The AFL today announced the second group of players that will attend the 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine in October.
The Tall Defenders group at the NAB AFL Draft Combine comprises 13 players including Caleb Marchbank and Ed Vickers-Willis who were included in the 2014 NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian team and three players in Sam Durdin, Hugh Goddard and Jake Lever who are graduates of the NAB AFL Academy.
“AFL clubs are after players in this category with the potential to become the next Harry Taylor, Cale Hooker, Eric MacKenzie or Ted Richards who are some of the star performers as Tall Defenders in the game today,” AFL National and International Development Manager Kevin Sheehan said.
“They have the ability to cover the ground with their size and athletic ability, are terrific one on one , read the play exceptionally well taking intercept marks and provide great rebound for their respective teams.”
Ninety-six players will attend the 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne at Etihad Stadium from Tuesday September 30 to Friday October 3.
State Combines will be held in Hobart (August 27) Melbourne (October 4), Adelaide (October 11) and Perth (October 12).
The remaining positioned groups will be release as follows:
Medium Midfielders – Tuesday August 19
Medium Forwards – Tuesday August 26
Small Forwards/Midfielders/Defenders – Tuesday September 2
Ruckmen – Tuesday September 9
2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine - National
Tall Defenders
NSW/ACT
Logan Austin Belconnen
8.7.1995 Height: 194cm Weight: 86kg
Developing player that has recently transitioned to CHB after starting as a CHF and pinch hitting ruckman. Has excellent closing speed and backs himself regularly to take the mark and win the ball back for his team. Is a good kick of the footy and generally selects the right option when rebounding from defence. Took nine marks in two games for NSW/ACT at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
South Australia
Keenan Ramsey Port Adelaide
23.8.1996 Height: 192cm Weight: 86kg
Tall defender with ability to shut down his opponent while also providing good rebound. Uses the ball well by foot and wins it well in the air and at ground level. Played all six matches in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships averaging 10 disposals as South Australia's number one Tall Defender, rarely having his colours lowered.
Sam Durdin West Adelaide
6.6.1996 Height: 197cm Weight: 87kg
Tall Defender/ Ruckman who is strong overhead and good below his knees .Aggressive in the contest and strong one on one while displaying very good leadership traits. Played important role for South Australia in winning the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, playing all six matches averaging 10 possessions 3.3 marks and 11 hitouts. Member of NAB AFL Academy and won AFL Life Members’ Scholarship in 2013.
Queensland
Nick Jackson Aspley
16.12.1995 Height: 195cm Weight: 86kg
Strong marking Tall Defender who reads the play well coming off his man for intercept marks. Team orientated player who rebounds well from defence. Has shown the ability to also play forward and kick bags of goals. Injury resulted in playing one game in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. A member of the Brisbane Lions Academy.
Victoria
Hugh Goddard Geelong Falcons / Geelong Amateurs
24.8.1996 Height: 196cm Weight: 94kg
Versatile Tall Defender/Forward that is strong overhead and an accurate left foot kick. Has good game sense and was a solid performer for Vic Country in six matches at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 10.2 disposals and four marks. Member of NAB AFL Academy and won Cameron Ling Medal in 2013.
Dan Howe Murray Bushrangers / Rennie
4.12.1995 Height: 191cm Weight: 84kg
Mobile Tall Defender with his x-factor being his overhead marking. Takes the game on and shows initiative with his play and impressed as a 19 year old in four matches for Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 16.5 disposals and four marks in four matches. Covers the ground with ease and can push forward when required.
Daniel Nielson Eastern Ranges / Vermont
9.5.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 90kg
Strong bodied defender that is rarely beaten one-on-one. Has shown he has the ability to play at both ends of the ground. At his best when he keeps things simple. His athleticism and competitiveness are his greatest strengths. He was often given the task of playing on the opposition’s most dangerous Tall Forward throughout his four games in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Has averaged 11.7 disposals and 3.4 Marks in 11 games for the Eastern Ranges.
Kyle Langford Northern Knights / Ivanhoe Grammar
1.12.1996 Height: 190cm Weight: 73kg
Athletic Tall Defender/Forward that has excelled at both ends this year. Reads the play exceptionally well in the air and has clean hands. Provides run from defence with 14.2 disposals at 76% efficiency in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, while also having kicked multiple bags of goals at TAC Cup level.
Christian Bukx-Smith Gippsland Power / Traralgon
27.3.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 82kg
Athletic Tall Defender with an excellent mix of speed (2.99 secs – 20m Sprint) and endurance (13.06 Beep Test). His strong work ethic along with his competitive instincts makes him very difficult to beat one on one. Provides excellent stability as a shutdown defender. Was diagnosed early in the year with stress fractures in his back and has missed the majority of the season.
Ed Vickers-Willis Sandringham Dragons / Melbourne Grammar
28.3.1996 Height: 190cm Weight: 82kg
Tall Defender with excellent athleticism enabling him to play on the taller forwards. Makes good decisions defensively when spoiling and marking, as well as setting up the play from the back half. Had very consistent NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 16 disposals at 81.2% efficiency, 4.2 marks and 3.4 rebound 50s winning All-Australian Under-18 honours.
Jake Lever Calder Cannons / Romsey
5.3.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 84kg
Competitive and aggressive Tall Defender who can shut down opponents while also providing good rebound. Missed entire 2014 after suffering ACL injury but on the way to a full recovery. His leadership is excellent as is his work rate and feel for the game. Member of NAB AFL Academy.
Caleb Marchbank Eastern Ranges
7.12.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 85kg
Very competitive tall defender with excellent mobility and repeat efforts. Anticipates well in coming off his man to support his defence and is strong overhead. Can also push forward and provide a marking target for his team. Averaged 13.5 disposals, four marks and three tackles on his way to All-Australian Under-18 honours at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Zaine Cordy Geelong Falcons / Ocean Grove
27.10.1996 Height: 192cm Weight: 80kg
Tall Defender who excels one on one and has good combination of natural speed and endurance. Uses the ball smartly by hand and foot. Played four matches in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships averaging 10.5 disposals. Eligible Father/Son to Western Bulldogs, where his father Brian played.
2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine – State
Tall Defenders
Hugh Beasley Oakleigh Changers Victoria
12.11.1995 Height: 190cm Weight: 86kg
Michael Hartley Coburg Victoria
7.6.1993 Height: 198cm Weight:
Jordan Bailey Northern Knights Victoria
9.4.1996 Height: 193cm Weight 88kg
Oscar McDonald North Ballarat Rebels Victoria
18.3.1996 Height: 196cm Weight: 84kg
Sean McLaren Sandringham Dragons Victoria
10.1.1996 Height: 197cm Weight: 92cm
Ryan Tester Northern Knights Victoria
2.10.1995 Height: 198cm Weight: 83kg
Josh Watts South Fremantle Western Australia
6.3.1996 Height: 194cm Weight: 75kg
Adam Creeper Subiaco Western Australia
19.10.1996 Height: 194cm Weight: 87kg
Alex Howard Swan Districts Western Australia
20.6.1993 Height: 190cm 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
Ends
