THE FIRST group of players invited to attend this year's NAB AFL Draft Combine has been released with as many as six potential first-round draft picks amongst the small defenders, small midfielders and small forwards.

Melbourne father-son pick Jack Viney will likely be the first player to have his name called at the national draft meeting, to be held on the Gold Coast on November 22, but there are several other highly credentialed players in the group.

South Australian's Ben Kennedy, Sam Colquhoun and Harley Montgomery, Vic Metro's Nathan Hrovat, Northern Territory pair Jed Anderson and Jake Neade and Western Australia's Adam Carter all pressed their claims for early selection with strong performances at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Approximately 120 players will attend the national combine, to be held at Etihad Stadium from October 2-5, with the first group of invites comprising 32 players who are 180cm or under in height.

"Physical size has never stopped a player progressing to star at AFL level," AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.

"'If you're good enough, you're big enough', has always been the catch cry in AFL.

"You only have to look at Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli (177cm) or North Melbourne's Brent Harvey (172 cm), both stars of the game; they set the game alight with their speed, agility and footy nous.

"This year's group of 'smalls' includes players with similar capabilities."

State combines will also be held in Adelaide (October 13), Perth (October 14) and Melbourne (October 6), which will take the number of players taking part in athletic testing as part of the national talent identification process to around 200.

Six more groups - medium midfielders, medium defenders, medium forwards, tall defenders, tall forwards and ruckmen - will be released over the next six weeks.
 
Kevin Sheehan's take on the small defenders, midfielders and forwards at this year's national 2012 NAB AFL Draft Combine:
 

Player	Club	Age	Height	Weight
Jed Anderson	NT Thunder (NEAFL)	18	178 cm	75 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: "“Left footed small midfielder/defender who is exceptional overhead for his size and a relentless tackler. Was an All-Australian at NAB AFL Under-18 level in 2011 and this year won NT’s Most Valuable Player for his performances in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 16.2 possessions and six tackles per match.”
Adam Carter	South Fremantle (WAFL)	18	179 cm	70 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: "Small midfielder/defender who is extremely clean with his ball handling and ball use making good decisions and executing well. Averaged 16 disposals at an impressive 78 per cent for WA at NAB AFL Under 18 level. Brother to Mitch Carter at Carlton."
Sam Colquhoun	Central Districts (SANFL)	17	179 cm	72 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: "Small defender who is a brilliant reader of the play and rarely fumbles. Set up many rebounds for SA in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 28.4 disposals and six marks across the five matches. Won SA’s Most Valuable Player and rewarded with All-Australian honours.”
Chris Deluca	Subiaco (WAFL)	17	176 cm	87 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Small forward/midfielder with a penetrating left foot and explosive turn of speed. Has the ability to win his own ball on the inside as well as being a dangerous finisher on the outside. A strongly built player with an appetite for the contest who reads the play very well. Currently playing senior football for Subiaco.”
Will Hams	Gippsland Power (TAC Cup)	18	180 cm	70 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Small midfielder/defender that can also push forward if required. His relentless attack on the football and the opposition are a real feature of his game. Is very neat in his disposal either by hand or foot and possesses a never say die attitude. Averaged 11.5 disposals in four games for Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.”
Nathan Hrovat	Northern Knights (TAC Cup)	18	174 cm	76 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Dynamic small midfielder who is a prolific ball winner and great user of the footy. Averaged 25.2 disposals (10 contested) and 4.4 clearances in winning Vic Metro’s Most Valuable Player and All-Australian honours this year.”
Ben Kennedy	Glenelg (SANFL)	18	174 cm	76 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Left-footed small forward/midfielder with explosive pace and rare agility. Prolific ball winner who excels at stoppages and is extremely dangerous around goals with set shots or snaps. In 2011 won All-Australian NAB AFL Under 18 Championship honours as a bottom-aged player and debuted at senior level. Backed it up this year with All-Australian honours, averaging 26.2 disposals.”
Harley Montgomery	Sturt (SANFL)	18	177 cm	70 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Small defender who reads the play very well and is a smart decision maker. Uses his natural pace to close down opponents and set up the play. Impressive for SA in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and later debuted for Sturt at senior level.”
Jake Neade	North Ballarat Rebels / NT Thunder	18	170 cm	64 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Pocket rocket midfielder/forward who attacks the ball aggressively and tackles strongly. Has terrific speed and endurance and is very creative in setting up the play. Had an outstanding NAB AFL Under-18 Championships averaging 18.4 disposals and 3.6 tackles in winning the Harrison Medal (Div 2 B&F) and All-Australian honours.”
Adam Saad	Calder Cannons (TAC Cup)	18	177 cm	73 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Small defender with excellent disposal and penetration on his preferred left foot. Reads the play very well, is agile and a fantastic overhead mark. Sets up counter attacks from half back regularly and is averaging 16.1 disposals this season at TAC Cup level. In 2011 played for the World team in NAB AFL Under 16 Championships and won the Most Valuable Player award. ”
Nathan Stark	Glenelg (SANFL)	18	177 cm	70 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Small midfielder who bodylines the ball and is aggressive in the contest winning plenty of one-on-one footy. Consistent performer for SA at NAB AFL Under 18 level averaging 18.8 disposals (6.8 contested) and 2.6 tackles.”
Jarrod Stokes	Darwin (NEAFL)	17	175 cm	63 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Small midfielder/forward with brilliant leg speed and very clean hands. Is very composed under pressure and attacks the ball at pace. Averaged 12.2 possessions at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. Can be very dangerous when playing forward and has the ability to take opposition defenders on.”
Shannon Taylor	Claremont (WAFL)	18	177 cm	72 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Composed small midfielder who can play an inside or outside role. Has excellent pace as shown when he was the fastest player over 20 metres (2.86 seconds) at last year’s NAB AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium when considered for the mini draft. Represented WA again in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging 14.5 disposals, four inside 50s and three tackles. Good user of the ball by hand and foot.”
Tom Temay	Sandringham Dragons (TAC Cup)	18	179 cm	74 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Small defender/midfielder who is a great competitor and is rarely beaten in a one-on-one contest. Prolific ball winner for Vic Metro averaging 18.8 disposals at 77.3% efficiency in NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. Father Paul played 52 games for St Kilda.”
Jack Viney	Oakleigh Chargers (TAC Cup)	18	178 cm	80 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Left-footed small inside midfielder who attacks the ball with ferocity and tackles strongly. Was prominent for SA at NAB AFL Under 16 level in 2010 before shifting back to Victoria and playing for Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships in 2011. Signed father/son to Melbourne, where father Todd played. Played the last two NAB AFL Under 18 Championship matches for Vic Metro, this year averaging 17 disposals and four clearances.”

 
2011 NAB AFL Draft Combines - state level
 
MELBOURNE
Anthony Bonnadio
Club: Northern Knights - TAC Cup  
Age: 18
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 73 kg
 
Andrew Gallucci
Club: Calder Cannons - TAC Cup
Age:  18
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 65 kg
 
Sean Hetherington
Club: Calder Cannons - TAC Cup
Age: 17
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 72 kg
 
Brady Jones
Club: Clarence - Tas State League
Age: 18
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 75 kg
 
Sam Martyn
Club: Murray Bushrangers - TAC Cup
Age: 18
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 74 kg
 
Mark Walsh
Club: North Launceston - Tas State League
Age: 18
Height: 178cm
Weight: 74 kg
 
Harry O'Meara
Club: Bendigo Pioneers - TAC Cup
Age: 17
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 75 kg
 
Kenny Ong
Club: Sandringham Dragons - TAC Cup  
Age: 18
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 72 kg
 
Nick Rippon
Club: North Ballarat Rebels - TAC Cup
Age: 18
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 79 kg
 
Anthony Tipungwuti
Club: Gippsland Power - TAC Cup  
Age: 19
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 72 kg
 
Jordan Williams
Club: Eastern Ranges -TAC Cup
Age: 18
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 77 kg
 
ADELAIDE
Todd McKay
Club: South Adelaide - SANFL
Age: 17
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 74 kg
 
Ben Rioli
Club: St Marys - NT
Age: 18
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 62 kg
 
PERTH
Bayden Antonio
Club: West Perth - WAFL  
Age: 17
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 64 kg
 
Dylan Clarke
Club: Subiaco - WAFL
Age: 20
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 60 kg
 
Shaquille McKenzie
Club: East Perth - WAFL
Age: 18
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 67 kg
 
Shane Nelson
Club: West Perth - WAFL  
Age: 19
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 73 kg

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.