VERSATILE utility Jackson Macrae and All Australian half-back flanker Nick Vlastuin head the group of medium defenders to be invited to this year's NAB AFL Draft Combine. 

Vlastuin impressed with his decision making for Vic Metro during this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was a worthy inclusion in the All Australian team, while Metro teammate Macrae was similarly eye-catching and can consider himself unlucky not to have received the same honour.

Macrae, who plays for the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup, added to his draft credentials with a starring role with the Associated Public Schools representative team recently.

The annual game between APS and the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria side at Keilor resulted in a 57-point win to APS with Macrae gathering 44 possessions at 71 per cent disposal efficiency and taking 20 marks.

He spent more time up forward in Vic Metro's big win against Tasmania during the national championships and booted six goals.

In addition to an impressive showing at the national carnival, Vlastuin has been a consistent performer for the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup, featuring in the Knights' best players in seven of his nine games this season.

While those two youngsters will attract plenty of interest at this year's NAB AFL Draft, a couple of older heads have also been given the chance to push their cases for selection with Frankston's Leigh Osborne and Paul Marshall, from SANFL club Central Districts, included in the group.

Osborne, 22, and Marshall, 20, will join about 120 players at the national combine to be held at Etihad Stadium from October 2-5, with a further 80 invited to state combines in Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

2012 NAB AFL Draft Combine - National Medium Defenders

Player	Club	Age	Height	Weight
Jason Ashby	Oakleigh Chargers	18	185 cm	77 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Hard running defender who links up well providing terrific rebound for the Chargers. Smart decision maker with and without the ball, showing himself to be sound overhead and a quality defensive spoiler. Averaged 18.2 disposals in nine TAC matches this year at 70.7 percent efficiency. ”
Cameron Banfield	Sandringham Dragons	18	183 cm	74 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Balanced and poised defender who uses the ball very well on either foot. Has excellent natural speed and tackles strongly. Averaging 17.6 disposals (40 percent contested) and three tackles in 12 TAC Cup matches this year.”
Matthew Dick	Calder Cannons	18	187 cm	86 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Extremely quick and team orientated defender who uses the ball well by foot. Tackles strongly and can play on taller and smaller opponents. Breaks the lines with his pace and can play midfield. Member of the Vic Metro team that won the 2012 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships playing in four matches.”
Martin Gleeson	North Ballarat Rebels	18	186 cm	69 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Hard running defender/wingman who has a good combination of speed and endurance. Is a composed player that uses the ball well with hand and foot. Durable type with good footy smarts. Played 16 TAC Cup matches this year averaging 14.1 disposals, four marks and two tackles. ”
Matthew Haynes	Northern Knights	18	189 cm	76 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium midfielder/defender with elite speed and agility. Breaks games open with his run and carry and can hit the scoreboard both on the run and from set shots. Strong overhead in one-on-one situations and has terrific team orientation. Averaged 15.8 disposals at 68.3 percent efficiency in NAB AFL Under-18 Championships providing consistent drive for Vic Metro. AIS-AFL Academy member.”
Sean Lynch	South Fremantle	18	184 cm	76 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium defender with both pace and endurance which allows him to provide terrific rebound. Durable type who averaged 20.8 possessions for WA in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year which included 9.4 contested.”
Jackson Macrae	Oakleigh Chargers	18	188 cm	75 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Versatile medium midfielder who can also go back or forward. Big improver this year and is a long left foot kick. Shows great courage in the air and at ground level in his attack on ball. Kicked six goals against Tasmania in an outstanding performance and averaged 19.4 disposals at 78.4 percent efficiency in the Under-18 Championships this year. Averaged 23 disposals ain seven TAC Cup games to date this year.”
Paul Marschall	Central Districts	20	189 cm	90 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Very competitive defender who excels one on one. Composed under pressure, and uses the ball extremely well by hand and foot. Strong overhead and makes good decisions. Playing consistently at senior level for Central Districts, averaging 16.7 disposals at 79.7 percent in 18 matches.”
Jake McKenzie	Western Jets	18	180 cm	72 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium defender who is extremely versatile and can play midfield or forward. Reads the play exceptionally well, makes good decisions and uses the ball efficiently. Averaged 12.2 disposals at 78.7 percent efficiency for Vic Metro. Brother Trent players for Gold Coast Suns.”
Leigh Osborne	Frankston	22	186 cm	84 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Rebounding medium defender who can also play through the midfield. Possesses a very good burst of speed and is an excellent kick on his preferred left foot. Played with the Eastern Ranges at TAC Cup level before a stint with local club East Ringwood. In 2012 he crossed to Frankston in the VFL and has become a shining light in defence averaging 17.4 disposals. Loves to run and carry the ball, can be a dangerous player when delivering inside forward 50. Accumulated a season best 28 disposals against Williamstown in Round 12.”
Jackson Ramsay	East Perth	17	181 cm	71 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Courageous and composed defender with pace and an excellent work rate. Has good disposal skills and makes sound decisions with or without the ball. Played three matches for WA at Under-18 level before missing the final two matches with injury. Averaged 24.4 disposals in five matches at Colts level in WAFL”.
Tom Tyquin	Sandringham Dragons	17	182 cm	72 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Versatile type who can play mid, back and forward. Uses the ball well and a sound decision maker who played in the Dragons TAC Cup Premiership in 2011. Member of the 2012 Vic Metro team and averaged 16 disposals in 13 matches with the Dragons this year.”
Nick Vlastuin	Northern Knights	18	187 cm	83 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium midfielder/defender who attacks the ball aggressively and rarely fumbles. Strong and courageous in the air, he also excels at the stoppages. Loves the physical pressure of the game, winning contested ball and tackles strongly. Captained Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and won All-Australian honours for his work as a medium defender averaging 16.6 disposals and 4.6 marks. AIS-AFL Academy member.”
Zac Williams	Narrandera (NSW)	17	183 cm	80 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium midfielder who can go forward or back. Very good at winning contested ball with his clean hands and strong clearances. Won NSW/ ACT’s MVP in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships averaging 17 possessions (9.5 contested), 5.5 clearances and four tackles.”
Nathan Wright	Dandenong Stingrays	18	183 cm	78 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium midfielder/defender who attacks the ball aggressively and rarely fumbles. Strong and courageous in the air, he also excels at the stoppages. Loves the physical pressure of the game, winning contested ball and tackles strongly. Averaged 14.8 disposals and was impressive in his four matches for Vic Country in this year’s Under-18 championships. AIS-AFL Academy member”

 

2012 NAB AFL Draft Combines - State
 
Melbourne:
Stephen Wray
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
D.O.B.: 15.4.94
Height: 182cm
Weight: 77kgs
 
Michael Wyld
Club: Morningside
D.O.B.: 20.7.94
Height: 187cm
Weight: 84kgs
 
Tyler Blake
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
D.O.B.: 21.3.94
Height: 184cms
Weight: 76kgs
 
Joseph Curran
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
D.O.B.: 21.5.94
Height: 185cm
Weight: 93kgs
 
Tom Grimes
Club: Northern Knights
D.O.B.: 1.12.94
Height: 189cm
Weight: 76kgs
 
Ryley Hall
Club: Gippsland Power
D.O.B.: 14.2.94
Height: 185cm
Weight: 85kgs
 
Zak Sherman
Club: Geelong Falcons
D.O.B.: 13.7.94
Height: 180cm
Weight: 74kgs
 
Caleb Vearing
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
D.O.B.:  9.7.94
Height: 188cm
Weight: 82kgs
 
Adelaide
Dylan Alice
Club: Ltyentye Apurte
D.O.B.:  24.11.93
Height: 184cm
Weight: 79kgs
 
Ed O’Connor
Club: Norwood
D.O.B.:  22.1.94
Height: 184cm
Weight: 75kgs
 
Luke Thomas
Club: Norwood
D.O.B.:  11.12.91
Height: 185cm
Weight: 80kgs
 
Sam Underwood
Club: Glenelg
D.O.B.: 3.10.94
Height: 185cm
Weight: 77kgs
 
Mitch Wilkins
Club: Norwood
D.O.B.: 1.10.94
Height: 182cm
Weight: 72kgs
 
Perth
Riley Hutchinson
Club: East Perth
D.O.B.: 21.1.94
Height: 186cm
Weight: 88kgs
 
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