High-flyers of the class of 2011Emma Quayle
October 4, 2011120 AFL hopefuls are being put to a searching test.
THE draft combine was once known as the draft camp and it took place over three days in Canberra. Today, the four-day event starts at Etihad Stadium, with more players than ever getting the chance to show recruiters what they can do.
One-hundred-and-twenty players will be tested for speed, endurance, agility, kicking and handball skills. They will undergo medical screenings, psychological appraisals and be interviewed by AFL clubs.
For the clubs, the combine will either confirm what they have seen on football fields this season, or cause them to go back to the tapes for a second look. They will also see how the boys interact and compete, whether they push themselves as hard as they can. Already, 10 or 12 players are confirmed as early picks. Here's what the combine can tell us.
Jonathon Patton (Eastern Ranges)
Patton is a giant, which is appropriate, given Greater Western Sydney will choose him with one of its top three picks. We've seen him clunk contested marks all year, work opponents over and earn countless shots on goal. He can run, but what the combine will make clearer is his agility. His repeat sprint results will also be interesting, given he plays as a key, leading forward. He is quietly competitive, which may or may not come through in his testing.
Stephen Coniglio (Swan Districts)
Coniglio, who decided only recently to pursue football instead of cricket, could be one of the stars of the week. He is a quick, busy, lively midfielder. Like Patton, he seems GWS bound, so he won't get to do many interviews, but he has a bubbly nature and is highly professional. His competitive streak should get him going this week.
Dom Tyson (Oakleigh Chargers)
Tyson has inched up the draft order this year. He's a big chance to end up a Giant too, as one of the top three picks. He is a smart, instinctive onballer who knows how to get and use the ball. Think Jimmy Bartel or Simon Black. The big test will be his sprint times.If he produces good results, he'll firm as a top-three pick.
Chad Wingard (Sturt)
Wingard missed the end of the national championships due to concussion. A lively, bubbly player who throws himself around with courage, he can play in different parts of the ground. He shapes as a top-four, five or six draft pick. Not exceptionally quick and not known for having a huge tank, but he is very determined and will do well at everything.
Will Hoskin-Elliott (Western Jets)
Hoskin-Elliott gives this draft its point of difference - he is tall, pacy, creative and can shake games up. Has a shy nature, so recruiters will be keen to see how he interacts with the other boys and how competitive he is. Already he shapes as a top-10 draft pick and should do well in speed and endurance testing. A good camp could nudge him into the top four or five.
Toby Greene (Oakleigh Chargers)
A gusty, hard-working midfielder who keeps getting the ball, keeps getting into space and setting up teammates. Hasn't done a lot of the athletic testing before, given he's come from nowhere, so his results will reveal more about him. Plays like a desperado.
Matthew Buntine (Dandenong Stingrays)
Buntine is solid. He's calm and settled and can put a stop to on-field mayhem with his ability to read the play. Clubs with top-10 picks will be taking a good look at him because he is a safe bet and a popular teammate. It will be interesting to see how his leadership qualities come through. He hasn't proven he can play as a midfielder, and there is a query on his pace.
Billy Longer (Northern Knights)
Longer seems the standout ruckman. The Giants may grab him with one of their high picks, and Port Adelaide and Brisbane will be taking a good look too. Unfortunately, he tweaked a hamstring last week and won't be able to do much of the physical testing. He's a smart, impressive kid who is bound to interview well.
Adam Tomlinson (Oakleigh Chargers)
One of the higher-rated talls, someone who has shown some good, hard-working glimpses as a forward, and can compete down back as well. His endurance is well known, but can he get his 20-metre sprint time under three seconds?
Liam Sumner (Sandringham Dragons)
Sumner is all energy - quick, smart, skilful, willing to throw his body in. He ''plays'' quick so, if a club is picking him as a midfielder, they'll want to know he has endurance to match. Looks like being an early pick.
Elliott Kavanagh (Western Jets)
Kavanagh was a top-five prospect at the start of the season, but has had an interrupted year with a bad hamstring and then a quad problem. A midfielder, he has tested well before as part of the AIS-AFL Academy and has a big tank.
Read more:
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/highflyers-of-the-class-of-2011-20111003-1l5es.html#ixzz1ZjjuTkBt
