PADDY McCartin heads the list of tall forwards invited to the NAB AFL Draft Combine, with the possible first pick one of 14 set to attend.
This year's draft has been long known for its key position depth compared to recent years, and many of the most talented talls are among the forwards group, which was announced on Thursday.
McCartin will resume playing for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup next weekend after finishing his school season with Geelong Grammar last week.
A powerful, strong marking forward, McCartin is likely to be a top-three draft pick when names are called in November.
Collingwood's father-son prospect Darcy Moore has been named in the tall forwards crop, along with Vic Country's versatile Tom Lamb.
Brisbane Lions academy players Matthew Hammelmann and Matthew Uebergang are also there, while both New South Wales teams have talents in the group.
Abe Davis (Sydney Swans) and Jeremy Finlayson (Greater Western Sydney) were among the 35 players this week named as eligible academy picks.
Another 10 tall forwards will attend state combines across the country.
NATIONAL NAB AFL DRAFT COMBINE – TALL FORWARDS
Western Australia
Jack Cripps East Fremantle/Northampton
20.1.1996 Height: 196cm Weight: 86kg
Versatile tall forward who is a neat and reliable penetrating set shot for goal. Shows the consistent ability to mark strongly on the lead, taking the ball at its highest point, and is at his best when moving towards the kicker. Averaged 9.5 disposals, 3.3 marks and one goal during his four games for Western Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Tyler Keitel East Perth/Noranda
7.2.1996 Height: 194cm Weight: 86kg
Tall forward who provided a strong marking target up forward and has good speed to get space off his opponent. Averaged 6.2 marks and 15.8 disposals as Western Australia's most dangerous forward during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Can also transition into defence when called upon with great effect making him an extremely versatile footballer.
Mitchell McGovern Claremont
11.10.1994 Height: 191cm Weight: 84kg
Strong marking tall forward who positions his body very well in the contest. Possesses excellent foot skills on either side of the body. His vertical leap is a real asset, particularly on the lead, making it difficult for opposition defenders to spoil. Has averaged 10.7 disposals and 4.3 marks in his seven games of league football for Claremont this season.
Abaina Davis UNSW-Easts
27.1.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 86kg
Mobile and powerful tall forward with strong hands overhead. Averaged 13.3 disposals and five marks in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Showed good mobility and is very creative inside 50. Hard to stop once he gets front position and is a reliable set shot for goal. Averaged 13.3 disposals and five marks during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Is a Sydney Swans Academy player.
Jeremy Finlayson Hills Eagles
9.2.1996 Height: 195cm Weight: 84kg
Athletic and beautifully balanced tall forward who possesses a penetrating left foot. Can play as a deep leading forward who is difficult to stop and also shows excellent mobility playing further up the ground. Marks strongly on the lead. Averaged 12 disposals and 3.7 marks during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Is a GWS Giants Academy player.
Nicholas Coughlan Murray Bushrangers/Albury
12.9.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 84kg
Tall Forward with good athletic ability and strong overhead. Agile and presents well on the lead. A reliable set shot for goal as well as an excellent field kick on his preferred right foot. Averaged 10 disposals (four contested possessions) and a goal in three matches during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. A member of NAB AFL National Academy in 2014.
Dougal Howard Murray Bushrangers/Albury
25.3.1996 Height: 195cm Weight: 88kg
Tall developing forward that provides an excellent target inside 50. His overhead marking is a strength and once he takes front position it's difficult for defenders to spoil. Possesses an excellent vertical leap while also showing elite leg speed for a player of his size (2.92secs 20m Sprint). Played senior footy with the Wagga Tigers in 2013. Averaged four marks and one goal per game during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. GWS Giants Academy player.
Brett Eddy South Adelaide
26.8.1989 Height: 194cm Weight: 89kg
Strong and powerful tall forward with an excellent set of hands. Shows the ability to not only mark on the lead but also to use his body to great effect in a one on one contest. His set shot goal kicking is a real feature of his game, rarely missing an opportunity to convert. Has kicked 54 goals in his 15 matches for South Adelaide at senior level this season.
Queensland
Matthew Hammelmann Morningside
8.3.1996 Height: 197cm Weight: 88kg
Tall forward with strong hands in front, on the lead and overhead. Has good pace off the mark to get separation on his opponent. Can also play in defence. Showed promise in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 10.3 disposals, 7.3 marks and 2.3 goals in his three matches. A member of the NAB AFL Academy as well as the Brisbane Lions Academy.
Matthew Uebergang Ipswich
6.1.1995 Height: 193cm Weight: 87kg
Tall forward with good speed off the mark and strong hands on the lead. A very good reader of the play who shows good composure with the ball in hand. Possesses excellent athletic traits and competitive instincts. Has also played in defence to good effect. Averaged 11.7 disposals and 5.5 marks during this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. A Brisbane Lions Academy player.
Tom Lamb Dandenong Stingrays/Edithvale-Aspendale
19.10.1996 Height: 193cm Weight 84kg
Tall forward/midfielder with elite endurance, rare goal sense and footy nous. His versatility makes him a very difficult match-up for opposition teams. Strong overhead, he averaged 14.8 disposals with 50 percent contested in five matches during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Member of the NAB AFL Academy. His father Wayne played with Melbourne and Fitzroy.
Patrick McCartin Geelong Falcons/St Joseph's FC
19.10.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 84kg
Tall forward who times his leads well, is a one-grab player and strong overhead mark. Imposes himself on games and is dangerous around goals with accurate snaps or with his sound technique for set shots. Averaged four marks and 2.3 goals in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. A NAB AFL Academy member.
Darcy Moore Oakleigh Chargers/ Kew Comets JFC
25.1.1996 Height: 199cm Weight: 93kg
Tall forward or defender with excellent closing speed and natural leap. Strong overhead mark and smart around goals, kicking four goals against Western Australia at Simonds Stadium in round five. Averaged 9.2 disposals and three marks in roles both forward and back during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Son of dual Brownlow medallist Peter Moore.
Brenton Payne Western Jets/Bacchus Marsh
3.9.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 76cm
Leading goal-kicker at the Jets. Attends St Patrick's in Ballarat and is also a very talented cricketer. Applies very good defensive pressure for a key forward. Shows good top end speed allowing him to create separation from his opponent. Averaged 9.2 disposals and 2.4 marks for Vic Metro during this year’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Endurance is a real strength for a player of his size. The grandson of Essendon forward Charlie Payne (194 games).
Ben Edwards
Glenelg/South Australia
15.3.1995 Height: 192cm Weight: 73kg
Matt Panos
Norwood/South Australia
25.1.1991 Height: 192cm Weight: 81kg
Jesse Watchman
West Adelaide/South Australia
28.1.1996 Height: 196cm Weight: 90kg
Callum Wilkie
North Adelaide/South Australia
10.3.1996 Height: 192cm Weight: 84kg
Jake Owen
Williamstown/Victoria
11.11.1994 Height: 191cm Weight: 82kg
Jayden Foster
Calder Cannons/Victoria
1.6.1995 Height:194cm Weight: 91kg
Lachlan Waddell
Oakleigh Chargers/Victoria
12.5.1995 Height: 200cm Weight: 96kg
Matthew Ah Siu
South Fremantle/Western Australia
20.7.1996 Height: 194cm Weight: 78kg
Sam Bevan
Claremont/Western Australia
12.6.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 79kg
Rick Cary
Swan Districts/Western Australia
12.10.1991 Height: 196cm Weight: 88kg
