Pocket rocketsBy Jason Phelan
Tue 07 Aug, 2012THE FIRST group of players invited to attend this year's NAB AFL Draft Combine has been released with as many as six potential first-round draft picks amongst the small defenders, small midfielders and small forwards.
Kevin Sheehan's take on the small defenders, midfielders and forwards at this year's national 2012 NAB AFL Draft Combine:
2011 NAB AFL Draft Combine - national levelJed Anderson NT Thunder (NEAFL) 18 178 cm 75 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: "“Left footed small midfielder/defender who is exceptional overhead for his size and a relentless tackler. Was an All-Australian at NAB AFL Under-18 level in 2011 and this year won NT’s Most Valuable Player for his performances in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 16.2 possessions and six tackles per match.”
Adam Carter South Fremantle (WAFL) 18 179 cm 70 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: "Small midfielder/defender who is extremely clean with his ball handling and ball use making good decisions and executing well. Averaged 16 disposals at an impressive 78 per cent for WA at NAB AFL Under 18 level. Brother to Mitch Carter at Carlton."
Sam Colquhoun Central Districts (SANFL) 17 179 cm 72 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: "Small defender who is a brilliant reader of the play and rarely fumbles. Set up many rebounds for SA in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 28.4 disposals and six marks across the five matches. Won SA’s Most Valuable Player and rewarded with All-Australian honours.”
Chris Deluca Subiaco (WAFL) 17 176 cm 87 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Small forward/midfielder with a penetrating left foot and explosive turn of speed. Has the ability to win his own ball on the inside as well as being a dangerous finisher on the outside. A strongly built player with an appetite for the contest who reads the play very well. Currently playing senior football for Subiaco.”
Will Hams Gippsland Power (TAC Cup) 18 180 cm 70 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Small midfielder/defender that can also push forward if required. His relentless attack on the football and the opposition are a real feature of his game. Is very neat in his disposal either by hand or foot and possesses a never say die attitude. Averaged 11.5 disposals in four games for Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.”
Nathan Hrovat Northern Knights (TAC Cup) 18 174 cm 76 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Dynamic small midfielder who is a prolific ball winner and great user of the footy. Averaged 25.2 disposals (10 contested) and 4.4 clearances in winning Vic Metro’s Most Valuable Player and All-Australian honours this year.”
Ben Kennedy Glenelg (SANFL) 18 174 cm 76 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Left-footed small forward/midfielder with explosive pace and rare agility. Prolific ball winner who excels at stoppages and is extremely dangerous around goals with set shots or snaps. In 2011 won All-Australian NAB AFL Under 18 Championship honours as a bottom-aged player and debuted at senior level. Backed it up this year with All-Australian honours, averaging 26.2 disposals.”
Harley Montgomery Sturt (SANFL) 18 177 cm 70 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Small defender who reads the play very well and is a smart decision maker. Uses his natural pace to close down opponents and set up the play. Impressive for SA in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and later debuted for Sturt at senior level.”
Jack Neade North Ballarat Rebels / NT Thunder 18 170 cm 64 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Pocket rocket midfielder/forward who attacks the ball aggressively and tackles strongly. Has terrific speed and endurance and is very creative in setting up the play. Had an outstanding NAB AFL Under-18 Championships averaging 18.4 disposals and 3.6 tackles in winning the Harrison Medal (Div 2 B&F) and All-Australian honours.”
Adam Saad Calder Cannons (TAC Cup) 18 177 cm 73 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Small defender with excellent disposal and penetration on his preferred left foot. Reads the play very well, is agile and a fantastic overhead mark. Sets up counter attacks from half back regularly and is averaging 16.1 disposals this season at TAC Cup level. In 2011 played for the World team in NAB AFL Under 16 Championships and won the Most Valuable Player award. ”
Nathan Stark Glenelg (SANFL) 18 177 cm 70 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Small midfielder who bodylines the ball and is aggressive in the contest winning plenty of one-on-one footy. Consistent performer for SA at NAB AFL Under 18 level averaging 18.8 disposals (6.8 contested) and 2.6 tackles.”
Jarrod Stokes Darwin (NEAFL) 17 175 cm 63 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Small midfielder/forward with brilliant leg speed and very clean hands. Is very composed under pressure and attacks the ball at pace. Averaged 12.2 possessions at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. Can be very dangerous when playing forward and has the ability to take opposition defenders on.”
Shannon Taylor Claremont (WAFL) 18 177 cm 72 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Composed small midfielder who can play an inside or outside role. Has excellent pace as shown when he was the fastest player over 20 metres (2.86 seconds) at last year’s NAB AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium when considered for the mini draft. Represented WA again in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging 14.5 disposals, four inside 50s and three tackles. Good user of the ball by hand and foot.”
Tom Temay Sandringham Dragons (TAC Cup) 18 179 cm 74 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Small defender/midfielder who is a great competitor and is rarely beaten in a one-on-one contest. Prolific ball winner for Vic Metro averaging 18.8 disposals at 77.3% efficiency in NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. Father Paul played 52 games for St Kilda.”
Jack Viney Oakleigh Chargers (TAC Cup) 18 178 cm 80 kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Left-footed small inside midfielder who attacks the ball with ferocity and tackles strongly. Was prominent for SA at NAB AFL Under 16 level in 2010 before shifting back to Victoria and playing for Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships in 2011. Signed father/son to Melbourne, where father Todd played. Played the last two NAB AFL Under 18 Championship matches for Vic Metro, this year averaging 17 disposals and four clearances.”
2011 NAB AFL Draft Combines - state level MELBOURNEAnthony BonnadioClub: Northern Knights - TAC Cup
Age: 18
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 73 kg
Andrew GalucciClub: Calder Cannons - TAC Cup
Age: 19
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 65 kg
Sean HetheringtonClub: Calder Cannons - TAC Cup
Age: 17
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 72 kg
Brady JonesClub: Clarence - Tas State League
Age: 18
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Sam MartynClub: Murray Bushrangers - TAC Cup
Age: 18
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 74 kg
Mark WalshClub: North Launceston - Tas State League
Age: 18
Height: 178cm
Weight: 74 kg
Harry O'MearaClub: Bendigo Pioneers - TAC Cup
Age: 17
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Kenny OngClub: Sandringham Dragons - TAC Cup
Age: 18
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 72 kg
Nick RipponClub: North Ballarat Rebels - TAC Cup
Age: 18
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 79 kg
Anthony TipungwutiClub: Gippsland Power - TAC Cup
Age: 19
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 72 kg
Jordan WilliamsClub: Eastern Ranges -TAC Cup
Age: 18
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 77 kg
ADELAIDETodd McKayClub: South Adelaide - SANFL
Age: 17
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 74 kg
Ben RioliClub: St Marys - NT
Age: 18
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 62 kg
PERTHBayden AntonioClub: West Perth - WAFL
Age: 17
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 64 kg
Dylan ClarkeClub: Subiaco - WAFL
Age: 20
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 60 kg
Shaquille McKenzieClub: East Perth - WAFL
Age: 18
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 67 kg
Shane NelsonClub: West Perth - WAFL
Age: 19
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 73 kg
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/143899/default.aspx