2013 Draft Combine preview

The 2013 NAB AFL Draft Combine will be held from 1-4 October in Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, with 98 of the most talented eligible draftees invited to take place.

To be invited, players must be nominated by at least five AFL clubs. This year’s Combine will feature five NSW/ACT players, whilst another four NSW/ACT players are amongst 100 draft hopefuls taking place in State Combines at Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Kieran Ellis, Michael Gibbons, Max King, Jake Barrett and Nathan Gordon are the five NSW/ACT players scheduled to be tested at the NAB AFL Draft Combine. 

Ellis, Gibbons and Max King all play with the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup and impressed as representatives of the NSW/ACT Rams at this year’s NAB AFL Under-18 National Championships, lining up alongside Temora product Barrett.

Nathan Gordon, a 23-year-old former Swans rookie from Kellyville, Sydney, is currently playing with North Adelaide in the SANFL, and his impressive play has resulted in an invitation to the Draft Combine and a potential second chance at the AFL.

Belconnen juniors Jack Steele and Jedd Clothier, alongside Deniliquin’s Doug Bond, are some of the NSW/ACT players invited to participate in the Melbourne State Combine. Walla Walla’s Jydon Neagle, the son of the late Essendon and Sydney player Merv Neagle, has also been invited and will be in attendance.

The Combine puts each potential draftee through a variety of physical, medical, psychological, psychomotor and skills tests designed to give AFL clubs a measure of each player’s aptitudes. In an interview with afl.com.au, AFL National & International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said that the Draft Combine is integral to a player’s likelihood of being drafted.

“The Combine represents the final chance for players to present their case for inclusion on an AFL list,” said Sheehan.

“AFL clubs have made their judgement on a prospect’s playing ability and game sense, but at the Combine they can look a little deeper into the physical, skill-based and intangible areas.

“The make-up, personality and fabric of the player will be observed. 

“Clubs are after players who are smart, tough and disciplined.”

We asked AFL/NSW State Coach Jason Saddington for his thoughts on each prospect’s playing style and skills:

NATIONAL COMBINE 

Jake Barrett – 182cm Club: Temora 

Inside Midfielder with elite endurance. In only his third season of football, Jake impressed at the National Championships with his clearance and contested ball work. A hard running midfielder with a strong competitive edge. Cousin to Luke Breust (Hawthorn) and Trent Barrett, former Rugby League star. 

Max King – 200cm Club: Murray Bushrangers/Wagga Tigers 

Tall forward/Ruckman with great athletic qualities. Max impressed at the National Championships with his strong overhead marking and clean ground level skills. Kicked 11 goals for the Championships and is very mobile for his size.   

Michael Gibbons – 174cm Club: Murray Bushrangers/Lavington 

Plays predominantly as a midfielder gathering high possession. Strong clearance player who performed strongly at the Nationals averaging 26 possessions per game and an incredible seven tackles per game. Clever player around stoppages who can also play as a dangerous small forward. Displays strong leadership qualities. Vice-Captain of the NSW/ACT RAMS in 2013. 

Kieran Ellis – 187cm Club: Murray Bushrangers/Albury 

Dashing left footer capable of playing many positions. Performed strongly at the National Championships at half back providing great run and drive from defence. A strong endurance athlete with great courage and skill overhead. In only his third season of football, Kieran comes from an elite soccer background.  

Nathan Gordon – 187cm Club: North Adelaide 

Delisted by the Swans at the end of 2012, this former Baulkham Hills/East Coast junior has impressed recruiters with North Adelaide in the SANFL in 2013. A former NSW/ACT RAMS representative. 

STATE COMBINE 

Jedd Clothier – 189cm Club: Calder Cannons/Belconnen 

Jedd is an Essendon Scholarship holder and has demonstrated great versatility as an inside midfielder with the ability to play also as a permanent forward target. A former Narooma and Belconnen junior, Jedd has spent the season with Calder in the TAC Cup competition. Averaged 16 possessions, five marks and three tackles per game at the National Championships.  

Jydon Neagle – 185cm Club: Murray Bushrangers/Walla Walla 

Strong contested ball winner with great hands who plays mainly as a goal kicking mid-sized forward. Impressed at the Nationals kicking 10 goals including a six goal haul against the Northern Territory. Son of former Essendon star Merv, Jydon has also demonstrated an ability to play as a possession winning wingman and half forward.  Clever football brain.

Jack Steele – 184cm Club: Belconnen 

Jack missed the entire National Championships due to a knee injury but had impressed many with his early season form for Belconnen and the GIANTS Academy. An inside midfielder/half forward Jack possesses great hands and skill. A strong one-touch player who rarely fumbles in contested situations. Great overhead mark for his size enabling him to be a dangerous goal kicking forward. 

Doug Bond – 178cm Club: Geelong Falcons/Deniliquin Rams 

Doug missed the entire National Championships due to a shoulder injury. A boarder at Geelong Grammar hailing from southern NSW, Doug has impressed over the past two seasons with the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup competition. A highly skilled and clever footballer who has performed best to date as a wingman/half forward. A competitive type with great character.

Jack Codd-Miller – 191cm Club: Western Suburbs

Jack is a versatile left footer and NSW Scholarship holder with Hawthorn. He is 83kg and capable of providing run and carry from wing/half back or as an elusive goal kicking forward.

Click here for highlights of the NSW/ACT Draft Combine attendees