The AFL today announced the fourth group of players that will attend the 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine in October at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.
The Medium Forwards group comprises of 11 players including Conor McKenna from County Tyrone, in Ireland, as the search for potential AFL talent broadens.
AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said: “Medium Forwards like Hawthorn’s Luke Breust, who was selected as a Rookie or Sydney Swans Luke Parker, chosen in the Draft at selection number 40, are sometimes difficult to identify with their ability to read the flow of play coming into the forward zone and off packs often uncanny.”
“Rare talent to win one-on-one contests at ground level and in the air are other assets of the Medium Forward. Essentially they need to be accurate around goals and more than ever be prepared to apply intense defensive pressure inside 50. Speed in decision-making and agility are some of the other tools of the successful Medium Forwards in the AFL,” he said.
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 Melbourne (October 4), Adelaide (October 11) and Perth (October 12).
The remaining positioned groups will be release as follows:
Small Forwards/Midfielders/Defenders – Tuesday September 2
Ruckmen – Tuesday September 9
2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine - National
Medium Forwards
Western Australia
Aidan Anderson WA Swan Districts
DOB 8.10.1996 Height: 182cm Weight: 83kg
Dangerous Medium Forward with good pace and goal sense. Marks strongly overhead and can often provide the opposition with a difficult match-up. Uses his body exceptionally well in a one on one contest and is rarely beaten. Averaged 10.4 disposals and 3.6 marks across five games during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships while also kicking six goals. Has spent the majority of the year playing at League Level for Swan Districts.
Jermaine Miller-Lewis WA South Fremantle
DOB 23.2.1996 Height: 187cm Weight: 75kg
Very talented Medium Forward who missed the entire NAB AFL Under-18 Championships due to injury. His speed and ability to read the play makes him a dangerous target, particularly on the lead. Can often make something out of nothing and is the barometer for his team. Plays the game with a hard edge and genuine competitive spirit.
Victoria
Daniel Butler Vic C North Ballarat Rebels
DOB 3.6.1996 Height: 181cm Weight: 79kg
Exciting Medium Forward that possesses extreme pace and lateral movement. Very creative type, dangerous near goal and also has the ability to play midfield or in defence when required. Averaged 11.8 disposals and 2.3 marks over six games in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships playing with Vic Country. His best came against Western Australia kicking three majors.
Ed Langdon Vic M Sandringham Dragons
DOB 1.2.1996 Height: 182cm Weight: 72kg
Medium Forward with excellent speed and goal sense. Outstanding against South Australia at AAMI Stadium kicking four goals before injury curtailed his NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Prior to that he averaged 11.3 disposals, 2.3 goals and four tackles in three matches A player that makes things happen when the ball is in his area. Brother of Tom at Collingwood.
Lukas Webb Vic C Gippsland Power
DOB 4.3.1996 Height: 186cm Weight: 80kg
Left footed Medium Forward that is strong overhead, an excellent one on one player that is rarely beaten and an excellent kick. Reads the game well and had an outstanding final game in championships, kicking four goals from 16 disposals with six marks against Western Australia at Etihad Stadium. Averaged 15.2 disposals in five NAB AFL Under-18 Championship matches.
Northern Territory
Nakia Cockatoo NT NT Thunder
DOB 23.10.1996 Height: 185cm Weight: 86kg
Powerfully built Medium Forward/Midfielder with elite step through traffic. His initial speed out of the contest creates separation on his opponents. Uses the ball with precision on either side of the body and can impact the scoreboard when he pushes forward. Suffered stress fracture in foot causing him to miss the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships after impressing in 2013. NAB AFL Academy Member.
South Australia
Declan Hamilton SA Port Adelaide
DOB 18.3.1996 Height: 183cm Weight: 68kg
Medium Forward who is very composed with the ball in his hands making good decisions by hand and foot. Has excellent endurance and averaged 16 possessions at 76% effectiveness across the six matches during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Has great awareness and also seems to have time. Nephew of former stars Darren and Andrew Jarman.
Oleg Markov SA North Adelaide
DOB 8.5.1996 Height: 186cm Weight: 69kg
Medium Forward/Midfielder with elite athletic ability. Has previously recorded a 2.99 second 20 metre sprint time as well as posting a 15.1 Beep Test, this combination of speed and endurance is hard to find. Loves to run and carry the ball often breaking the lines. Possesses an excellent vertical jump which often sees him marking strongly over the top of his opponents. Has suffered two broken collarbones during 2014. Son of Olympic and former World Champion Pole Vaulter Dmitri Markov.
James Rose SA Sturt
DOB 16.4.1996 Height: 186cm Weight: 78kg
Powerful Medium Forward with excellent hands and outstanding natural leap. Very good on the lead and a penetrating kick. Loves the physical side of the game while also proving a difficult match-up for the opposition due to his excellent overhead marking ability. Averaged 10.6 disposals in five matches throughout the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
NSW/ACT
Brydon Hodgson NSW/ACT Murray Bushrangers
DOB 16.9.1996 Height: 185cm Weight: 79kg
Hard working Medium Forward that attacks the ball with intent. Has been hampered early in the year with groin issues. Shows a genuine willingness to learn and is always looking to do what is best for his team mates. Averaged 13.3 disposals and 3.7 marks in his three games for NSW/ACT during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
International
Conor McKenna IRELAND
DOB 28.3.1996 Height: 182cm Weight: 77kg
Tough, powerful and very explosive Medium Forward/Midfielder from Tyrone in Ireland. His ability to step his way through traffic is exceptional as is the counter attack he provides through the midfield. Shows excellent marking ability overhead and genuine football smarts when the ball is on the ground. His kicking has very good penetration and he looks a very likely International prospect.
2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine – State
Medium Forwards
Henry Carey Sturt SA
7.12.1996 Height: 183cm Weight: 78kg
Bailey Dale Dandenong Stingrays Vic C
22.7.1996 Height: 182cm Weight: 70kg
Marcus Hamilton Big River Hawks NT
20.6.1996 Height: 180cm Weight: 75kg
Matthew Palfrey Claremont WA
1.12.1995 Height: 187cm Weight: 89kg
Jesse Palmer North Ballarat Rebels Vic C
17.10.1996 Height: 188cm Weight: 81kg
Mitch Rainbird Glenorchy Tas
24.10.1996 Height: 185cm Weight: 80kg
Rory Sheridan-Ferrie Eastern Ranges Vic M
30.7.1996 Height: 189cm Weight: 76kg
Tom Wilkinson Sandringham Dragons Vic M
7.3.1996 Height: 182cm Weight:78kg
Aaron Wilson Dandenong Stingrays Vic C
26.2.1996 Height: 188cm Weight: 79kg
Shane Yarran Subiaco WA
2.6.1989 Height: 186cm Weight: 76kg
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
