FOURTEEN years after Geelong triple-premiership defender Andrew Mackie became a shock top-10 draft selection, his cousin Liam will attempt to follow the same path.
Liam Mackie will be one of 18 hopefuls put through their paces at the South Australia NAB AFL Draft Combine on Saturday.
Among those invited are 21-year-old Willie Rioli – a cousin of Hawthorn star Cyril – giant ruckman Andre Parrella and exciting outside midfielder Steven Slimming.
Mackie is an outside chance to be picked up in the NAB AFL Draft or rookie draft after an impressive season for Glenelg in the under-18s and also a handful of reserves games.
Andrew Mackie attended the SA Combine in 2002 before surprisingly being taken by the Cats with the No.7 pick.
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Glenelg talent manager Brenton Hole said there were plenty of similarities between the two Mackies.
"(Liam) is a really good defender, he spoils well from behind and like Andrew, he's a really penetrating kick," Hole said.
"He's willing to have a crack at it and take the game on.
"A bit of switching and reading the play and knowing when to get it out to the side.
"He's got some AFL attributes. I'm not 100 per cent sure he'll get picked up, but he's a definitely rookie chance."
Rioli will attract attention after a superb season for Glenelg in the SANFL.
He shed 16kg in the off-season, which allowed the dangerous small forward to create havoc in the midfield.
The Tiwi Islands product showed his talent with four goals for the SA state team against the VFL representative side in May.
"When scouts talked to us about Willie over the past three years they noted his supreme skills, but he was fat," Hole said.
"When he came to us, in seven to eight months he reduced his skinfolds from 150 down to 60, which is an amazing change.
"So much so he became a regular in the midfield for us rather than just stay in the forwards."
Rioli and Parrella, 19, are the only two mature-aged players invited to the combine.
The 204cm Parrella made the switch to football with Sturt only three years ago after previously playing tennis.
At least two AFL clubs must nominate a player to take part in a state combine.
Players will undergo the same physical tests as those who attended the AFL Combine in Melbourne last weekend.
Players invited to SA Draft Combine at Wayville Basketball Stadium on Saturday:
Tye Bedford (Sturt) – 185cm, 78kg, Unley FC
Originally from Halls Creek, Bedford's electric pace is put to good use on the wing where he can find plenty of the ball.
Mitch Carter (Norwood) – 196cm, 92kg, Modbury FC
Having previously played across half-back, Norwood used the 196cm Carter as a key forward this year.
Tom Charlton (Norwood) – 192cm, 80kg, Marble Range FC
A forward from Port Lincoln who presents well and gets his teammates involved in the game.
Sam Draper (South Adelaide) – 202cm, 100kg, Reynella FC
A versatile ruckman who covers the ground well and can also push forward if required.
Lachlan Cameron (West Adelaide) – 192cm, 89kg, Mitcham FC
The 192cm defender can shut down the opposition's best forward, but is also mobile enough to play higher up the ground.
Lachlan Cameron in action for the SA under-18 side this year. Picture: AFL Photos
Brayden Kirk (North Adelaide) – 182cm, 70kg, Crystal Brook FC
An exciting outside midfielder who models his game on West Coast's Andrew Gaff.
Peter Ladhams (Norwood) – 204cm, 86kg, Modbury FC
The 202cm ruckman is smart with his tap work and has the ability to push into the forward line.
Jackson Lee (Woodville-West Torrens) – 189cm, 75kg, BSR FC
The inside midfielder finds plenty of the footy and uses it well.
Liam Mackie (Glenelg) – 186cm, 73kg, Plympton FC
A talented halfback who is a similar build to his cousin and Geelong veteran, Andrew.
Connor Noonan (West Adelaide) – 182cm, 71kg, Plympton FC
Can find the ball as an outside midfielder, but also has the nous in front of goal as a crafty half forward.
Andre Parrella (Sturt) – 204cm, 100kg, Unley High School
A 204cm ruckman who has only played footy for three years after coming across from tennis.
Andre Parrella tested at the 2015 NAB AFL Draft Combine. Picture: AFL Photos
Toby Pink (Glenelg) – 195cm, 88kg, Tantanoola FC
The forward became a YouTube sensation, kicking the miraculous 70m behind in his side's under-18 grand final victory.
Jake Pitman (Norwood) – 175cm, 78kg, Golden Grove FC
The tenacious inside midfielder is a great tackler and uses the ball extremely well.
Willie Rioli (Glenelg) – 175cm, 74kg, Tiwi Bombers
The 21-year-old – a cousin of Hawthorn star Cyril - shed 16kg in the off-season, allowing him to create havoc in the midfield as well as in his preferred role as a dangerous small forward.
Steven Slimming (Sturt) – 182cm, 73kg, Unley FC
The outside midfielder has drawn comparisons to Sturt coach and former Adelaide and Sydney Swans player Marty Mattner. One of five SANFL players in the AFL Academy.
Steven Slimming in action for the SA U18 team earlier this year. Picture: AFL Photos
Jordon Sweet (North Adelaide) – 203cm, 104kg, Tea Tree Gully FC
A 203cm, 105kg ruckman who is very good around the contest and gives his midfielders first use of the ball.
Dylan Whimpress (South Adelaide) – 188cm, 73kg, Freeling FC
Has the skills to play at either end of the ground.
Lewis Young (Sturt) – 197cm, 92kg, Mitcham FC
A powerful key forward who can pinch hit in the ruck.
