Long and short of the AFL draft is smaller players (Age)

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Long and short of the AFL draft is smaller players
Emma Quayle | September 29, 2009

The physical make-up of draftees this year will change.

NOT SO long ago, it wasn't only difficult to get drafted if you stood less than six feet. It was hard to even get looked at.

In 2007, only six players under 180 centimetres were asked to the AFL's annual draft camp. Last year, it was six again. The likes of Cyril Rioli, Chris Masten, Addam Maric and Nic Suban were always going to get drafted, but Michael Walters and Mitch Farmer had to wait until late in the draft, while Aaron Joseph and Jared Petrenko had to hang out until rookie draft day.

Mathew Stokes and Alwyn Davey were never asked to any talent camps, and it wasn't until they hit their 20s that they were granted a chance. Jarrod Harbrow, Robin Nahas, Jason Porplyzia, Matt Campbell and Jake King are among the untested others who have waited until the rookie draft.

But are times changing? Tomorrow, 12 small, smart and speedy young footballers under 180 centimetres will arrive in Canberra for this year's draft camp, more than have ever been asked along before. A few of them will certainly be drafted, Geelong onballer Allen Christenson, Claremont's Travis Colyer among them as well as Queenslander Josh Thomas, who has rejected an offer from the Gold Coast to enter the draft, and Lewis Jetta, the cousin of Melbourne player Neville, who at 20, looks a likely first-round pick after an eye-catching season for Swan Districts.

Kallen Geary, Dylan McNeil and others have strong claims too, while the rest at least have the chance to run and jump around in front of the recruiters - to push their case, an opportunity they would possibly not have been granted even two or three seasons ago.

What does this mean? The number of smalls invited to the camp is, in one sense, a reflection of how few star tall prospects are lurking in this year's draft pool. Eight ruckman will be tested this week, but only three of them are 198 centimetres or taller and only two or three would have been drafted had they been in last year's draft pool, if that. The clubs who loaded up on tall prospects last year were smart. But it also reflects a shift in the game and the increasing importance of pace, smart and quick decision-making and clean foot skills.

If you can kick, think, run and compete, said Melbourne recruiting manager Barry Prendergast, then you're in with a chance no matter how small you are.

''There's no doubt. And I think we're a lot more open minded these days about who we pick,'' said Prendergast, pointing out that West Coast's 2006 premiership team contained Ben Cousins, Daniel Kerr, David Wirrpanda and Michael Braun, all under 180 centimetres. ''Kicking's always been important, but there's such a huge premium placed on it now that, if you had a choice, you'd take the bloke who's two or three centimetres shorter but had better kicking skills every day of the week.

''You look at that, and you look at how important small forwards and their pressure are these days. Every team needs one now, and clubs are almost running around with two, which means you need to find players to match up on them. You still need tall, versatile defenders, and you need to take a player's size into account with whatever position you hope he can play. You need to know they can compete, but I do think some of those stereotypes don't match up with how the game's being played at the moment. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that there is more scope and more chances for the smaller blokes right now.''

This year's draft camp will, for the first time, feature a specific kicking drill, where players, at a moment's notice, must hit targets on each foot. The introduction of the test would send a message to prospective players, said AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan, that getting their skills spot on would open doors, no matter what size they were. ''What we're telling everyone is that kicking skills are essential and that, if you can kick, you've got a chance.''

The AFL draft camp begins today and runs until Friday at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. Today's program includes height/weight/skinfolds/arm length and handspan measurements, as well as medical and vision checks. The main physical testing is tomorrow morning.


Draft camp invitees under 180cm

2007

Cyril Rioli 178cm (Hawthorn, drafted)
Addam Maric 177cm (Melbourne, drafted)
Mitchell Farmer 179cm (Port Adel, drafted)
Aaron Joseph 178cm (Carlton, rookie)
Chris Masten 179cm (West Coast, drafted)
Jared Petrenko 176cm (Adelaide, rookie)

2008

Dylan McNeil 178cm (not drafted)
Chris Hall 175cm (Fremantle, drafted)
Jamie Sheahan 178cm (not drafted)
Nic Suban 179cm (Fremantle, drafted)
Mitchell Banner 178cm (Port Adel, drafted)
Michael Walters 177cm (Fremantle, drafted)

2009

Callum Bartlett (Geelong Falcons, 179cm)
Allen Christensen (Geelong Falcons, 176cm)
Travis Colyer (Claremont, 175cm)
Kallen Geary (Bendigo Pioneers, 177cm)
Robbie Hicks (Calder Cannons, 176cm)
Andrew Hooper (North Ballarat Rebels, 172cm)
Lewis Jetta (Swan Districts, 178cm)
Dylan McNeil (Murray Bushrangers, 178cm)
Byron Sumner (Eagles, SA, 174cm)
Josh Thomas (Gold Coast, 178cm)
Jason Tutt (NSW/ACT Rams, 176cm)
Derick Wanganeen (Port Adel, 172cm)

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