Recruiting officer, Matthew Clarke, explains how the AFL Draft Combine assists with the selection process for the 2014 National Draft.
VIDEO:
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2014-10-02/afl-draft-combine----------------------------------------------
Summary* The interview process is really important for us. We sent surveys off to about 100 kids throughout the year. From the stuff of the surveys, we put together from the data, prepared questions asking about their families, how they are going to survive if they have to move interstate, where they would like to live, etc. Interview 30-40 kids at the combine itself. We're interested in not only in their testing results but how they approached the testing - do they want to have a go and really perform under pressure.
* As far as the main attributes we're looking for:
- the No.1 thing we look at while they are playing is their competitiveness. AFL footy looks glamourous for two hours per weekend but being a professional footballer involves training, being at the club, etc ... for 6-7 days a week. Do the kids compete both on-field and off-field?
- We also look at kicking.
- Endurance is now becoming more and more paramount with the rotation cap. So we look at their beep test and 3km time trial results and combine them with GPS data we get now from junior footy which completes the puzzle.
* We have 5-6 weeks until the National Draft. We've got alot of info all over the place - their fitness testing, vision of them playing footy and their interview process. We'll pull that altogether as well as tick off anything else we feel we need. Two weeks out from the draft, we'll bunker down for 3-4 days and set out our draft order.
* We'll go for best available with our first pick then try to balance out our list with our later picks. We naturally want good players but we also want good people. Good people at clubs make for great footy clubs.
