomer Joel Tippett at North Melbourne on Sunday for their first day at the club. There, he knows he’d better get used to the inside of the gym as adding weight and improving his strength are now his main priorities.
“At this stage I’m excited but come Sunday, I’ll be pretty nervous.
“I know that being down at the club full-time will help me out so much and they’ll have everything I need to get better.
“It will take some time, but I will work harder than I ever have before and be at every training session and take everything in.
“I’m not going to miss a single beat because this is a great opportunity.”
