The versatile Glenelg product played most of the recent under-18 championships across half-back but is also able to push through the midfield and into attack.
He looks set to be a top five selection at November's draft, with some recruiters rating him the best player in the pool behind key forward Tom Boyd.
Darcy Gardiner, from the Geelong Falcons, is also viewed as one of the top key defensive options available at the draft and is among the 27 players selected in the tall defenders group.
Of those players, 11 will attend the national draft combine at Etihad Stadium, with the remaining 16 invited to state testings.
"The tall defenders are extremely athletic with excellent rebounding skills and are strong spoilers, with most also capable of playing roles up forward as well, highlighting the versatility of this group," Kevin Sheehan, the AFL national and international talent manager, said.
Athletic tall Tom Cutler, an AIS-AFL Academy graduate, will test with the key defenders, as will South Australia's Cameron Giles, who has impressed with his agility as a 195cm prospect.
Players invited to the national combine received five or more votes from AFL clubs, while state-level combine attendees require two or more clubs to nominate them.
2013 NAB AFL Draft Combine – National
Tall defenders
WA
Tom Barrass
Club: Claremont/Hale School
D.O.B.: 8.10.95
Height: 192cm
Weight: 81kg
Tall defender with very good ability to read the ball in flight. Comes off his opponent at the right time to impact the contest and uses the ball smartly on the counter attack. Possesses a penetrating and accurate left foot that can carry the lines as well as being a strong overhead mark.
Tom Vandeleuer
Club: South Fremantle/Aquinas College
D.O.B.: 20.3.95
Height: 191cm
Weight: 90kg
Tall defender with terrific rebounding ability with his natural athleticism and a penetrating kick. He missed the earlier part of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships due to an ankle injury but returned for rounds four and five to provide Western Australia with a boost. Debuted at senior level this year with South Fremantle.
Vic Metro
Tom Cutler
Club: Oakleigh Chargers/Trinity College
D.O.B.: 20.2.95
Height: 190cm
Weight: 85kg
Tall defender with very good game sense and ability to hit targets consistently by hand or foot. Can play on both talls and smalls due to his athleticism, and reads the ball in flight particularly well. Makes smart decisions when he comes off his man to impact the contest or win the ball back. Averaged 14 disposals at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Member of AIS-AFL Academy.
Daniel McStay
Club: Eastern Ranges/East Ringwood
D.O.B.: 24.6.95
Height: 194cm
Weight: 88kg
Athletic tall defender with a competitive nature who has the ability to shut down opposition forwards while providing good counter attack through his ability to hit targets on his preferred left foot. Can also play as a lead up forward with good effect due to his strong marking and versatility.
Alex Spencer
Club: Sandringham Dragons/Haileybury College
D.O.B.: 19.4.95
Height: 193cm
Weight: 83kg
Tall defender who uses his body well in one-on-one contests and is an excellent contested mark. Can provide good run from defence and also switch forward as a marking target for his team. Represented Victoria Metro in five matches in NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, with his 17 disposals against Queensland his best performance.
Vic Country
Fraser Fort
Club: Geelong Falcons/South Barwon
D.O.B.: 4.10.95
Height: 196cm
Weight: 84kg
Tall defender/forward who excels one-on-one and is powerful overhead. Impressed with his ability to win contested ball playing in defence in all five matches for Victoria Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in 2013. Ideal type to play the swingman role at both ends.
Darcy Gardiner
Club: Geelong Falcons/Queenscliff
D.O.B.: 22.9.95
Height: 192cm
Weight: 85kg
Tall defender who is rarely beaten one-on-one. Has the ability to shut down the opposition's most dangerous forward. This close-checking defender has pushed forward on occasions with some success; he keeps things simple, is strong overhead and makes good decisions with his execution by hand or foot. Represented Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in 2012 and 2013, winning All-Australian honours this year. Member of AIS-AFL Academy.
SA
Cameron Giles
Club: Woodville West Torrens/Blyth Snowtown
D.O.B.: 5.5.95
Height: 195cm
Weight: 93kg
Tall defender who is quick and agile and has a big endurance base. Spots up his kicks well and rebounded effectively during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, which was impressive given this season is his first in defence having previously played as a tall forward and ruckman. Generally makes good decisions with the ball in hand.
Jake Pitt
Club: Glenelg/Lucindale
D.O.B.: 4.4.95
Height: 192cm
Weight: 76kg
Athletic tall defender with good agility and is strong overhead with his ability to take intercept marks in defence. Team oriented player who works hard and has great endurance. Provided good run from defence for South Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 13.2 disposals (at 85.3 per cent efficiency) and 4.8 handball receives in five matches in 2013.
Matthew Scharenberg
Club: Glenelg/PHOS Camden
D.O.B.: 18.9.95
Height: 190cm
Weight: 89kg
Tall defender/forward with very strong hands overhead. Is brilliant in his game sense and reading of the play and makes very good decisions by hand or foot. Shows great composure when in possession and rebounds very effectively from defence. Can also push forward with immediate impact as a marking forward and is a reliable set shot for goal. This agile player earned All-Australian honours in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in both 2012 and 2013. Member of AIS AFL Academy.
Tasmania
Jake Kolodjashnij
Club: Launceston
D.O.B.: 9.8.95
Height: 192cm
Weight: 90kg
Tall defender with very good athleticism and football smarts. Reads the play well and comes off his opponent at the right times to win the ball back in the air. An effective rebounding player who is a strong overhead mark and possesses neat foot skills. Averaged 13 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency and four marks at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
2013 NAB AFL Draft Combine – State
Tall defenders
Aliir Aliir
Club: East Fremantle (WA)
D.O.B.: 5.09.1994
Height: 193 cm
Weight: 82kg
Korey Beard
Club: Port Adelaide Magpies (SA)
D.O.B.: 13.06.1990
Height: 193cm
Weight: 93kg
Hugh Beasley
Club: Oakleigh Chargers (Vic)
D.O.B.: 12.11.95
Height: 192cm
Weight: 87kg
Luke Buckby
Club: Central District (SA)
D.O.B.: 22.2.95
Height: 192cm
Weight: 85kg
James Ferry
Club: Calder Cannons (Vic)
D.O.B.: 9.11.94
Height: 190cm
Weight: 86kg
Lewis Fitzgerald
Club: Oakleigh Chargers (Vic)
D.O.B.: 10.8.95
Height: 190cm
Weight: 84kg
Dale Gawley
Club: Dandenong Stingrays (Vic)
D.O.B.: 24.12.95
Height: 193cm
Weight: 84kg
Nick Jackson
Club: Aspley (Qld)
D.O.B.: 16.12.95
Height: 195cm
Weight: 87kg
Elliott Le Grice
Club: Sandringham Dragons (Vic)
D.O.B.: 7.8.1995
Height: 194cm
Weight: 80kg
Jordan Mangan
Club: Bendigo Pioneers (Vic)
D.O.B.: 19.3.95
Height: 193cm
Weight: 86kg
Rowen Powell
Club: Claremont (WA)
D.O.B.: 17/09/1995
Height: 192cm
Weight: 78kg
Scott Simpson
Club: Frankston (Vic)
D.O.B.: 19.10.89
Height: 197cm
Weight: 96kg
Matthew Sully
Club: Geelong – VFL (Vic)
D.O.B.: 15/10/1992
Height: 195cm
Weight: 89kg
Cain Tickner
Club: Aspley (Qld)
D.O.B.: 17.4.95
Height: 193cm
Weight: 90kg
Joel Tippett
Club: West Adelaide (SA)
D.O.B.: 26/10/1988
Height: 195cm
Weight: 84kg
Jake Wilson
Club: Werribee (Vic)
D.O.B.: 1.12.91
Height: 194cm
Weight: 102kg
Twitter: @AFL_CalTwomey
