The AFL today announced the sixth group of players that will attend the 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine in October at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.
The Medium Defenders group comprises of 14 players including two players who have won All-Australian honours and one International from Ireland who starred earlier this year for the European Legion against the Australian Under-18 team in London.
AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said: “The skill set of the Medium Defender has expanded well beyond the ability to close down dangerous forwards to now becoming playmakers who can set up the game on the rebound often using their extreme pace or evasive ability as their X- Factor, as well as often having pin-point accuracy by hand and foot. This group has a depth of talent sure to impact the AFL in the years to come.”
The 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine will be held in Melbourne at Etihad Stadium from Tuesday September 30 to Friday October 3.
State Combines will be held in Melbourne (October 4), Adelaide (October 11) and Perth (October 12).
The final positioned group, Ruckmen, will be released later week.
2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine - National
Medium Defenders
Victoria
Daniel Capiron Vic C Dandenong Stingrays
14.6.1996 Height: 189cm Weight: 81kg
Medium Defender who is strong overhead and excels as third man up down back. Courageous player who distributes the ball well on both sides of the body and provides good rebound, his composure is key. Averaged 16.2 disposals at 81 per cent efficiency and five marks in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Member of NAB AFL Academy.
Jason Castagna Vic M Northern Knights
12.7.1996 Height: 182cm Weight: 76kg
Medium Defender who provides excellent rebound from defence. His work ethic is exceptional as is his competitive will and endurance. He can be a damaging and penetrating kick when delivering the football inside the forward half. Averaged 14 disposals in five matches during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships being a consistent contributor for Vic Metro.
Jordan De Goey Vic M Oakleigh Chargers
15.3.1996 Height: 187cm Weight: 82kg
Highly competitive and versatile Medium Defender/Midfielder that is both strong overhead and in one on one contests. Good decision maker by hand and foot. Had a terrific NAB AFL Under-18 Championships taking his game to the next level where he averaged 15.4 disposals (nine contested) in five matches.
Liam Duggan Vic M Western Jets
11.12.1996 Height: 183cm Weight: 75kg
Left footed Medium Defender/Midfielder with excellent decision making and delivery by hand and foot. Poised under pressure and also displaying excellent leadership, he averaged 15.2 disposals at 76 per cent efficiency, four tackles and four inside 50s in five matches during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Winner of the NAB AFL Academy’s Ben Mitchell Medal.
Brayden Maynard Vic M Sandringham Dragons
20.9.1996 Height: 186cm Weight: 88kg
Left footed Medium Defender/Midfielder with powerful kick, excellent evasive skills and rarely beaten one on one. Played three matches in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 15 disposals and five tackles. His penetration and accuracy in his disposal makes him dangerous wherever he is on the ground.
Jackson Nelson Vic C Geelong Falcons
15.3.1996 Height: 187cm Weight: 81kg
Medium Defender/Midfielder with excellent game sense, speed and use of the ball by hand and foot. Prolific kick of the footy that also shows balance and precision when executing by foot. Averaged 12.2 disposals and 4.3 tackles across six NAB AFL Under-18 Championship matches. Member of NAB AFL Academy.
Dillon Viojo-Rainbow Vic M Western Jets
8.2.1996 Height: 185cm Weight: 80kg
Medium Defender/Midfielder with elite kicking ability on his preferred left foot. Sees the game very well and makes smart decisions when in possession. Can also push forward and impact the scoreboard from long range when playing through the midfield. Clean and effective distributor of the footy by hand. Averaged 12.6 disposals at 73 per cent efficiency and 5.2 marks in five games at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Queensland
Liam Dawson Qld Aspley
23.1.1996 Height: 188cm Weight: 81kg
Strong and versatile Defender/Midfielder that can lock down opponents or play a creative role for his team. Strong overhead and athletic, uses the ball effectively by hand and foot while making smart decisions. Won the Harrison Medal in AFL Under-18s in 2013. Injured in 2014 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. NAB AFL Academy member and a member of the Lions Academy.
South Australia
Josh Glenn SA Central District
10.3.1994 Height: 180cm Weight: 78kg
Medium Defender with a penetrating and accurate left foot kick. His work ethic and level of consistency has risen over the past 12 months and been a significant factor in elevating his football to the next level. Averaged 21.7 disposals and 5.9 marks throughout season 2014 playing league football for Central District.
NSW/ACT
Michael Mattingly NSW Corowa-Rutherglen
25.6.1996 Height: 184cm Weight: 78kg
Comes from an elite cricket background and possesses excellent leadership qualities. Shows good penetration with his kicking and often finds his target. Mops up well in defence and provides excellent drive when countering. Averaged 17 disposals and 2.3 marks during three games at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Tom Faul ACT Ainslie
24.1.1996 Height: 187cm Weight: 86kg
Extremely powerful and explosive player with strong hands in the marking contest, particularly on the lead while also rarely fumbling at ground level. Powerful and penetrating left foot kick that commits himself hard to the contest and quite often comes out on top. Had minor throat surgery in March and missed two weeks.
Tasmania
Josh McGuinness Tas Lauderdale
20.9.1995 Height: 189cm Weight: 72kg
Medium Defender that reads the game exceptionally well, has sure hands and uses the football neatly by hand or foot on the rebound. Had impressive NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 26 disposals and five marks winning All-Australian honours. His ability to run and carry the ball through the midfield is his strongest attribute, often linking up on multiple occasions.
Western Australia
Francis Watson WA Claremont
29.9.1995 Height: 186cm Weight: 76kg
Medium Defender with terrific agility, natural leap and smooth kicking technique on his preferred right foot. Often plays as a rebounding half back that runs and carries the ball however he can also play a shutdown role on a dangerous forward. Shows good overhead marking strength and had a consistent NAB AFL Under-18 Championships averaging 12.5 disposals and 3.5 marks over four matches.
International
Paddy Brophy IRELAND
22.2.1994 Height: 188cm Weight: 81kg
Dashing Medium Defender who attacks the ball with aggression and certainty as well as being strong overhead. Impressed at European AFL Combine held in Dublin with his speed and agility as well as starring for the European Legion versus Australian Under-18s this year collecting 26 disposals and having five clearances in an exciting performance in London in April.
2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine – State
Medium Defenders
Brendon Abbott Claremont WA
1.1.1995 Height: 186cm Weight: 92kg
Sam Bennett North Ballarat Rebels Vic C
22.1.1995 Height: 189cm Weight: 79kg
Mac Bower Norwood SA
27.1.1996 Height: 190cm Weight: 77kg
Daniel Davie Bendigo Pioneers Vic C
30.5.1996 Height: 190cm Weight: 93kg
Adam Gulden South Adelaide SA
30.7.1991 Height: 188cm Weight: 85kg
Matt Jackson Oakleigh Chargers Vic M
15.1.1996 Height: 191cm Weight: 82kg
Michael Manteit Sandringham Dragons Vic M
18.7.1996 Height: 186cm Weight: 81kg
Garrett McDonagh Northern Knights Vic M
19.6.1996 Height: 183cm Weight: 75kg
Nick Newman Frankston VFL
15.1.1993 Height: 187cm Weight: 81kg
Dylan Winton Peel Thunder WA
27.7.1996 Height: 191cm Weight: 86kg
The NAB AFL Draft Combine is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.
NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which comprises the following elements:
- NAB AFL Rising Star
- NAB AFL Draft
- NAB AFL Draft Combine
- NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
- NAB AFL Academy
- NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
