2017 Draft Camp/Combine

[one-eyed]

Draft Combine preview: Who will impress?

Callum Twomey 
afl.com.au
October 3, 2017

THE SEASON is done, but that doesn't mean footy has stopped.

On Tuesday, 85 AFL hopefuls will gather at Etihad Stadium for the start of the NAB AFL Draft Combine, which will run through to Friday.

Across the four days the players from around the country will take part in physical and psychological testing and be interviewed by clubs for what may be the final time before November's draft.

This year's combine looks a little different to previous years, with the famed beep test shuttle run replaced by the 'yo-yo' test, and the 3km time trial shortened to a 2km run.

AFL.com.au will have all the results exclusively as they come to hand during the week, but get up to speed with who could be in the mix to take them out across the week.

Kicking assessment
Test to be held Wednesday night

The handball test has been cut from the combine schedule, but the kicking test remains, where players take six kicks of various distances and angles and on both feet. This test is best for players who are good on their non-preferred foot, meaning Hunter Clark looms as a possible winner given his capacity to kick well over any distance on his preferred right foot and also his left side as well. Lochie O'Brien is also adept on both sides, while Jack Higgins is a very tidy kick on both feet so could be in contention.

Goalkicking assessment
Wednesday night

The goalkicking test has also survived despite some changes in the Combine testing format this year. It will see prospects taking six shots at goal from different areas inside the 50m-arc, including a couple of on-the-run kicks. Gryan Miers has a unique goalkicking action, but kicked seven on Grand Final night for the Geelong Falcons and has a very nifty goal sense, while Jack Higgins will also back himself to go well in this test after proving to be a dead-eye during the year. Oscar Allen booted 11 goals over the under-18 championships for WA and is a steady kick, while Lachlan Fogarty is another smaller type who has shown to be very handy around goal.

Standing vertical jump
Thursday morning
Combine record: Jordan Gallucci (89cm, 2016)

South Australian forward Jordan Houlahan will be a good show here. The marking forward has made a reputation for himself for flying for big grabs near goal, and he never seems to require much of a run up to boost himself towards the ball. Nathan Kreuger is another athletic South Australian who has shown real power in his game so it will be interesting to see how he tests across the week. Victorian defender Noah Balta may also challenge, having played in the ruck at stages this year despite being undersized.


Running vertical jump
Thursday morning
Combine record: Jared Brennan (102cm, 2002)

Fresh from a very good performance in the NAB AFL All Stars clash on Saturday, West Australian Larke medallist Oscar Allen could be one of the favourites for this test. He jumped 93cm in testing earlier this year, which comes through in his long reach when going for marks. Jack Petruccelle is another who should perform well in this test. The talented former basketballer flies for his marks for a shorter player but has genuine spring in his legs.

Sprint
Thursday morning
Combine record: Joel Wilkinson (2.75 seconds, 2010)

All eyes will be on Jack Petruccelle here. The Northern Knights speedster clocked in as the fastest player in the TAC Cup earlier this season when he ran 2.82 seconds over 20 metres. That's elite speed. He could have a challenger in Nick Shipley, though, who tested at 2.84 seconds earlier this year in NSW. Ed Richards, Zac Bailey, Jaidyn Stephenson and Noah Balta are others who could produce good times in the sprint test with powerful movement crucial to their respective games.

Agility
Thursday morning
Combine record: Stephen Hill (7.77 seconds, 2008)

Victorian midfielder/half-back Lochie O'Brien was one of the best performed prospects at the TAC Cup testing day earlier this year in the agility run, recording an elite time of 7.91 seconds. Anything under eight seconds in the agility test is good going. Charlie Spargo is still overcoming shoulder surgery but also tested excellently earlier in the year with a 7.83-second run, while Mitchell Podhajski (7.97 seconds), Matthew Ling (7.90 seconds) and Jordan Johnston (7.86 seconds) are others who could be in the mix.

Yo-yo test
Thursday afternoon
New event

The 'yo-yo' test replaces the beep test, so there'll be a new way for prospects' aerobic capacity to be measured. The new test sees players need to run between cones that are 20m apart at timed intervals. Participants have a 10-second recovery period between the 20m sprints where they are required to jog to another cone and then back to the starting point before the next shuttle begins. A prospect's score in the yo-yo test can be presented in total distance run, the level achieved or his maximum rate of oxygen consumption. For instance, reaching level 14.1 in the beep test was considered a very good run. In comparison, a basic conversion of level 14.1 in the beep test to the yo-yo is a level score of 22.2, which would be an accumulated distance of 1160 metres and a VO2 maximum of 61.1. So anything above the score of 22.2 is very good going.

2km time trial
Friday morning
New event

The 2km time trial replaces the 3km time trial which has closed the final event of the combine in recent years. The guys with elite running abilities should still be the clear winners, with Dylan Moore sure to be a chance. Lochie O'Brien has an elite athletics background and has had some time to prepare for the run, while Brayden Ainsworth would be Western Australia's best bet in this category.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-03/draft-combine-preview-who-will-impress

[one-eyed]

AFL Draft Combine Day 1

afl.com.au
5 October 2017

BRISBANE Lions academy prospect Connor Ballenden showed his excellent foot skills for a key position prospect by posting a perfect score in the kicking test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.

The 199cm teenager, who could attract a top-20 bid on draft night next month, had a perfect score with his six kicks, recording a 30/30 total.

He was the only player to ace the kicking test, which sees prospects kick to targets at different distances on their preferred and non-preferred foot.

Jack Higgins, Angus Schumacher, Jack Payne, Hayden McLean, Jackson Ross and Ned Reeves all scored 29 to be among the best performed as the testing got underway at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

Ballenden had an inconsistent year and has been used in a number of different roles throughout the season – including in the ruck and across half-back – after starting the year viewed as a possible top-five selection.

Schumacher was also prominent in the goalkicking test, with the Bendigo Pioneers midfielder one of four players to record perfect scores with their five shots.

Jordan Houlahan, Ben Miller and Ross were the others to go through the test without missing a goal, including kicks on the run, as set shots and on their non-preferred side.

Ballenden kicked four goals from five shots, while possible top-10 pick Andrew Brayshaw was also one of seven prospects to kick four goals and a behind from his five attempts.

The athletic screening will begin on Thursday, with jumps, sprints and the new 'Yo-yo' test to take place across the day.

STANDOUT PERFORMERS

Goalkicking test (score out of 30)
Jordan Houlahan 30
Angus Schumacher 30
Jackson Ross 30
Ben Miller 30
Jake Patmore 25
Ryley Stoddart 25
Changkuoth Jiath 25
Andrew Brayshaw 25
Connor Ballenden 25
Aaron Naughton 25
Aiden Bonar 25

Kicking test (score out of 30)
Connor Ballenden 30
Jack Higgins 29
Angus Schumacher 29
Jack Payne 29
Hayden McLean 29
Jackson Ross 29
Ned Reeves 29
Jordan Houlahan 28
Hunter Clark 28
Lloyd Meek 28

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-05/top-prospect-ballenden-kicks-perfect-score-at-combine

[one-eyed]

AFL Draft Combine Day 2

Callum Twomey 
afl.com.au
October 5, 2017 1:47 PM

AIDEN Bonar has underlined his elite athleticism on day three of the NAB AFL Draft Combine, with the talented prospect equaling the all-time standing vertical jump record.

The Dandenong Stingrays forward, who returned to the field in the middle of this season after two knee reconstructions, jumped 89cm in the test, drawing him level with Jordan Gallucci from last year's combine (Gallucci was drafted by Adelaide at pick No.15 last year).

But Bonar's impressive efforts didn't stop there. He also recorded a 2.90-second 20-metre sprint, placing him equal second in the speed test.

The 18-year-old looms as one of the most interesting prospects to place ahead of next month's NAB AFL Draft on the back of his injury history, but he is strong, powerful and explosive, and has remained in clubs' thoughts during his time on the sidelines.

Some recruiters see him pushing into the top-25 despite his limited exposure because of his knee issues.

Bonar was beaten to the top of the list in the 20-metre sprint by Northern Knights speedster Jack Petruccelle, who ran at 2.87 seconds to highlight is electric turn of pace.

Petruccelle entered the event as the clear favourite and ran 2.88, 2.87 and 2.87 in his three attempts. Kane Farrell impressed at 2.90 seconds, while Ben Miller and Nick Coffield, who both ran at 2.91, were also among the best performers.

Farrell, a neat-kicking left footer from the Bendigo Pioneers, and Miller, a tall forward from Western Australia, shared the honours in the agility test by running 8.10 seconds.

Another Bendigo pocket rocket Brent Daniels performed well with his sharp movement to run the agility test over 8.11 seconds.

STANDOUT  PERFORMERS

Smartspeed 20-metre sprint
Jack Petruccelle          2.87 seconds
Kane Farrell                2.90
Aiden Bonar                2.90
Ben Miller                   2.91
Nick Coffield               2.91

Smartspeed agility test
Kane Farrell           8.10 seconds
Ben Miller              8.10
Brent Daniels         8.11
Trent Mynott          8.20
Nathan Kreuger      8.21

Standing vertical jump
Aiden Bonar             89cm
Kyron Hayden          82cm
Harrison Jones         79cm
Jordan Houlahan      77cm
Jordan Johnston       75cm

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-05/bonar-turning-heads-with-stunning-combine-results

[Diocletian]

Bonar giving me a Boner....


Naish nowhere to be seen.....

[Yeahright]

Naish nowhere to be seen.....

Good, might drop his value a bit

[one-eyed]

AFL Draft Combine Day 3

afl.com.au
6 October 2017

ANDREW Brayshaw's ascent into top-10 calculations for next month's draft has continued after the midfielder became the first ever winner of the new Yo-Yo test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.

The Yo-Yo was introduced to the combine's format for the first time this year, replacing the time-honored beep test as it seen to better reflect the running patterns of the game at the top level.   

It is similar to the beep test in that players were required to run between cones that were placed 20 metres apart at timed intervals, and participants have a 10-second recovery period between the sprints where they need to jog to another cone and get back to the starting point before going again.

But prospects who did the test also spoke afterwards about the difference to the beep test, saying the Yo-Yo had a higher intensity and reached strong levels of running quicker than the beep. However, the Yo-Yo did not last nearly as long.

It lasted longest for Brayshaw, though, who reached level 22.4 of the Yo-Yo. This is viewed as approximately the equivalent of a level 14.8 or so beep test in terms of a player's maximum oxygen intake, although exact comparisons are difficult to make given the contrasts in the tests.

It continued what has been an outstanding second half of the year for Brayshaw, as the younger brother of Melbourne's Angus stakes his claim to be one of the earliest picks at next month's national draft.

He starred for the Sandringham Dragons in their TAC Cup finals series and is seen as one of the leading midfielders in the crop with his strong all-round game, including his aerobic base which he proved to recruiters on Thursday at Etihad Stadium.

His Vic Metro teammate Dylan Moore also underlined his aerobic capacity by finishing second by reaching level 22.3, while Matthew Ling, Alex Martini, Aaron Naughton and Jaidyn Stephenson all reached level 21.8.

Marking key forward Tom McCartin, the younger brother of St Kilda's Paddy, was also among the best by reaching level 21.5.

Yo-Yo test results

    Andrew Brayshaw 22.4 level
    Dylan Moore 22.3
    Matthew Ling 21.8
    Alex Martini  21.8
    Aaron Naughton 21.8
    Jaidyn Stephenson 21.8
    Callan England 21.6
    Nicholas Shipley 21.6
    Brent Daniels 21.5
    Ethan Floyd  21.5
    Tom McCartin 21.5
    Cillian McDaid 21.5
    Gryan Miers 21.5

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-05/brayshaws-draft-prospects-firming-after-yoyo-test

[one-eyed]

Combine wrap: Who boosted their draft stocks?

afl.com.au
9 October 2017

FOR ANOTHER year the NAB AFL Draft Combine is over, meaning there is nothing left to show for prospects wanting to find their way to an AFL club at next month's draft.

It was a new-look combine structure this year, with the 'beep test', 3km time trial, repeat sprints test and clean hands test all gone from the regular format. The Yo-Yo running test replaced the beep, and the time trial was cut down to 2km to better reflect what AFL clubs do in their pre-seasons.

But what does it all mean? AFL.com.au has answered some of the most important questions to come out of the four days at Etihad Stadium and how it might impact who goes where when names are called at the draft in Sydney on November 24.

Who boosted their stocks?

Andrew Brayshaw, the brother of Demon Angus, came into the combine on the back of a terrific end to the season for the Sandringham Dragons, and continued his rise with a strong set of testing results. He proved his endurance by taking out the Yo-Yo test and came fourth in the 2km time trial, while he was also among the top-10 in the agility and highlighted his sure skills by being among the best in the goalkicking test. He's a star and looks a top-10 pick.

Aiden Bonar was one of the stars of the week, equaling the all-time standing vertical jump record and also coming second in the 20-metre sprint with a time of 2.9 seconds. Clubs were pleased to see him out there given his knee injury history and he proved his power and athleticism.

Of some guys likely to feature later in the draft, Ben Miller's results will see clubs go back and have a look at his game. The West Australian key position prospect was equal winner of the agility test and ran 2.91 seconds in the sprint, while he also kicked a perfect score in the goalkicking. He arrived as a likely later pick or rookie, but that movement for a 196cm prospect is hard to find.

Ben Paton's speed, Brent Daniels' mix of agility, endurance and pace, Alex Martini's aerobic base, Tom McCartin's raw running and jumping, and Kane Farrell's leap and agility also made those prospects, who are likely to feature a touch later in draft proceedings, stand out. 


Who sat things out?

Plenty. The list of players unable to participate in any testing was long and included some higher profile names. Cam Rayner (knee), Paddy Dow (shoulder), Adam Cerra (shoulder), Luke Davies-Uniacke (toe/calf), Charlie Constable (hip) and Darcy Fogarty (knee) were among the likely first-rounders who couldn't test due to injury issues.

Talls Callum Coleman-Jones (knee), Tom De Koning (lacerated kidney) and Brayden Crossley (ankle) couldn't test, while Andrew McPherson (hamstring), Tom North (foot), Brandan Starcevich (quad), Charlie Spargo (shoulder) and mature-ager Tim Kelly (knee) were also forced to watch on from the stands. Lachie Fogarty, meanwhile, missed the whole week with illness.

There were others who found injury issues throughout the combine that prevented them from completing all testing. Hunter Clark had a knee problem, Patrick Naish dealt with a back spasm, Hugh Dixon had some hamstring tightness flare up and Harrison Petty sprained his ankle during the kicking tests and was ruled out for the rest of the week.

Brayden Ainsworth (hamstring), Oscar Allen (shin), Noah Balta (knee), Toby Wooller (ankle) and Ryley Stoddart (hamstring) also had injury complaints that stopped them from doing everything. 


How significant are the results at combine week?

It's case by case with this one. For some players it is important to test well, but that might be more for prospects who fit in later in the piece. For instance, Nick Shipley did his draft chances no harm with good results in the speed and endurance tests, so will further his chances.

For someone like Nathan Murphy, who hasn't been through much testing due to his cricket background, it was also important for clubs to see him in the screening and to see how he went, which included an impressive 6:21 minutes in the 2km time trial. But his is a rare case, because most of the data on players is already known by now.

That's not to say it doesn't matter. Clubs will have followed and tracked testing results from the start of the year and perhaps challenged prospects to improve in certain areas, so the combine gave them a chance to see whether they had done that or not. That's where clubs might have been hoping to see a better 2km time trial from ruckman Sam Hayes, who is the best big man in the draft but needs to lift his aerobic base.


Did the combine help shape the No.1 decision?

Not at all. The players most considered to be in the mix for that pick – Rayner, Davies-Uniacke, Cerra and Dow – all didn't participate due to injury, so the Lions (should they keep the top selection), wouldn't have learned much extra about their options this week.

The Lions have been strong on their desire to add midfielders to their list via this year's draft and trade period, so will that sway them more towards Davies-Uniacke, Dow – or even Brayshaw – ahead of Rayner, who at this stage is seen more as a half-forward to can play in the midfield than the other way around?

That will have to come into their considerations. But Rayner's ability to impact a game wherever he's playing, his power and explosiveness, and his dangerous presence around goals makes him a unique and very appealing option.

He, Dow and Davies-Uniacke are seen as the most likely contenders at this point, with Davies-Uniacke's finals performances for the Dandenong Stingrays at TAC Cup level reminding all of his serious talent as a big, strong and versatile midfielder.

Who is rising up the board?

Brayshaw has been the one, but his rise can't go much further. He now sits comfortably among the better midfielders in the draft pool and seems a likely early choice. Ed Richards didn't blow anyone away with his testing but his end to the season should see him ranked highly, while Gryan Miers could also sneak into the top-30 after what was a very good season as a small and creative forward.

Jordan Houlahan had a good combine in showing his leap, but he also finished the season well in South Australia and has some excited by his potential up forward. Matt Ling also could have pushed himself into the first 25 players picked after doing some nice things through the finals, while Bonar's testing and flashes late in the season might see a club grab him early on draft night.


2017 NAB AFL Draft Combine top performers

Goalkicking test (score out of 30)
Jordan Houlahan - 30
Angus Schumacher - 30
Jackson Ross - 30
Ben Miller - 30
Jake Patmore - 25
Ryley Stoddart - 25
Changkuoth Jiath - 25
Andrew Brayshaw - 25
Connor Ballenden - 25
Aaron Naughton - 25
Aiden Bonar - 25

Kicking test (score out of 30)
Connor Balldenden - 30
Jack Higgins - 29
Angus Schumacher - 29
Jack Payne - 29
Hayden McLean - 29
Jackson Ross - 29
Ned Reeves - 29
Jordan Houlahan - 28
Hunter Clark - 28
Lloyd Meek - 28

Smartspeed 20-metre sprint
Jack Petruccelle - 2.87 seconds
Kane Farrell - 2.90
Aiden Bonar - 2.90
Ben Miller - 2.91
Nick Coffield - 2.91
Ben Paton - 2.95
Brent Daniels - 2.95
Stefan Okunbar - 2.95
Jaidyn Stephenson - 2.95
Nicholas Shipley - 2.97

Smartspeed agility test
Kane Farrell - 8.10 seconds
Ben Miller - 8.10
Brent Daniels - 8.11
Trent Mynott - 8.20
Nathan Kreuger - 8.21
Aaron Naughton - 8.22
Mitchell Podhajski - 8.26
Oscar Allen - 8.27
Stefan Okunbar - 8.29
Matthew Ling - 8.30
Callan England - 8.30
Aiden Bonar - 8.30
Andrew Brayshaw - 8.30

Standing vertical jump
Aiden Bonar - 89cm
Kyron Hayden - 82cm
Ben Paton - 80cm
Harrison Jones - 79cm
Jordan Houlahan - 77cm
Jordan Johnston - 75cm
Jack Petruccelle - 74cm
Noah Balta - 74cm
Adam Sambono - 73cm
Hayden McLean - 73cm

Running vertical jump
Kyron Hayden - 103cm
Kane Farrell - 95cm
Jordan Houlahan - 95cm
Hayden McLean - 92cm
Noah Balta - 89cm
Harrison Jones - 88cm
Oscar Allen - 88cm
Tom McCartin - 88cm
Matthew Day - 87cm
Nathan Kreuger - 87cm

Yo-Yo test
Andrew Brayshaw - 22.4 level
Dylan Moore - 22.3
Matthew Ling - 21.8
Alex Martini - 21.8
Aaron Naughton - 21.8
Jaidyn Stephenson - 21.8
Callan England - 21.6
Nicholas Shipley - 21.6
Brent Daniels - 21.5
Ethan Floyd - 21.5
Tom McCartin - 21.5
Cillian McDaid - 21.5
Gryan Miers - 21.5

2km time trial
Dylan Moore - 6:09 minutes
Lochie O'Brien - 6:12
Gryan Miers - 6:13
Andrew Brayshaw - 6:14
Aiden Domic - 6:15
Angus Styles - 6:17
Changkuoth Jiath - 6:17
Nathan Murphy - 6:21
Jaidyn Stephenson - 6:21
Ethan Floyd - 6:25

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-06/combine-wrap-who-boosted-their-draft-stocks