2009 Draft Camp

[one-eyed]

Getting a kick out of draft camp
Michael Gleeson | June 24, 2009

PROSPECTIVE AFL players arrive at the annual draft camp expecting to be run through a battery of tests like lab rats. This year they will be asked to perform a few exercises that will actually resemble football. For the first meaningful time, players will be tested and ranked on their ability to make a decision and kick a ball.

"Probably five years ago the focus at the camp was 85 to 90 per cent on the athletic capabilities of the player, and that is still very relevant, but it is increasingly about the skill execution," AIS high-performance coach Jason McCartney said. "You need to be able to kick, you need to be able to control the footy — if you can't, it is going to make it a lot harder. It doesn't mean you won't make it, but clubs need to have a really good handle on this.

"Bucks (Nathan Buckley) went to every club last year in his role with the AIS Academy and asked them what we can do better and overwhelmingly they wanted us to do something about kicking, do something to make the players coming into the AFL better kicks."

Part of that is responding to a call, first made by Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams, to incorporate skill testing and specifically to measure and rank the best kicks among those at the draft camp. This year, players will be asked to stand in a five-metre square box on the oval and be passed a footy. The player has to quickly turn, take a few steps and kick before leaving the box.

"Teammates" will stand on either side of the ground at different distances and the player will have to quickly kick the ball to them. He will not know which "teammate" he has to kick to until he has received the ball and turned.

"It is a very high possession game now and so there is such a premium on retaining possession so players being able to kick efficiently is absolutely crucial," McCartney said.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/getting-a-kick-out-of-draft-camp/2009/06/23/1245522834033.html

[one-eyed]

Draftees' kicking exam
afl.com.au
By David Reed
Tue 18 August, 2009

PROSPECTIVE draftees will be tested on their kicking skills for the first time at the 2009 NAB AFL Draft Camp in Canberra.

Future Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has devised a high-pressure kicking examination, following demand by recruiters who wanted more information on players' ability to kick accurately on both sides of the body.

Players will have six targets to aim for at various lengths ranging from 20m to 40m and on either side of a field. They will have only one shot at each target, and won't be told which target to aim for until they receive the ball.

Scores ranging from excellent to poor will be given for speed, accuracy, ball spin and trajectory.

The 2009 NAB AFL Draft Camp will be held at the AIS in Canberra between Wednesday September 30 and Friday October 2.

How the test works

Each player has six kicks to six different targets.

Targets are randomly called as they receive the football.

The calls are:

    * 'short left' or 'short right' (20m)
    * 'middle left' or 'middle right' (30m)
    * 'long left' or 'long right'(40m)

Another player will be in the centre of a 2m diameter target circle to mark the ball

Kicks will be rated as follows:

    * 5 points – excellent
      Target didn’t move and ball travelled quickly with low trajectory and perfect spin
    * 4 points – very good
      Target receives within one step off the cone, low trajectory and good spin
    * 3 points – effective
      Target receives with a foot inside circle, good trajectory and spin
    * 2 – ineffective
      Target had to leave circle to mark ball, good trajectory and spin
    * 1 – poor
      Target unable to mark football, poor trajectory and spin


Players will wear football boots and their kicks will be taped from two angles and made available for clubs to assess.

The new NAB AFL Draft Camp kicking test

[mightytiges]

Kicks will be rated as follows:

    * 5 points – excellent
      Target didn’t move and ball travelled quickly with low trajectory and perfect spin
    * 4 points – very good
      Target receives within one step off the cone, low trajectory and good spin
    * 3 points – effective
      Target receives with a foot inside circle, good trajectory and spin
    * 2 – ineffective
      Target had to leave circle to mark ball, good trajectory and spin
    * 1 – poor
      Target unable to mark football, poor trajectory and spin

I wonder how many current Tigers would be able to score more than 1 point 

[one-eyed]

Here's a list of this year's Draft Camp attendees from afl.com.au ......

Tall forwards

Aaron Black (Peel Thunder, WA)
Height: 193cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 29/11/90
Recruited from: Kingsley
Athletic key forward whose excellent hands are a feature. Agility and awareness are also strengths. Western Australia U18 representative in 2009.

John Butcher (Gippsland Power, VIC)
Height: 197cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 03/07/91
Recruited from: Maffra
Versatile key position prospect with great agility, pace and endurance for his size. Clean hands and contested marking are features of his game. Vic Country U18 representative in 2008/09 and an AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

Jake Carlisle (Calder Cannons, VIC)
Height: 196cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 01/10/91
Recruited from: Craigieburn
Can play a variety of roles effectively. Strong hands, nice foot skills and an ability to read the play well are highlights of his game. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009.

Joshua Giddings (Glenelg, SA)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 29/08/91
Recruited from: Henley
Lead-up forward with strong hands and very proficient foot skills. Agile for his size with excellent awareness. South Australia U18 representative in 2009.

Benjamin Griffiths (Eastern Ranges, VIC)
Height: 198cm, Weight: 99kg, DOB: 17/09/91
Recruited from: Blackburn
Rarely beaten in the air, has quick with clean hands below his knees and is an exceptional long kick for goal. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009.

Tom Hill (Northern Knights, VIC)
Height: 199cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 07/04/91
Recruited from: Northern Bullants FC (VAFA)
Strong hands overhead, excellent speed and agility for his size and sound skills by foot. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009 and an AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

Ayden Kennedy (Eastern Ranges, VIC)
Height: 191cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 31/10/91
Recruited from: Wantirna South
Athletic with good hands both on the lead and overhead. Both field and goal-kicking are features of his game. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009.

Matthew Panos (Norwood, SA)
Height: 192cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 25/01/91
Recruited from: Rostrevor College
Possesses good hands and is strong on the lead. Kicked 14 goals at the NAB AFL U18 Championships for South Australia, earning All-Australian honours. Noted for his accuracy in front of goal.

Troy Taylor (NT Thunder, NT)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 12/09/91
Recruited from: South Alice Springs
Agile footballer with clean skills by hand and foot. Second efforts, ball-winning ability and marking are also features of his game. Northern Territory U18 representative in 2009.

Nicholas Winmar (Claremont, WA)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 78kg, Weight: 27/04/91
Recruited from: Scarborough
Versatile player with strong athletic ability and clean hands overhead and at ground level. Western Australia U18 representative in 2009.

[one-eyed]

Medium Forwards

Ryan Bastinac (Dandenong Stingrays, VIC)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 22/06/91
Recruited from: Rowville
Smart inside midfielder with terrific contested ball winning ability. Vision, awareness and clean hands in traffic a feature. Clean foot skills off both sides other impressive assets. Vic Country U18 representative in 2009.

Ben Cunnington (Geelong Falcons, VIC)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 30/06/91
Recruited from: Cobden
Skilful inside midfielder/forward who rarely loses a contest. Ultra clean hands both in the air and on the ground. Strong performer for Vic Country at NAB AFL U18 Championships earning All-Australian honours.

Anthony Delborello (West Perth, WA)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 02/08/91
Recruited from: Kingsley
Good decision maker with clean hands and great skills by foot. Strong one on one with an ability to win plenty of contested ball. WA U18 representative in 2009.

Mitchell Duncan (East Perth, WA)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 10/6/91
Recruited from: Trinity College
Lead-up forward who presents well, is strong overhead and makes good decisions with the footy. Strong performer for WA at NAB AFL U18 Championships earning All-Australian honours. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

Nat Fyfe (Claremont, WA)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 18/09/91
Recruited from: Aquinas College
Smart forward who reads the game extremely well and has good goal sense. Kicked four goals for WA against Vic Metro in NAB AFL U18 Championships.

Kane Lucas (East Fremantle, WA)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 26/06/91
Recruited from: Trinity College
Hard-running and highly-skilled player who likes to run and carry. Speed, awareness and ball-winning ability are all features. WA U18 representative in 2009, earning All-Australian honours as a medium forward. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

Andrew Moore (Eastern Ranges, VIC)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 30/05/91
Recruited from: Yarra Valley Grammar
Versatile midfielder/forward who is very capable overhead. Wins his own footy consistently and makes good decisions. Vic Metro representative in 2009.

Brayden Norris (Murray Bushrangers, VIC)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 69kg, DOB: 27/11/91
Recruited from: Alexandra
Hard-running forward whose strong hands on the lead are a clear strength. Pace off the mark and sound endurance make him tough to match up on.

Gary Rohan (Geelong Falcons, VIC)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 07/06/91
Recruited from: Cobden
Explosive half-forward who is extremely capable in the air. Defensive pressure a highlight. Won Vic Country’s MVP award as well as All-Australian honours at NAB AFL U18 Championships.

Luke Tapscott (North Adelaide, SA)
Height: 180cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 28/06/91
Recruited from: Orroroo
Powerful forward/midfielder with great hands. Foot skills and ball winning abilities are both exceptional. Strong performer for SA at NAB AFL U18 Championships with 30 inside 50s, nine goals and All-Australian honours.

Jack Trengove (Sturt, SA)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 02/09/91
Recruited from: Kybybolite
Well-balanced and creative with exceptional leadership qualities. Ultra-impressive U18 Championships averaging 23 disposals including nine contested. Received SA’s MVP award and All-Australian honours.

Gerrick Weedon (Claremont, WA)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 25/05/91
Recruited from: Clontarf College
Hard-working forward who is extremely strong in the air. Vision and awareness in traffic as well as sound defensive pressure skills are features of his game.  WA U18 representative in 2009.

[one-eyed]

Medium Midfielders

Justin Bollenhagen (South Adelaide, SA)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 17/12/91
Recruited from: Reynella
Highly-skilled left footer who reads the play well. Strong overhead for his size with clean hands and good awareness in traffic. SA U18 representative in 2009.

Alex Carey (Glenelg, SA)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 27/08/91
Recruited from: Flagstaff Hill
Skilful inside midfielder who brings teammates into the game. Consistently good decision maker with great awareness and ball winning ability. Strong performer for SA at NAB AFL U18 Championships. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

Joshua Cowan (North Ballarat Rebels, VIC)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 71kg, DOB: 16/03/91
Recruited from: Daylesford
Smart winger with excellent ball winning ability. Composure and decision making are his strengths. Can run and carry as well as work both ways. Vic Country U18 representative in 2009.

Jessie Crichton (Tassie Mariners, TAS)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 66kg, DOB: 18/06/91
Recruited from: North Launceston
Creative playmaker who has instinctive ability to find space in traffic. Ultra competitive with exceptional vision and awareness. Wins his own footy in the air and at ground level. Tasmania U18 representative in 2008/09. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

Jordan Gysberts (Eastern Ranges, VIC)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 11/06/91
Recruited from: Yarra Valley Grammar
Smart midfielder who wins plenty of his own ball. Rarely fumbles and uses the ball effectively by both hand and foot. Can go forward and kick goals. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2008/09. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

Tom Harms (Sturt, SA)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 15/06/91
Recruited from: Immanuel College
Versatile midfielder/forward who is very difficult to match up on. Strong hands as well as powerful and accurate foot skills make him a danger when in possession. SA U18 representative in 2009.

Mark Hutchings (East Perth, WA)
Height: 180cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 25/05/91
Recruited from: Coolbinia
Tough inside midfielder with fierce attack on the ball. Handpassing, vision and endurance are strengths. Captain of successful WA U18 squad in 2009.

Dustin Martin (Bendigo Pioneers, VIC)
Height: 187cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 26/06/91
Recruited from: Castlemaine
Attacking onballer with great balance and ball winning ability. Averaged 21 possessions per game for Vic Country at NAB AFL U18 Championships, winning All-Australian honours. Good skills on both sides of this body.

Jake Melksham (Calder Cannons, VIC)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 69kg, DOB: 29/8/91
Recruited from: PEGS
Well balanced with tremendous ball-winning ability. Strong and hard at stoppages with clean skills by hand and foot. Can play both inside and outside. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009.  AIS/AFL Academy graduate.

Anthony Morabito (Peel Thunder, WA)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 90kg, DOB: 29/10/91
Recruited from: Harvey Brunswick
Quick, versatile and super athletic winger who starred at NAB AFL U18 Championships, receiving WA’s MVP award and All-Australian honours. Pace, kicking and marking are all strengths. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

Tom Scully (Dandenong Stingrays, VIC)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 15/05/91
Recruited from: Haileybury College
Prolific ball winner who averaged 26 disposals and five clearances at NAB AFL U18 Championships, winning Vic Metro’s MVP award and All-Australian honours for a second time. Left-footer whose clean hands, kicking skills and endurance are all features. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

Koby Stevens (Gippsland Power, VIC)
Height: 187cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 18/06/91
Recruited from: Lucknow
Tough, inside midfielder with ferocious attack on both ball and player.  Contested ball-winning ability and strong hands overhead are strengths. Vic Country U18 representative in 2009. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

[one-eyed]

Small Midfielders

Callum Bartlett (Geelong Falcons, VIC)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 19/06/91
Recruited from: North Geelong
Quick and agile goalkicking midfielder with excellent ball-winning ability. Disposal by foot is a feature of his game.

Allen Christensen (Geelong Falcons, VIC)
Height: 176cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 19/05/91
Recruited from: Lara
Prolific ball winner who amasses plenty of contested possessions. Sound decision-maker who is extremely clever around goals. Vic Country U18 representative in 2009.

Travis Colyer (Claremont, WA)
Height: 175cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 24/8/91
Recruited from: Trinity College
Attacking midfielder with a good turn of speed and tremendous poise in traffic. Strong performer for Western Australia at NAB AFL U18 Championships, winning All-Australian honours.

Kallen Geary (Bendigo Pioneers, VIC)
Height: 177cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 30/05/91
Recruited from: Eaglehawk
Hard working midfielder with sound skills on both sides of his body. Strong endurance and an ability to win contested ball are strengths. Vic Country U18 representative in 2009.

Robbie Hicks (Calder Cannons, VIC)
Height: 176cm, Weight: 68kg, DOB: 10/09/91
Recruited from: PEGS
Super quick midfielder who is extremely clever around goals. Reads the play well and has clean skills on both sides of his body. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009.

Andrew Hooper (North Ballarat Rebels, VIC)
Height: 172cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 18/01/91
Recruited from: Golden Point
Attacking midfielder/defender who wins his own football consistently. Starred for Vic Country at NAB AFL U18 Championships, averaging 21 disposals, including nine contested. Joint Larke Medal winner and U18 All-Australian.

Lewis Jetta (Swan Districts, WA)
Height: 178cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 04/05/89
Recruited from: Bridgetown
Extremely quick player who provides great run and carry. Team-oriented with clean hands and great agility. Can play a variety of positions.

Dylan McNeil (Murray Bushrangers, NSW)
Height: 178cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 20/03/91
Recruited from: Lavington
Attacking midfielder who captained NSW/ACT in NAB AFL U18 Championships and won the Hunter Harrison Medal for best player in Division Two as well as All-Australian honours. Courageous player who excels at clearances.

Bryon Sumner (Eagles, SA)
Height: 174cm, Weight: 68kg, DOB: 16/05/91
Recruited from: Woodville South
Quick and clever midfielder with penetrating left foot. Evasiveness and clean hands overhead are two of his strengths. Performed very well for SA at NAB AFL U18 Championships.

Josh Thomas (Gold Coast, QLD)
Height: 178cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 01/10/91
Recruited from: Broadbeach
Classy midfielder who wins plenty of contested ball. Pace, clean hands and sharp kicking skills on both sides of his body are all features of his game. Queensland U18 representative in 2009.

Jason Tutt (NSW/ACT Rams)
Height: 176cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 15/05/91
Recruited from: Ainslie
Running defender with penetrating right foot. Ability to run and carry from defence, good leg speed and accurate disposal are features of his game. NSW/ACT U18 representative in 2009.

Derick Wanganeen (Port Adelaide, SA)
Height: 172cm, Weight: 63kg, DOB: 05/02/91
Recruited from: Mallee Park
Quick midfielder whose decision-making and clean hands in traffic are his strengths. Reads the game well and has strong defensive skills. South Australian U18 representative in 2009.

[one-eyed]

Tall Defenders

David Astbury (North Ballarat Rebels, VIC)
Height: 193cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 26/02/91
Recruited from: Tatyoon
Lead-up forward or defender with a great set of hands. Good pace and endurance for his size with sounds skills by both hand and foot. Vic Country U18 representative in 2009.

Dylan Grimes (Northern Knights, VIC)
Height: 192cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 16/07/91
Recruited from: Hurstbridge
Quick with great closing speed. Task-oriented with strong defensive skills and a sound ability to read the play. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009.

Tom MacKenzie (Geelong Falcons, VIC)
Height: 191cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 10/09/91
Recruited from: Anglesea
Athletic and versatile defender who can play on both talls and smalls. Great acceleration for his size with the ability to run and carry.  Vic Country representative in 2009.

Simon Potts (North Adelaide, SA)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 07/03/91
Recruited from: BMW
Defender who reads the play exceptionally well and finds space in traffic. Strong hands and sharp ball use by foot are features. South Australia U18 representative in 2009.

Sam Reid (Murray Bushrangers, VIC)
Height: 192cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 27/12/91
Recruited from: Wangaratta
Versatile rebounding defender who provides plenty of run from defence. Athleticism, vertical leap and speed are strengths.

Sam Shaw (Oakleigh Chargers, VIC)
Height: 191cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 05/04/91
Recruited from: Xavier College
Athletic player who is strong overhead and can play a variety of positions well. Agility, pace and leap are outstanding for his size. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009.

Daniel Talia (Calder Cannons, VIC)
Height: 194cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 02/10/91
Recruited from: Assumption College
Versatile key position player who can play well at either end of the ground. Clean hands and great endurance for his size are strengths. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009, winning All-Australian honours.

Mitchell Taylor (NT Thunder, NT)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 06/10/90
Recruited from: Wanderers
Rebounding defender with ability to win his own ball. Agility and competitiveness are both highlights of his game. Northern Territory U18 representative in 2009.

Luke Thompson (Geelong Falcons, VIC)
Height: 192cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 08/02/91
Recruited from: Timboon
Athletic and versatile defender who breaks the lines. Has good speed and endurance for size and is clean at ground level. Vic Country U18 representative in 2009.

[one-eyed]

Medium Defenders

Joseph Dare (Geelong Falcons, VIC)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 17/10/92
Recruited from: Colac
Versatile player who can play both forward and back. Has strong hands and an ability to read the play.

Marcus Davies (Tassie Mariners, TAS)
Height: 187cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 04/06/91
Recruited from: North Hobart
Quick midfielder/defender with great power and endurance. Has sound skills by both hand and foot and performed well for Tasmania at NAB AFL U18 Championships.

Deon Gordon (NT Thunder, NT)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 02/04/91
Recruited from: Saint Mary's
Natural footballer with clean hands and intimate feel for the game. Exceptional kicking skills are a distinct strength. NT U18 representative in 2009.

Ryan Harwood (Tassie Mariners, TAS)
Height: 184cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 08/07/91
Recruited from: Glenorchy
Impressive inside midfielder who represented Tasmania strongly at the NAB AFL U18 Championships with six clearances and 21 disposals per game, earning All-Australian honours. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

Anthony Long (Calder Cannons, VIC)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 06/01/91
Recruited from: St Marys
Skilful running defender with great ability to move through traffic. Agility, recovery and vertical leap are all impressive.

Jamie MacMillan (Oakleigh Chargers, VIC)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 29/09/91
Recruited from: Scotch College
Versatile player with clean hands both in the air and on the ground. Athleticism, pace and decision making are all features. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009.

Jasper McMillan-Pittard (Geelong Falcons, VIC)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 01/01/91
Recruited from: Torquay
Athletic and versatile player whose kicking skills and ability to read the play can hurt the opposition. Left-footer who provides plenty of run from defence. Vic Country U18 representative in 2009.

Daniel Menzel (Central District, SA)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 13/09/91
Recruited from: Golden Grove
Versatile running defender who performed well for SA at NAB AFL U18 Championships providing plenty of drive from defensive 50. Strong endurance and footy smarts are features.

Dylan Roberton (Dandenong Stingrays, VIC)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 21/06/91
Recruited from: Frankston
Rebounding defender with good skills by both hand and foot. Decision making when in possession is a highlight.

Matthew Scott (Eastern Ranges, VIC)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 12/04/91
Recruited from: Yarra Valley Grammar
Smart reader of the play, who is extremely hard in close. Ultra-clean hands at ground level and thinks his way through traffic. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009.

Bradley Sheppard (East Fremantle, WA)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 23/05/91
Recruited from: Wesley College
Rebounding defender with terrific ball winning ability. Strong performer for WA at NAB AFL U18 Championships receiving All-Australian honours. Good user by both hand and foot.

Jordan Williams (Bendigo Pioneers, NSW)
Height: 184cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 06/05/91
Recruited from: Echuca
Hard-working left footer who uses the ball extremely well. Wins plenty of contested possessions, averaging nine per game for NSW/ACT at the NAB AFL U18 Championships.

[one-eyed]

Ruckmen

James Craig (North Adelaide, SA)
Height: 195cm, Weight: 91kg, DOB: 18/04/91
Recruited from: Fitzroy
The dominant ruckman at the NAB AFL under-18 Championships for South Australia, earning All-Australian selection. Tap work at clearances is a feature of his game, as is contested marking.

Joshua Donaldson (West Perth, WA)
Height: 193cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 04/05/91
Recruited from: Ocean Ridge
Athletic ruckman with excellent speed and leap for his size. Tremendous competitor with good hands overhead. Can play a variety of roles. WA U18 representative in 2009.

Jack Fitzpatrick (Western Jets, VIC)
Height: 201cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 26/06/91
Recruited from: Wyndhamvale
Supremely quick and agile ruckman who can play at both ends of the ground. Strong hands overhead is a feature. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009 and an AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

Max Gawn (Sandringham Dragons, VIC)
Height: 206cm, Weight: 97kg, DOB: 28/12/91
Recruited from: Ormond
Athletic ruckman with a strong mark. Suffered a knee injury just prior to the NAB AFL U18 Championships and missed representing Vic Metro.

Joseph Groenewegan (Tassie Mariners, TAS)
Height: 196cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 25/10/91
Recruited from: Launceston
Mobile ruckman whose agility and clean hands at ground level are impressive. Endurance and marking are both strengths. Tasmania U18 representative in 2009 and an AIS-AFL Academy graduate.

Jack Hannath (Central District, SA)
Height: 199cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 09/07/91
Recruited from: Angaston
Developing ruckman who can influence play around the ground. Sound skills by hand and foot with good vision and awareness. South Australian U18 representative in 2009.

Dylan Jones (Sandringham Dragons, VIC)
Height: 196cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 03/11/91
Recruited from: Wesley College
Mobile ruckman who can push forward and have an impact. Strong hands on the lead and work ethic off the ball are both features. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009.

Nathan Vardy (Gippsland Power, VIC)
Height: 198cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 25/06/91
Recruited from: Allies
Agile ruckman with excellent foot skills for his size. Ultra-competitive and very strong overhead. Tap work at clearances is a distinct strength. Vic Country U18 representative in 2009.

http://www.afl.com.au/draft%20camp%20news/tabid/13527/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Draft camp snippets: day 1
By Matt Burgan | Wed 30 September, 2009

Come fly with me … Collingwood, Geelong, Hawthorn and Richmond
With players and officials flying in from all over the country to the nation's capital, it was no surprise to the see the bulk of the mid-morning flights from Melbourne to Canberra filled with officials, players, media representatives and of course club staff.
The Pies, Cats, Hawks and Tigers all had key football staff on board, including respective recruiting managers.

Finals take precedence
Six South Australians invited to this year's camp will not make it up to Canberra due to grand finals in the SANFL this weekend. The unavailable players include Jack Trengove (a highly touted prospect some believe could be the No.1 pick), Alex Carey, Byron Sumner, Derek Wanganeen and Josh Giddings.

Gold Coast sizing up the likes of ...
Jack Hutchins (Sandringham Dragons), Luke Mitchell (Calder Cannons), Viv Michie (Oakleigh Chargers), Taylor Hine (Calder Cannons), Blayne Wilson (Peel Thunder), Tom Nicholls (Sandringham Dragons) and Piers Flanagan (Geelong Falcons), who are all at the camp and in contention to be claimed by Gold Coast. The seven 17-year-olds were all born in 1992 and can only be claimed by the 17th AFL club – at this point.

Players ready for action
With Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the 'action' days at the camp, players undertook their medicals and fitness assessments on the first day. Heights, weights, skinfolds, arm lengths, handspans and visual screenings were among the activities. Players also got their first taste of club interviews, but that will no doubt hot up with many of the coaches expected to arrive in time for the physical testing on Wednesday.

And the No.1 talk is still all for … Tom Scully (Dandenong Stingrays)
But there are plenty who are suggesting that Jack Trengove (Sturt) could easily take that mantle, based on his exceptional senior SANFL finals performance last weekend. Still, the names John Butcher (Gippsland Power), Ben Cunnington (Geelong Falcons), Dustin Martin (Bendigo Pioneers), Anthony Morabito (Peel Thunder), and Gary Rohan (Geelong Falcons) are still right up there in the top echelon.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/85478/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Some pics so far from the Draft Camp:



23. Tom Scully
22. Anthony Morabito
30. Kane Lucas
7. Lewis Jetta
38. Marcus Davies
18. Jesse Crichton
36. Garrick Weedon
30? Gary Rohan (running)
24. Koby Stevens (sitting to our right of Scully and Morabito)

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More pics added from the Draft Camp

http://images.slatterymedia.com/photography/results/?q=collection:AFL%202009%20Media%20-%20%20NAB%20AFL%20Draft%20Camp&sub_code=all

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NAB AFL Draft Camp briefs: day 3
By Matt Burgan and Jason Phelan 7:26 PM Thu 01 October, 2009

Hot property
West Australian Lewis Jetta has now spoken with 14 clubs, including seven in a row on Wednesday. He is the mature-age player of this draft camp and is expected to be snapped up in November's top 15 to 20 selections.

Wind shall not be his enemy
At 77 per cent, Gary Rohan was the best model of kicking efficiency and it was a great effort in Canberra's windy conditions. It was the first time the test had been conducted at draft camp.

Getting to know the next big things
NAB ambassador and new Vic Country under-16 coach Garry Lyon sat and watched the kicking drill with young guns Tom Scully and Anthony Morabito.

Taking it all in his stride
Sam Reid of the Murray Bushrangers is a trooper. Moments after running a 14.7 beep test – impressive for a 192cm kid – he was seen being interviewed on camera.

Toss a coin into the fountain and make a wish
The Adelaide camp was seen interviewing Bendigo Pioneers onballer Dustin Martin shortly after he had completed his impressive kicking test. However, it might be wishful thinking from the Crows, who will start their intake at No.13. Martin isn't expected to last past pick five.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/85604/default.aspx

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Rohan kicks to the top of class
Emma Quayle, Canberra | October 2, 2009

IF THERE has been one question about the speedy, exciting Gary Rohan this year, it has been this: how well can he kick?

Yesterday, the Geelong Falcon showed the recruiting world that yes, he can, scoring 23 out of 30 targets in the draft camp's first specific kicking test to finish at the top of the group on 77 per cent. He had trained for the test at home with his brother on their farm, aiming for trees in the back yard.

Next in line were Victorian midfielders Dustin Martin and Jordan Gysberts, West Australian talls Nicholas Winmar and Aaron Black, South Australians Matthew Panos and Simon Potts, and Tasmanian Ryan Harwood, who all scored 22/30. Overall, the group ranked at 61 per cent efficiency, or 18.3 targets.

The test, designed by Nathan Buckley, saw the players face away from the targets, turn to receive a ball, turn and, at a moment's notice, aim for the target called out and try to hit their teammate within an allocated time. They aimed for short (20 metres) medium (30 metres) and long (40-metre) targets on both their left and right sides.

Each player took six kicks and were given a score from one to five based on how far their target had to move to mark the ball.

Martin, who has stamped himself at the top of the draft order during the camp, has been recognised as a neat kick throughout his under-18 season, and said he had started training both sides of his body early.

''I think it just comes from playing lots of juniors. I played with both feet when I was a kid starting out and that's really helped me as I've gone up the higher levels,'' the Bendigo player said.

''I was pretty happy with my kicks. I think most of them were pretty good. Over the last couple of weeks I've been practising a fair bit, getting ready for it, and I think everyone got some good results, which was good to see.''

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said the test had made an encouraging debut.

''We were extremely pleased with it and we certainly sent a strong message about it. We had Nathan Buckley brief the group beforehand and he told them to really embrace it,'' said Sheehan, who believed Rohan had dismissed some perceptions.

''He was able to bury it. Some people rise to challenges and he's one who was able to deliver. There was no surprise in Dustin Martin, Jordan Gysberts and a few others being up there, but he certainly gave everyone something to think about.''

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/rohan-hits-the-targets/2009/10/01/1253989997668.html