THE AFL will revert to multiple state-based NAB AFL Draft Combines this year with clubs desperate for as much testing as possible on prospects.
The annual national draft Combine that has been held in Melbourne for the past decade will not happen due to Victoria's second wave of COVID-19.
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But the League still plans to hold Combines in across the country during the next school holidays period to ensure clubs have as much data as possible on this year's crop given the season's disruptions.
In recent years there has been approximately 80 players from Australia invited to test and meet clubs in a week-long national Combine in Melbourne.
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More than 100 more players, who receive fewer nominations from AFL recruiters, have been invited to test at single-day state Combines as well.
But this year the League will undertake only state-based Combines across the country with certain testing likely to be reduced and tailored on a more individual basis.
For instance, prospects' previous testing will be assessed to see if there are any glaring gaps from their history that can be addressed via athletic and physical tests this year.
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Selection for the Combines will be guided by club nominations, however draft hopefuls who either played for the NAB AFL Academy at under-17 level or in the Grand Final day NAB AFL All Stars 'Futures' game last year will be automatically included.
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It is also likely that there will be a scaled back amount of physical testing, with endurance, sprinting, jumping and agility tests held over two days in recent years.
The Combines will be important for clubs being able to medically screen players, as well as interview prospects, although they have been able to meet virtually with prospects since June.
They are expected to be staged in the next block of school holidays for the various states so not to overlap with studies as a majority of draft hopefuls approach year 12 exams.
