National draft combine/camp

[one-eyed]

National Combine - Tall Defenders

TASMANIA'S Brody Mihocek and Victorian Michael Talia lead an impressive group of tall defenders invited to take part in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft Combine.

The group of 14 AFL hopefuls, released on Tuesday, will have the opportunity to push their cases for selection at the NAB AFL Draft at the combine to be held over four days at Etihad Stadium from October 4.

The list includes nine players from Victoria, three from Western Australia and two from Tasmania.

Mihocek impressed for division two champions Tasmania and Talia put in several eye-catching performances for division one title winners Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in July and were rewarded with All Australian honours.

"Mihocek is a powerful athlete at 191cm who can play at both ends of the ground," AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.

"His marking was impressive throughout the championships along with his ball-winning ability.

"He looks a really draftable type."

Both players have strong football backgrounds with Mihocek the son of former Essendon half-forward Jack, while Talia is the brother of Adelaide Crows' first-round draft pick Daniel.

They're part of a group that will come in for some close scrutiny from AFL recruiters at the combine.

"Tall defenders are much sought after in the draft," Sheehan said.

"To potentially be able to match up on a powerful AFL tall forward, they must have very good repeat speed, sure hands and be composed under pressure.

"The draft combine tests for repeat speed with its six by 30m test with three players pitted against each other whilst the 'Matthew Lloyd clean hands test' evaluates sure ball handling and composure.

"Both tests produce vital information when assessing tall defenders."


2011 NAB AFL Draft Combine - National

Tall Defenders                                   

Victoria:

Andrew Boseley
Club: Geelong Falcons
Age: 18
Height: 194cm
Weight: 80kg

“Played three games for Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships.  He is a great attacking player and he constantly marks the ball from opposition forward entries.”


Alex Brown
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Age: 17
Height: 191cm
Weight: 80kg

“Represented Vic Metro in two games at the NAB AFL Under 18 championships, averaging 14.5 disposals and 4 marks.  He has very good pace and mobility for a player of his size and he can play tall and small especially when back. He is a very good mark and spoils well with his closing speed.”

Ben Darrou
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Age: 17
Height: 190cm
Weight: 93kg

“Represented Vic Metro at the AFL Under 18 Championships averaging 14.5 disposals, 4 marks 4.5 tackles per game.  His kicking is a real feature and combined with his vision make him a real attacking weapon from defence. He possesses good natural size and athletic ability and he does not shirk any contests.”

Simon Deery
Club: Gippsland Power
Age: 17
Height: 192cm
Weight: 84kg

“Represented Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships playing two games and averaging 3.5 tackles a game.  He can play either end and have an impact on the game.”

Sam Frost
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Age: 17
Height: 194cm
Weight: 87kg

“Represented Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships averaging 14 disposals a game. He is a hard runner who loves to back himself to win the footy and take the game on. He is very good overhead and also has a huge leap.”

Jordan Kelly
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Age: 18
Height: 191cm
Weight: 81kg

“Represented Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships averaging 10 disposals and three tackles a game.  He is a good size and has the ability to win his own ball.  He has a good long kick and can play well one on one.”

Tim Mohr
Club: Casey Scorpions
Age: 22
Height: 195cm
Weight: 98kg

“Former Tasmanian who reads the play well and has the ability to come off his opponent and impact the contest. He is rarely beaten one on one and strong in the air. He can set up counter attacks from defense. He has averaged 15.6 disposals and four marks in VFL this year.”

Michael Talia
Club: Calder Cannons
Age: 18
Height: 191cm
Weight: 87kg

“Represented Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships providing good run and drive from the defensive end, averaging 16.2 disposals and 5.5 marks.  He is extremely competitive and a very good overhead mark.  He capped off the championships with All Australian Honours.”

Adam Tomlinson
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Age: 17
Height: 192cm
Weight: 85kg

“Part of the 14th intake into the AIS/AFL Academy. Represented Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships playing back and forward.  He is a very good athlete with great passion for the game. He uses the ball well and takes a very strong mark in a contested situation and presents well when he plays forward.”

TASMANIA:

Brody Mihocek
Club: Burnie
Age: 18
Height: 191cm
Weight: 86kg

"Represented Tasmania at the NAB AFL U18 Championships averaging 16.6 possessions a game (9 contested).  Has very good speed and is a powerful kick of the footy.  Provides a good marking option up forward as well as in defence. He is an All Australian at Under 18 level in 2011."
 
Henry Schade
Club: North Hobart
Age: 17
Height: 194 cm
Weight: 81 kg

"Represented Tasmania at the NAB AFL U18 Championships.  Provides good run from the defensive end and uses the football very well. He has the size and athletic scope to play on tall forwards at senior level."
 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Nathan Blee
Club: East Perth
Age: 21
Height: 192cm
Weight: 80kg

"Has very good closing speed, body positioning when one on one and he uses the ball well.  Can get off his opponent and create run from defense."
 
Alex Howard
Club: Swan District
Age: 18
Height: 190cm
Weight: 86kg

"Represented Western Australia at the NAB AFL U18 Championships, playing in 4 matches where his marking and reading the play showed out as his strengths."
 
Jordan Lockyer
Club: West Perth
Age: 18
Height: 190cm
Weight: 85kg

"Represented Western Australia at the NAB AFL U18 Championships working at 75% disposal effectiveness over 5 games.  He can also go forward and provide a mobile marking target. He is the son of former West Coast Eagles star Andrew Lockyer."

2011 NAB AFL Draft Combines – State

Tall Defenders

Melbourne:

Jarrod Bouman
Club: Box Hill Hawks
Age: 21
Height: 196cm
Weight: 90kg

Ben Kerton
Club: Northern Knights
Age: 17
Height: 190 cm
Weight: 86 kg

Shaun Marusic
Club: Gippsland Power
Age:  19
Height: 194 cm
Weight: 90 kg

Hugh Sandilands
Club: Port Melbourne
Age: 22
Height: 189 cm
Weight: 90 kg

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/120559/default.aspx
http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-3020-0-0-0&sID=69677&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=16572131&sectionID=69677

[one-eyed]

National Combine -  Medium Midfielders
By Jason Phelan 3:29 PM Tue 16 Aug, 2011

The medium midfielders, with Kevin Sheehan's comments ....

Tasmania

Daniel Joseph
Club: Glenorchy
Age: 17 Height: 184cm Weight: 74kg
"Represented Tasmania at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging 13.5 possessions and 4.5 tackles a game. A very good kick of the ball and has good vision/decision marking skills."
 
Western Australia

Steven Verrier
Club: South Fremantle
Age: 18 Height: 188 cm Weight: 82 kg
"Represented Western Australia at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, showing his great dash and skills, including ball usage. He is very quick and his decision making is of a high quality."
 
South Australia

Cameron Ellis-Yolmen
Club: Woodville West-Torrens
Age: 18 Height: 191 cm Weight: 88 kg
"Represented South Australia at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships in one game, showing clean hands and creativity with 13 disposals and four tackles. He has physical strength, especially at stoppages and he is also a very good mark. He is good in one-on-one contests."
 
Mitchell Grigg
Club: Norwood
Age: 18 Height: 181 cm Weight: 85 kg
"He is very good in close with his hands and he uses the ball very effectively from contested situations.  He also has a very accurate left foot kick. He has averaged 24.4 possessions at 69 per cent efficiency, earning him All Australian honours."

 
Josh Waldhunter
Club: Central Districts
Age: 18 Height: 183 cm Weight: 83 kg
"Represented South Australia at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships playing in all five games. His attack on the ball and team orientation stood out along with his hard edge. He has a penetrating kick."
                                 
Victoria

Lachlan Dalgleish
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Age: 18 Height: 185 cm Weight: 77 kg
"A long penetrating left foot kick who plays as a half-forward or wingman. He has a high ability to kick multiple goals. A real dasher who ran third in a heat of the Stawell Gift this year."

Nick Haynes
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Age: 19 Height: 191 cm Weight: 76 kg
"Represented Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under 18 championships, playing three matches.  He has great agility, a good overhead mark and very good running and aerobic capacity."
 
Elliott Kavanagh
Club: Western Jets
Age: 18 Height: 187 cm Weight: 78 kg
"Part of the 14th intake into the AIS/AFL Academy.  He has excellent endurance and game sense. He had an injury-interrupted year but is now back on track. Uses the ball well, is a strong mark overhead, a good decision maker. He is a real competitor and enjoys winning the contested ball."
 
Jackson Merrett
Club: Geelong Falcons
Age: 18 Height: 187 cm Weight: 70 kg
"Represented Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. He has a terrific work rate and his run and carry is game breaking. His ability to find space and work to position is very good."
 
Jack Newnes
Club: Northern Knights
Age: 18 Height: 184 cm Weight: 73 kg
"Represented Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging 14 possessions. He reads the ball well and is versatile enough to play back, midfield or forward. He has a penetrating kick, good user inside and he is a solid tackler."
 
Sebastian Ross
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Age: 18 Height: 187 cm Weight: 82 kg
"Represented Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging 14.5 possessions and four tackles a game.  His strengths are his work rate, contested footy, preparation and leadership. He is the cousin of Jobe Watson."
 
Tom Sheridan
Club: Calder Cannons
Age: 17 Height: 185 cm Weight: 76 kg
"Represented Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging 14 possessions. He has very good endurance and has the ability to bring others into the game by clever use of the ball by hand or foot."
 
Liam Sumner
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Age: 18 Height: 182 cm Weight: 73 kg
"Part of the 14th intake into the AIS/AFL Academy. Represented Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging 14.8 possessions. He is a very quick and agile midfielder. He uses the ball well, breaks the lines and is ferocious at the contest.  He is very good overhead and he has some real penetration with his kicking."
 
Dom Tyson
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Age: 18 Height: 186 cm Weight: 82 kg
"Left footer who represented Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging 22 disposals a game, 11 contested possessions and 3.6 tackles. He has the ability to dispose of the ball even when under pressure or being tackled. He is a very clean player and a good decision maker. He was awarded All Australian honours."
 
Max Warren
Club: Eastern Ranges
Age: 18 Height: 182 cm Weight: 78 kg
"He is a smart user by hand or foot and he can play inside or outside. He is poised with the ball and very agile."
 
Jason Williams
Club: Calder Cannons
Age: 17 Height: 188 cm Weight: 78 kg
"He has a strong ability to carry the ball and break the lines. He marks well and has shown he is dangerous when pushing forward. He is very competitive and tackles strongly. He is the cousin of former Hawk and Bomber, Mark Williams."
 
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/121127/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

2011 NAB AFL Draft Combine - Small Forwards and Midfielders
By Jason Phelan
Tue 23 Aug, 2011

Western Australia:

Stephen Coniglio
Club: Swan District
Age: 17
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 80 kg
"He was part of the 14th intake into the AIS/AFL Academy.  He represented WA at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships averaging 22.4 disposals, 10.4 contested possessions and four tackles.  He has fantastic breakaway pace and the ability to really impact on the scoreboard. He won All Australian honours, best player for WA and the Larke Medal for the best player of the Championships." - Kevin Sheehan, AFL National Talent Manager

Cam Eardley
Club: East Fremantle
Age: 18
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 74 kg
"Represented WA at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships playing in all five games, averaging 14.6 disposals. He is good overhead for his size and is a strong tackler. He has very good endurance and is a contested ball player."

Bradley Hill
Club: West Perth
Age: 18
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 72 kg
"He is the younger brother of Fremantle's Stephen Hill. He represented WA at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, showing terrific speed and agility. He is a team-oriented player, capable of running all day. "

Tom Mitchell
Club: Claremont
Age: 18
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 73 kg
"Part of the 13th Intake AIS-AFL Academy. He is a left footer with outstanding ball winning ability and excels at the clearances. He missed the early games in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships but was a star for WA in the final two matches averaging 28 disposals. He signed under the father son rule to Sydney Swans where his father Barry was a star, with the drafts father son bidding system deciding his ultimate Draft position in October."

Shane Nelson
Club: West Perth
Age: 18
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 73 kg
"Represented WA at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships playing in all games averaging 22 disposals.  He is very effective with his disposals and works tirelessly to get to as many contests as possible. A quick player who can play in the midfield and can go forward and kick goals."

Murray Newman
Club: Swan District
Age: 17
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 67 kg
"Represented WA at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.  He played in four games averaging 20 disposals a game.  He used the ball very well and linked up showing good run. Is a team oriented player who loves to get in and under to get the contested footy."


Victoria:

Taylor Adams
Club: Geelong Falcons
Age: 17
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 80 kg
"Represented Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 18.8 possessions and four tackles over four games. An exceptional leader and role model for other players. He is a clean ball handler and strong around contested footy. He was selected as an All Australian in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships."

Toby Greene
Club: Oakleigh Charges
Age: 17
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 78 kg
"He is a quality contested ball winner with excellent decision making skills.  His evasive skills in traffic are also very good while he is still able to find the ball in space. As well as winning the ball, he has elite defensive skills. He has good endurance (14+ beep) and is able to cover plenty of ground. He was another who excelled at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 24.5 disposals and winning All Australian honours and MVP for Vic Metro"

Alex Greenwood
Club: Eastern Ranges
Age: 17
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 71 kg
"Represented Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. His clearance work around stoppages, clean hands and creativity with the ball is of the highest quality and his kicking is very good on his preferred left side."

Will Hoskin-Elliott
Club: Western Jets
Age: 17
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 73 kg
"Part of the 14th intake into the AIS/AFL Academy.  He represented Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging over 14 possessions including 7 inside 50's a game. He has good endurance and breakaway speed.  He also has a good mark overhead, uses the ball well and is a good decision maker. He was very impressive at the NAB AFL Championships, winning All Australian honours."

Continued to build a case for selection inside the top-10 at this year's NAB AFL Draft with a best-on-ground performance in the Jets' big win against Geelong at the weekend.

Hoskin-Elliott, who was part of the group of small forwards and midfielders invited to the NAB AFL Draft Combine on Tuesday, gathered 30 possessions, took 12 marks and kicked a goal in the 58-point win at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.

His exploits for the Jets followed a string of outstanding performances for Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships that saw him earn All Australian honours.     

The long-striding winger is a booming right foot kick and Jets' coach Steve Kretiuk says Hoskin-Elliott has worked hard to make himself a well-rounded player in his final year of under-age football.

"As a winger he has that nous where he knows when to push back, but we've seen that he has more confidence to push forward and kick goals this year," Kretiuk says.

"He can put the pedal down and he has the breakaway speed. With his very long stride he can get that distance between himself and his opponent quite easily.

"One thing he's really stepped up this year is his defensive pressure. He's really done a lot of work on his tackling and his ability to cause his opposition to turn the ball over. It's a big part of footy now and he's certainly embraced that.

"He's also very capable overhead. We saw on the weekend he was able to take contested marks with four or five players around him. He was really able to jump through those packs and take the mark."

Alex Woodward
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Age: 18
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 79 kg
"Represented Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under-18 championships. An inside midfielder who reads the play well around stoppages and uses the ball well by foot. He has a great work ethic and is excellent in one on one marking contests for his size. He wins the contested ball, is very creative with his hands and is very team oriented."

Queensland

Peter Yagmoor
Club: Morningside
Age: 17
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 83 kg
"He spent the pre-season with Gold Coast Suns and has improved his endurance levels. He is a very penetrating left foot kick who can play forward/back/midfield. He covers the ground well. His kicking, clean hands, pace and tackling are his real strengths. He was a consistent player for Queensland in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/121736/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

2011 NAB AFL Draft Combine - Ruckmen
By Jason Phelan
Wed 07 Sep, 2011

 
Victoria:

Jackson Coleman
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Age: 19
Height: 196 cm
Weight: 90 kg
"Left-footed ruckman/tall forward who is strong overhead and an accurate kick for goal. Represented Australia at under-19 level in the Cricket World Cup in New Zealand in 2010 but focused on AFL this season with encouraging results. He has averaged 14 disposals, seven marks and has kicked 34 goals this year for the Dragons."
 
Leif Cope
Club: Eastern Ranges
Age: 19
Height: 203 cm
Weight: 98 kg
"Athletic ruckman who is still developing. He shows good ability below the knees and has averaged 11.4 disposals, four marks and three clearances with the Rangers this year."
 
Tom Downie
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Age: 18
Height: 205 cm
Weight: 95 kg
"Represented Australia in the World Under-17 Basketball Championships in Germany 2010 before playing football for St Patricks College Ballarat this year, then joining the Rebels at the end of the season for two matches, averaging 13 disposals, showing outstanding natural talent."
 
Todd Elton
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Age: 18
Height: 197 cm
Weight: 92 kg
"Part of the 14th intake into the AIS/AFL Academy.  He represented VIC Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships playing in all five games. He has the ability to gather the ball below his knees very well and dispose effectively. He shows great character and leadership on the field, averaging 12.6 disposals and six marks for the Stingrays this year."
 
Jay Lever
Club: Geelong Falcons
Age: 18
Height: 200 cm
Weight: 86 kg
"Represented Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships playing in all five games and averaging 10 hit-outs. His strengths include his kicking ability, speed and agility, positioning, ability to play a required role, and marking when in front or on a lead. He has averaged 12.2 disposals and four marks for the Falcons."
 
Billy Longer

Club: Northern Knights 
Age: 18
Height: 202 cm
Weight: 96 kg?
"All Australian Under-18 ruckman who is mobile and excels at stoppages. He can go forward and be dangerous with his marking and speed off the mark. He has averaged 11.7 disposals and four marks with the Knights this year."

Longer's skill set puts him in a group of young players Greater Western Sydney can build a team around. Rohan Welsh, the coach of Vic Metro, is glowing in his praise of Longer's qualities.

"He led the team from the word go on and off the field," Welsh says.

"He is a real leader, has a great personality and he's a really good footballer. He's worked and worked and he's got his just reward.

"He plays a bit like Dean Cox. He's got a big motor, he can run all day, take a big mark and he's hard at it. He's a beauty." 
 
Fletcher Roberts
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Age: 18
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 84 kg
"Tall athletic player who can play at both ends of the ground and in the ruck. He reads the play very well, has good skills and uses his body extremely well. He had 21 disposals and kicked three goals in his season best game against Gippsland on the weekend."
 
Callum Sinclair
Club: Port Melbourne
Age: 21
Height: 200 cm
Weight: 98 kg
"Tall forward/ruckman who competes well in the air, is extremely mobile and reads the play well."
 
Cameron Tudor
Club: Geelong Falcons
Age: 19
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 78 kg
"Shows good athletic ability in the ruck and marking contests which has certainly been a highlight. Works hard to play his role for the team and is very team oriented."
 
Western Australia:

Myles Bolger
Club: South Fremantle
Age: 18
Height: 201 cm
Weight: 90 kg
"Part of the 13th intake into the AIS/AFL Academy.  He played for WA in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 17.4 hit outs a game. He is a very physical ruckman with a terrific work rate who has good overall understanding of the game."
 
Corey Gault
Club: Swan District
Age: 18
Height: 197 cm
Weight: 84 kg
"Represented WA at the NAB AFL Under -8 Championships. He played in three games, averaging 10 hit-outs, after injury had restricted his availability. He is a naturally a very athletic player who is still developing his craft in the ruck."
 
Tasmania

Benjamin Brown
Club: Glenorchy
Age: 18
Height: 198 cm
Weight: 89 kg
"Represented Tasmania in three games at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. He averaged 11.7 hit outs and 3.3 clearances a game. Strong marking player with an impressive natural leap." 

https://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/122933/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

The 2011 AFL Draft Combine (Camp) is this week:
 
9am Wednesday, October 5
Sprints/agility (jumping)
Stadium surface
 
9am Thursday, October 6
Handpass and kicking assessment
Stadium surface
 
1.30pm Friday October 7
3km time trial
Stadium surface

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/124559/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Some results from the Draft Camp today: (Jason Phelan twitter):

20m sprints on at #AFLCombine now. Small fwds are on. Ahmed Saad has some serious speed. Geelong's Devon Smith right up there too.

Med mids doing 20m sprints at #AFLCombine now. Rebels Dalgleish quickest. Sandi's Sumner & Pioneers Kerridge not far behind.

The query on Dom Tyson has been his pace but he ran 20m sprint in just a shade over 3s which is tidy enough.

20m sprint at #AFLCombine - med fwds: Crozier, Markworth, Williams all quick as expected but Wingard also ran sub-3s which is great for him.

20m sprints at #AFLCombine - med defs: Brad Crouch, Jed Bews & Elliot Yeo all sub-3s. Matt Buntine & Brandon Ellis just over.

Sandi's Alex Woodward did well with sub-3s 20m. Known as an inside mid (sometimes code for slow) but has changed that perception

[one-eyed]

Richmond recruiter Matt Clarke discussing the draft combine:

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/roarvisionarchive/tabid/11454/contentid/393869/default.aspx

[Dubstep Dookie]

Salivating stuff....

If only we had more pics (and higher ones to boot)

[one-eyed]

Saad, Taylor set sprint mark
By Paul Daffey
Wed 05 Oct, 2011

MATURE-AGED prospect Ahmed Saad has increased his chances of being drafted by posting the equal fastest time in the sprint event at the NAB AFL Draft Combine this morning.

Saad, 22, plays for Northern Knights and this year won the Fothergill-Round Medal for the most promising VFL player.

His 2.86 seconds in the 20m event at Etihad Stadium was equal to the time of Claremont 17-year-old Shannon Taylor, who is eligible for trade by GWS.

Taylor is a classy small forward and midfielder who has been a member of this year's AIS-AFL Academy squad.

Two prospects finished 0.01 second slower than Saad and Taylor: West Perth small midfielder Shane Nelson and North Ballarat Rebels medium midfielder Lachlan Dalgleish.

Nelson, 18, is a rover who can kick goals.

Dalgleish, 18, is a wingman with a penetrating left boot who finished third in a heat of this year's Stawell Gift.

Brad Hill, the West Perth wingman who is the brother Fremantle gun Stephen, ran 2.88 seconds while Hayden Crozier, Alex Woodward and Daniel Markworth ran 2.89 seconds.

Crozier, 17, is a medium forward with Eastern Ranges who became known around Australia after taking a spectacular mark for Vic Metro in this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Woodward, 18, was a co-captain, with Jack Williams, of the Sandringham Dragons team that won this year's TAC Cup Grand Final.

Markworth, 18, is a medium forward who impressed with Calder Cannons this year in his first season in the elite system.

Markworth last year concentrated on his year 12 studies with great success; he is now a bio-medical science student at Melbourne University.

The record for the 20m sprint is 2.75 seconds, set last year by the then captain of Queensland's team in the national under-18 championships, Joel Wilkinson.

Wilkinson, a 186cm midfielder, played seven games for Gold Coast this year.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/124661/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer

[one-eyed]

Talk is tops for Tigers
richmondfc.com.au
Wed 05 Oct, 2011


Richmond Recruiting Officer Matt Clarke has provided an interesting insight into the AFL Draft Combine, being held this week at Etihad Stadium.

Clarke told ‘Roar Vision’ that notwithstanding the various testing the prospective draftees undergo (ie skills, sprinting, jumping, aerobic capacity, agility, psychological), there is one determining factor that is a standout in the eyes of the Tiger talent scouts . . .

“We find at draft camp that the most important part for us is the interview process,” Clarke said.

“We watch the kids play . . . we might have a data base of 40 games for individual players - we’ve analysed them to the nth degree on their football stuff, and we get all the data from their testing here.  But the interview process is really important, to get to know the kids.

“We speak to a lot of kids here at draft camp, we might speak to 50 kids.  We’ve already spoken to a lot of our priority kids at home . . . We only get to spend 20 minutes with the kids here, but when we can go out to their homes, meet their parents and the family, we might spend an hour, and hour and a half in their lounge-rooms, and get to know them really well.”

And, the Tigers are crystal clear in terms of what they’re seeking in those interview situations . . .

“We’re obviously looking for the really driven and motivated kids that are going to make themselves the best,” Clarke said.

“There are obviously a lot of talented kids here, and they’re here for a reason - because they’ve actually got genuine football talent.

“But in the interviews, we’re looking for those really driven and motivated kids.
“Those are the guys who will get themselves to be AFL players, and be the best.
“A lot of these guys are going to be very good footballers, but whether they’re going to be elite players is what we’re looking for.

“It comes out in the interview process when we speak to them . . .”

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/124672/default.aspx

[Penelope]

Thats the area that all the armchair experts really have no idea about.

No matter how much someone watches these kids play, they will only ever be forming their opinions on raw talent alone, yet anyone that has watched footy, or any other sport for that that matter, for any period of time will know that raw talent alone is not enough to make it at the highest level.

[Sabretooth]

How easy would it then be, to manipulate how interested a club is in you the draftee.
Especially for the higher draft picks.

Act in a sullen disinterested way during interviews with clubs you don't want to end up at, and show the real face when dealing with the club you really want to end up at, that has already confirmed their interest.

[one-eyed]

"New #AFLCombine beep test record. Western Jets' Will Hoskin-Elliott just ran a 15.13. Amazing!" ....... Source:  Jason Phelan twitter


Here's some pics from the draft camp as well ...
http://www.aflphotos.com.au/galleries/results/?q=collection:AFL%202011%20Media%20-%20Draft%20Combine%20Day%203&image_id=245295

[one-eyed]

Bradley Hill (brother of Freo's Stephen Hill) has just broken the Draft Combine Beep Test record with a 16(1). 

Source: WA U18s and Emma Quayle twitter pages.

[one-eyed]

More from Jason Phelan on twitter day:

"Spoke to #AFLCombine officials - so far 4 lads have unofficially bettered old beep record today. Brad Hill looks to have scored a low 16.

Rebels ruckman Tom Downie is 205cm tall and nudged 14 in the beep test at #AFLCombine. Was late to the Rebs but has really impressed.

Official #AFLCombine results are in and Brad Hill scored a 16.1 in the beep. Hoskin-Elliott didn't quite make his last turn & scored a 15.12

Elliott Kavanagh topped the clean hands test with 28/30. Shane Nelson scored 29/30 to take 1st spot in kicking test.

Ahmed Saad is one of the stories of the #AFLCombine. Topped the 30m repeat & 20m sprints & was 2nd in the agility. He must get drafted.

Chad Wingard & Hayden Crozier were 1-2 in the running vertical leap. Mark of the year winners in the making right there.

East Fremantle's Elliot Yeo 1st in standing vertical jump & agility.

No monties past pick 2 in this draft yet. Hopefully things will start to fall into place over next month."


And some more info from Jennifer Witham on twitter....

"Top prospect Daniel Markworth didn't do the beep test & will miss the 3km cos of a knee but impressed today in sprinting tests.

Markworth is a bolter and has attracted plenty of clubs despite sore knee. Very impressive guy too."

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I also heard Grigg got 15.1 in the beep test and Brandon Ellis did very well in the kicking test.