PROMISING AFL South Australian duo Sam Mayes and Troy Menzel lead the group of medium forwards invited to October's NAB Draft Combine.
Mayes had a quieter than expected NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, but gained All Australian honours in 2011 as a bottom-age player.
He is seen as a likely first-round pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft, especially given his versatility and ability to move from attack into the midfield.
Menzel, also a graduate of the AIS-AFL Academy, starred at the beginning of this year's carnival.
See the defenders
The 186cm half-forward kicked nine goals in his state's first-round win over Tasmania, and backed it up with a six-goal haul against Northern Territory.
Unfortunately Menzel, the younger brother of injured Geelong forward Daniel, missed the rest of the championships with a groin injury.
See the medium midfielders
However, talent among the medium forwards group won't be confined to the South Australians, with West Australian product Dayle Garlett set for much attention.
Garlett was a member of the AIS-AFL Academy but dropped out of the elite group earlier this year due to personal issues.
He moved back into recruiters' minds with an impressive carnival, averaging 19 disposals and winning All-Australian honours.
Garlett is a smart, speedy and skilful midfielder who divides his time through half-forward and the midfield.
Victorians Taylor Garner, Rory Atkins and Jason Pongracic are other forwards who invited to the combine who have been highly touted.
They 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.
National Combine Invitees
| Player | Club | Age | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rory Atkins | Calder Cannons (VIC) | 18 | 183 cm | 75 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Medium forward with very good agility and composure with the ball. Makes good decisions with his disposal either by hand or on his preferred left foot. Plays as a hit-up half forward who is a good overhead mark as well as being clean at ground level. Played two games for Vic Metro and is averaging 21 disposals per game at TAC Cup level. AIS-AFL Academy graduate." | ||||
Steven Baldasso | Norwood (SA) | 17 | 183 cm | 73 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Displays great awareness and agility in traffic as well as making excellent decisions with his disposal. Has very clean hands both in the air and at ground level and possesses excellent leg speed. Averages 22 disposals for Norwood at Colts level and has also played in the Reserves during 2012." | ||||
Brian Coleman-Broome | Morningside (QLD) | 18 | 181 cm | 79 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium forward with lightning speed and inate goal sense. Has clean hands particularly off the packs and very good disposal skills. Tackles strongly inside 50 with his 3 goals vs NT for QLD his best performance this year in the AFL U18s." | ||||
Tullio Dematteis | Norwood (SA) | 18 | 184 | 72 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "An explosive medium half forward/winger with the ability to break away from the contest and step his way past opponents. His clean hands and goal sense make him a dangerous player when forward. Played two games with SA at Under-18 level and is averaging 24 disposals in four games with Norwood at Colts level." | ||||
Dayle Garlett | Claremont (WA) | 18 | 180 cm | 75 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Left-footed medium forward/midfielder who can find space to win the ball and shows great evasiveness through traffic. Very smart goalkicker and stoppage player as well. Excelled for WA in the AFL Under-18s averaging 19.2 possessions, 3.4 clearances and winning All-Australian honours." | ||||
Taylor Garner | Dandenong Stingrays (VIC) | 18 | 186 cm | 77 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Medium forward who was a real surprise packet in the NAB AFL U18 Champs with his mobility and overhead marking features. Showed good footy nous as a forward averaging 3.5 tackles and 14.8 disposals. 2012 All Australian." | ||||
Louis Herbert | North Ballarat Rebels (VIC) | 18 | 186 cm | 70 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "A very athletic, lightly built forward with excellent pace as well as endurance that can play multiple roles. Regularly impacts the scoreboard and possesses a penetrating right foot kick while also displaying strong hands overhead when he competes in the air. Kicked a career best eight goals against Murray in Round 8 of the TAC Cup and also appeared in one game for Vic Country at Under-18 level." | ||||
Ben Kearns | Gippsland Power (VIC) | 17 | 183 cm | 73 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Medium forward/midfielder who is very quick and clean and uses the ball well by foot. Been impressive both up forward and in midfield with three games for Vic Country averaging 16.3 disposals (eight contested) and five inside 50s." | ||||
Sam Mayes | North Adelaide (SA) | 18 | 187 cm | 78 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Medium forward who has good speed and elite agility and is a good set shot for goal. Reads the game well as a lead-up forward and starred for SA at AFL U18 level in 2011, winning All Australian honors. Played midfield roles also in U18s this year to continue his development which already sees him playing senior football for North Adelaide." | ||||
Matthew McDonough | Woodville West Torrens (SA) | 18 | 180 cm | 85 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Medium forward whose marking on the lead and pin point goal kicking being features of his play for SA in the U18’s this year. Averaged 18.4 disposals and 3.4 goals per game earning a spot in the All Australian U18 team in 2012." | ||||
Troy Menzel | Central Districts (SA) | 17 | 187 cm | 77 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Left-footed medium forward with exceptional goal sense both on the run and with set shots. Kicked 9 goals vs Tasmania and 6 goals vs NT in sensational fashion in first 2 games of the 2012 AFL U18s before a groin injury interrupted his season. He starred for the Australian U18 team on the European tour earlier this year. Brother of Geelong Cats’ Daniel." | ||||
Brodie Murdoch | Glenelg (SA) | 18 | 187 cm | 85 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Left-footed medium forward with terrific athleticism highlighted by his pace, agility and vertical leap. Strong overhead and has a terrific work ethic in games as a lead-up forward. Is a long penetrating kick and has the tools to play well in defence. Averaged 12.2 disposals, 4 marks and 2.4 tackles in 5 matches for SA in the NAB AFL U18s this year." | ||||
Jason Pongracic | Dandenong Stingrays (VIC) | 18 | 182 cm | 86 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium forward who is super competitive and has a good understanding of the game. Has unrelenting work ethic and a real presence around stoppages. Uses the ball well by hand and foot and is aggressive in his attack on the ball. Played for Vic Country at AFL U18 level in 2011 and 2012 although restricted by injury this year." | ||||
Josh Simpson | East Fremantle (WA) | 18 | 183 cm | 72 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium midfielder/forward who is exciting with his natural speed and agility. Dangerous player around goal and very capable overhead for a player of his size. Represented SA in 2011 AFL U18s before returning to his native WA in 2012 where he played 4 matches and averaged 14 disposals and 3 tackles per game." | ||||
Tim Sumner | Woodville West Torrens (SA) | 18 | 187 cm | 83 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium forward with good pace which allows him to break the lines. Wins his own ball, is strong overhead and is clean with his ball handling. Had just a taste of representative football this year with 1 game for SA in the U18 championships but has progressed rapidly from playing district football last year." | ||||
Marvin Warrell | South Fremantle (WA) | 17 | 182 cm | 70 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: "Medium forward/midfielder with excellent vision and awareness. Has very clean hands and disposes of the ball very effectively on both sides of his body. A creative player that has the ability to find time and space regularly. His defensive pressure is a real feature of his game. Played two games with WA during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships." | ||||
Laine Wilkins | Peel Thunder (WA) | 18 | 183 cm | 78 kg |
| Kevin Sheehan says: “Left-footed medium forward with an exceptional vertical leap and terrific natural speed, which he uses to break the lines. His marking and natural leap are his x-factor, making him a difficult player to match up on. Kicked 4 goals vs Vic Metro at Etihad Stadium in final AFL U18s game for WA showcasing his potentia.l" | ||||
State Combine Invitees
Victoria
Nick Newman
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
D.O.B.: 15.1.93
Height: 186cm
Weight: 76kg
Jacob Zboril
Club: Eastern Ranges
D.O.B.: 29.10.94
Height: 183cm
Weight: 74kg
New South Wales
Joseph Redfern
Club: Sydney Hills
D.O.B.: 18.11.94
Height: 187cm
Weight: 85kg
Western Australia
Max Duffy
Club: East Fremantle
D.O.B.: 11.4.93
Height: 185cm
Weight: 80kg
Tim Kelly
Club: South Fremantle
D.O.B.: 26.7.94
Height: 182cm
Weight: 76kg
Ben Saunders
Club: South Fremantle
D.O.B.: 25.12.91
Height: 186cm
Weight: 82kg
Chris Yarran
Club: Perth
D.O.B.: 27.3.94
Height: 183cm
Weight: 80kg
Dale Hamilton
Club: South Fremantle
D.O.B.: 23.2.94
Height: 183cm
Weight: 72kg
George Hampson
Club: Subiaco
D.O.B.: 8.2.90
Height: 188cm
Weight: 80kg
