The AFL has announced the final group of players that will attend the 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine in October.

 

The ruckmen group comprises of 11 players including two prospects identified at the AFL's International Combine held in Los Angeles in April.

 

AFL national and international talent manager Kevin Sheehan said: "It's extremely exciting for our code to have two further potential players from the USA in Marvin Baynham and Evan Bruinsma at our Draft Combine joining nine other promising players from around Australia in the ruckmen category. With Eric Wallace (North Melbourne), Jason Holmes (St Kilda) and Patrick Mitchell (Sydney Swans) already listed and developing their craft in state leagues  along with Collingwood signing Mason Cox earlier this year, a 211.4 cm prospect from Oklahoma State, we are beginning to develop a niche pathway for extremely tall and athletic potential ruckmen or tall defenders into AFL."   

 

The 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine will be held in Melbourne at Etihad Stadium from Tuesday September 30 to Friday October 3 with 101 prospects under the scrutiny of the 18 AFL clubs.

 

State Combines will also be held in Melbourne (October 4), Adelaide (October 11) and Perth (October 12).

 

2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine - National Ruckman

 

 

Potential Ruckman or Tall Defender from Miami, Florida in USA with college basketball, American Football and track background. Has elite speed (2.82 seconds for 20m) and exciting overall athletic ability, excelling at USA Combine in Los Angeles in April 2014.

 

Potential Ruckman or Tall Defender from Michigan with a college basketball and high school soccer background playing as a centre back. His x-factor is his vertical leap and showed at the USA Combine he could quickly adapt to AFL ball with his kicking and competitive nature.

 

 

Developing Ruckman/Tall Forward who marks strongly, uses his bulk well in the contest and is reliable set shot for goal. Has missed considerable game time due to injury in recent years but showed considerable promise in nine games with the Dragons kicking 18 goals this year and playing three matches with Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Son of former Hawk Paul Dear and eligible father/son .

 

?Athletic Ruckman/Tall Forward with neat disposal and clean hands. Has very good game sense and impressed for Victoria Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in 2014.  Averaged 14.9 disposals, four marks in 16 matches for the Rebels.

 

Tall Forward who can pinch hit in the ruck. Extremely strong overhead mark and accurate kick for goal. Kicked 35 goals in 10 matches for the Knights this year. Father Warren was a premiership player for Carlton.

 

Ruckman who is highly competitive and aggressive in the contest and directs the ball well at stoppages. Has good skills set including his overhead marking. Covers the ground well and represented Victoria Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

 

8.9.1996          Height: 203cm            Weight: 102kg?

Ruckman/Tall Forward who is a long, accurate shot for goal and sound overhead mark. Mobile player who’s ruckwork is impressive, using his height to advantage. Very good below his knees and has great running capacity. Won All-Australian Under-18 honours.

 

 

Tall Defender and backup Ruckman who has a real presence in the contest and is strong overhead. Agile and good user of the footy can also push forward and provide a target. Played six games for Queensland at TAC Cup level this year, averaging 14 disposals and 6.5 marks.

 

Ruckman and Tall Forward who can present well on the lead and mark one on one. Good set shot for goal. From a rugby league background in Townsville, has continued to adjust to AFL in 2014.

 

20.11.1996      Height: 199cm            Weight: 85kg?

Ruckman with very good athletic ability including natural leap and speed. Averaged 17.3 disposals and 5.3 marks in 13 Colts games in WAFL this year. At his best in both games against Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

 

Ruckman/Tall Forward who is still developing but played an important role for South Australia in winning NAB AFL Under-18s Championships this year. Can take a strong mark and is mobile as a tall forward and competitive by nature. Averaged 12.6 disposals and 5.4 marks at Under-18 level with Sturt.

 

 

Sam Baulderstone       Norwood SA

 

Darcy Cameron           Claremont WA

Paul Hunter                 Redlands Qld

Mark Kovacevic          Calder Cannons Vic

Will Kristelly               Brisbane Lions Academy Qld

Rielly O'Brien             Calder Cannons Vic

Peter Spurling             Glenelg SA

Sam Tagliabu              Essendon VFL

Cameron Loersch        South Fremantle WA