The AFL today announced the eighth group of players, Ruckmen, to be invited to the NAB AFL Draft Combines to be held in October 2012 as part of its talent identification process in the lead up to the 2012 NAB AFL Draft.
The NAB AFL Draft Combine, involving 114 players at National Level, will be held at Etihad Stadium from October 2-5, with state Draft Combines to be held in Melbourne (October 6), Adelaide (October 13) and Perth (October 14).
The Ruckmen group comprises 17 players who play predominantly ruck and key forward roles and includes two All-Australian in Joe Daniher and Brodie Grundy from the NAB AFL Under-18 and three players who are members or graduates of the AIS-AFL Academy.
“In the 26 year history of the AFL Draft, ruckmen have proven to be the most popular choice in being selected number one with six ruckman having that honour, including Jeff White (Fremantle 1994), Michael Gardiner (West Coast Eagles 1996 ), Josh Fraser (Collingwood 1999) and Matthew Kruezer (Carlton 2007)” said AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan.
In all, over 220 players have been invited to test at the NAB AFL Draft Combines.
Highlights of the 2012 NAB AFL Draft Combine will be covered daily by Fox Sports News.
The 2012 NAB AFL Draft Combine will be covered extensively on the AFL website (www.afl.com.au/combine) with a daily wrap, interviews with the top prospects, AFL coaches and recruiters along with live footage and highlights of all the tests to be undertaken by the next generation of AFL footballers.
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.
The NAB AFL Rising Stars Program provides recognition and a clearly identifiable direction for a player’s career, and compromises the following elements:
· NAB AFL Rising Star
· NAB AFL Draft
· NAB AFL Draft Combine
· NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
· AIS-AFL Academy
· NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
2012 NAB AFL Draft Combine - National
| Player | Club | Age | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aliir Aliir | Aspley (QLD) | 18 | 193 cm | 82 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Super athletic Ruckman that has elite jumping ability that allows him to leap over opponents. Born in Kenya of Sudanese heritage, his rise to the top has been rapid. Played with the U16 World Team in 2010 & 2011, he then went on to become a pivotal player for Queensland in the 2012 NAB AFL U18 Championships. He also has the ability to play up forward as well as in defence, possesses very strong hands over head and is clean and agile at ground level. Has played 2 games with the Brisbane Lions Academy kicking 2 goals in each." | ||||
Miles Bolger | South Fremantle (WA) | 19 | 201 cm | 90 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Very mobile Ruckman with a terrific work rate that covers the ground well and provides a very good marking target. Has had his fair share of injuries however when fully fit he has shown his effectiveness both in the ruck as well as up forward. Possesses a very good understanding of the game and likes to play a physical brand of footy." | ||||
Joe Daniher | Calder Cannons (VIC) | 18 | 201 cm | 89 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Left-footed tall forward/ruckman who is exceptional overhead and an accurate set shot for goal. Has rare mobility for a player of his size and can win the ball at ground level up the field. Signed father/son to Essendon, where father Anthony played. Excelled in final game of AFL U18s Champs taking 11 marks and kicking 4 goals. Won All Australian honours". | ||||
Darcy Fort | Geelong Falcons (VIC) | 19 | 203 cm | 84 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: “Developing ruckman in his first year with the Geelong Falcons as a 19 year old. Fiercely competitive and passionate player who can also be dangerous when pushing forward. Agile, and a good decision maker. He has averaged 10 disposals, 3.5 marks, 25.9 hit-outs and 3.4 tackles in his 10 matches at TAC Cup Level." | ||||
Sam Gilmore | Northern Knights (VIC) | 19 | 200 cm | 93 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Strong, physical Ruckman who is still learning the game after crossing from basketball. His appetite for the contest and his ability to provide his midfield team mates with first use of the ball through hit-outs are a real strength of his game. Has also shown at times that he can push forward and provide a strong target. Played all 5 games with the Division 1 winners Vic Metro at this year’s NAB AFL U18 Championships where he carried the ruck duties on his own and dominated the hit-outs on most occasions." | ||||
Brodie Grundy | Sturt (SA) | 18 | 202 cm | 100 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Ruckman who imposes himself on games with his physical presence. Excels in directing the ball at stoppages and can be a dangerous marking target up forward. Won All Australian U18 honours in 2011 and has played senior football with Sturt. Backed it up this year becoming a dual All Australian averaging 15 disposals and 24.2 hit outs in 2012." | ||||
Jack Hannath | Central Districts (SA) | 21 | 199 cm | 85 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Young developing ruckman who reads the game well and always looks to provide a target around the ground. Has the ability to play as a key defender or forward that can drift forward and kick goals on occasion. His foot skills and decision making are very good as are his football smarts. A very mobile player that covers the ground well, he has established himself as a regular player at Senior level for Central Districts." | ||||
Liam McBean | Calder Cannons (VIC) | 17 | 202 cm | 84 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Lightly framed ruckman/key defender who can win the ball in the air and at ground level. Very agile player who is gifted athletically and makes good decisions with the football. Is an accurate shot for goal when he goes forward. Played mainly as a key defender in 2012 AFL U18s Champs where he’s still developing his game. Dangerous as a tall forward." | ||||
Toby Nankervis | North Launceston (TAS) | 18 | 197 cm | 102 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Developing ruckman/forward who recently chose football as his preferred sport after being a member of the Tasmanian Cricket Academy. His ability to compete both in the air as well as at ground level is fantastic. His tap work is very good and allows his smaller players to gain first use around the stoppages. Played in 4 of the 5 games at this year’s NAB AFL U18 Championships, his most dominant display coming against NSW/ACT where he amassed 34 hit-outs and kicked 1 goal." | ||||
Lewis Pierce | Dandenong Stingrays (VIC) | 17 | 202 cm | 87 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "An exciting young Ruckman with good endurance and the ability to take a nice overhead mark. Has genuine football smarts and very good game sense and awareness. His tap work is very good as is his ability to cover the ground and provide a tall mobile target. Has shown he can also go forward on occasions and be effective. His leadership and football character are excellent. Played in 4 of 5 games for Vic Country at this year’s NAB AFL U18 Championships." | ||||
Chris Prowse | Oakleigh Chargers (VIC) | 19 | 203 cm | 92 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "19 year old ruckman that started the year in promising fashion being the number 1 ruckman for hit-outs in the TAC Cup before suffering a foot injury. Has since comeback and impressed with his ability to take contested marks and dominate the stoppages with his tap work. A genuine competitor who is also effective at ground level as well as in the air. Has shown he is more than capable of pushing forward and playing out of the goal square where he has been able to kick goals. Played 1 game as the 23rd player with VFL team Port Melbourne in Round 21." | ||||
Cameron Symonds | East Fremantle (WA) | 20 | 205 cm | 100 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "A physical ruckman with the ability to play forward who has a real appetite for the contest. His aggression and desire to compete is a real feature of his game. Has good kicking depth around the ground as well as the ability to kick goals from outside 50, his set shot goal kicking is excellent. He has become a regular fixture at Senior level with East Fremantle since getting his opportunity in Round 11. Is improving his ability to impact the game around the ground and his repeat efforts and ability to compete at ground level are real attributes for a player of his size." | ||||
2012 NAB AFL Draft Combines - State
Melbourne
Kyle Hendy
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Height: 199cm
Weight: 93kg
DOB: 26.02.94
Lachlan Mirams
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Height: 197cm
Weight: 77kg
DOB: 31.06.94
Dean Robertson
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Height: 200cm
Weight: 91kg
DOB: 21.08.94
Adelaide
Daniel Currie
Club: North Adelaide
Height: 199 cm
Weight: 92kg
DOB: 15.02.89
Perth
Mack Byron-Prendergast
Club: East Fremantle
Height: 203cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: 14.02.94
