World Footy News

The AFL today announced the second group of players, Medium Midfielders to be invited to the NAB AFL Draft Combines to be held in October 2012 as part of its talent identification process in the lead up to the 2012 NAB AFL Draft.

 

The NAB AFL Draft Combine, involving 120 players at National Level, will be held at Etihad Stadium from 2-5 October, with state Draft Combines to be held in Melbourne (6 October), Adelaide (13 October) and Perth (14 October).

 

Among those invited is 2010 World XVIII player Emmanuel Irra.  He is described as “Small midfielder who is extremely quick and skilful on both sides. Born in Uganda and has already played senior football at South Adelaide. Played for the World Team in the 2010 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships before playing for SA in the 2011 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and the 2012 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Has a huge appetite for the game and a big upside in terms of future development. From AIS-AFL Academy’s 15^th Intake ”

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The Medium Midfield group comprises 45 players who are between 180cm and 189cm in height and play predominantly through the midfield in inside and/or outside roles and includes five All-Australians from the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and ten players who are members or graduates of the AIS-AFL Academy .

 

“The Medium Midfield group also includes four players who are 17 years-old and eligible for the October Mini Draft which is part of the GWS Trade Incentive Rule . They are an extremely talented group made up of Victoria’s Josh Kelly and Matt Crouch, SA’s Luke Dunstan and WA’s Jack Martin, all exciting prospects in line for one of the remaining two spots available under that rule,” said AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan.

 

In all, over 200 players have been invited to test at the NAB AFL Draft Combines with other positioned groups to be released as follows:

 

21 August – Medium Defenders

 

28August – Medium Forwards

 

4 September – Tall Defenders

 

11 September – Tall Forwards

 

18 September – Ruckmen

 

 

Club : Northern Knights

D.O.B. : 26.02.1994

Height : 186cm

Weight : 82kg

“Medium midfielder with a big engine and super competitive. Can play as a rebounding defender who competes well one-on-one in marking contests and at ground level. Averaged 16.8 disposals for Vic Metro at 70.8% efficiency.”

 

Club : North Ballarat Rebels

D.O.B. : 21.04.1995

Height : 182cm

Weight : 72kg

“Prolific ball winning medium midfielder who excels at the stoppages with his clean hands and clever reading of the play. Averaged 19.2 disposals at 76.6% efficiency in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year. New member of AIS AFL Academy in 2012”

Club : Western Jets

D.O.B. : 13.12.1994

Height : 181cm

Weight : 78kg

“Medium midfielder with rare game sense, great agility and smartness around goals. Averaged 15.5 disposals in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and has a damaging left foot. Eligible father/son to Western Bulldogs where his father Mark played.”

Club : Gippsland Power

D.O.B. : 12.06.1994

Height : 182cm

Weight : 76kg

“Medium Midfielder who is a terrific competitor with great lateral movement and evasive ability. Strong overhead and very good by foot, he has been a prolific ball winner for Gippsland Power this year averaging 25 disposals .Can also play role up forward presenting as a target and applying good defensive pressure .”

 

Club : Sandringham Dragons

D.O.B. : 12.02.1995

Height : 180cm

Weight : 69kg

“Composed left footed medium midfielder with rare decision making ability and neat disposal. Father Phil played 62 games with North Melbourne after winning two Sandover Medals in the WAFL. Averaged 15.8 disposals and five marks. Bottom aged player and member of AIS-AFL Academy.”

 

Club : Calder Cannons

D.O.B. : 21.04.1994

Height : 183cm

Weight : 75kg

“Medium midfielder who is a prolific ball winner and smart user of the ball. Runs all day and makes good decisions with the football in heavy traffic. Has good game sense and an excellent mix of speed and endurance. Classy type who averaged 18.5 disposals at 77% efficiency for Vic Metro and was rewarded with All Australian honours following the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships .Another AIS-AFL Academy graduate “

 

Club : North Ballarat Roosters

D.O.B. : 04.05.1990

Height : 189cm

Weight : 83kg

“Medium Midfielder who was a member of the VFL State squad this year . Is a player who can break the lines with his speed and agility in traffic and is strong overhead . Mature aged player having a consistent year in VFL.”

 

Club : Dandenong Stingrays

D.O.B. : 18.07.1994

Height : 184cm

Weight : 74kg

“Classy medium midfielder with rare awareness and decision-making ability complemented by skills either side with hands and feet. Is naturally gifted with speed and endurance and is strong overhead. All-Australian at NAB AFL Under-18 level in 2011 and winner of AFL Life Members Scholarship. Backed it up this year winning the Larke Medal and All-Australian honours averaging 23.2 disposals. Another player who has been through the AIS-AFL Academy.”

 

Club : Bendigo Pioneers

D.O.B. : 07.10.1994

Height : 185cm

Weight : 83kg

“Strong medium midfielder with a distinct hard edge that wins him contested ball, including at the stoppages. Has elite endurance and can push forward and hit the scoreboard. Ferocious tackler who is a good overhead mark and prolific ball winner. Averaged 24.2 disposals for Vic Country in thr NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year, winning All-Australian honours. AIS-AFL Academy Graduate.”

 

Club : Port Adelaide

D.O.B. : 22.03.1994

Height : 182cm

Weight : 73kg

“Medium midfielder with excellent speed, vision and composure with the ball. Averaged 15.2 disposals at 77% efficiency during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships playing an important role for SA in their midfield rotations.”

 

Club : Woodville West Torrens

D.O.B. : 29.01.1995
Height : 184cm

Weight : 82kg

“Left footed medium midfielder with damaging foot skills and rare ball winning ability in the contested situation. Bottom aged player who captained Australia with James Aish at Under-17 level vs New Zealand in 2012. Member of AIS-AFL Academy ”

 

Club : South Adelaide

D.O.B. : 25.03.1994

Height : 179cm

Weight : 80kg

“Small midfielder who is extremely quick and skilful on both sides. Born in Uganda and has already played senior football at South Adelaide. Played for the World Team in the 2010 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships before playing for SA in the 2011 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and the 2012 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Has a huge appetite for the game and a big upside in terms of future development. From AIS-AFL Academy’s 15^th Intake ”

 

Club : Woodville West Torrens

D.O.B. : 02.01.1994

Height : 183cm

Weight : 77kg

“Energetic medium midfielder with outstanding work ethic and big aerobic capacity. Terrific ball winner and weights his kicks extremely well. Impressive for SA in 2011 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and in the senior SANFL Grand Final, when he was among the best for 2011 Premiers, Woodville West Torrens. Won All Australian honours this year averaging 22.2 disposals. AIS-AFL Academy Graduate “

 

Club : Claremont

D.O.B. : 29.01.1995

Height : 185cm

Weight : 64kg

“Exciting and super athletic midfielder/forward with great natural leap and break away pace. Super overhead and prolific ball winner who tackles strongly. Bottom aged player who averaged 19.2 disposals and six marks earning him All Australian honours in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Current member of AIS-AFL Academy ”

 

Club : North Ballarat Rebels / NT Thunder

D.O.B. : 07.03.1994

Height : 183cm

Weight : 78kg

“Medium midfielder with accurate left foot and excellent natural pace and endurance. His run and carry and evasiveness were features of his performances for the NT, averaging 18.4 disposals across the at NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.”

 

Club : Launceston

D.O.B. : 14.11.1994
Height : 183cm

Weight : 86kg

“Tough medium midfielder who attacks the ball aggressively and is clean with his ball handling and distribution. Has explosive power and is very competitive, always showing great intensity around the contest and strong second efforts. Nephew of Essendon midfielder Sam Lonergan. Overcame injury to play the final three matches in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 16.3 disposals and laying 5.3 tackles per game. Another AIS-AFL Academy graduate  ”

Club : Broadbeach

D.O.B. : 23.03.1994

Height : 180cm

Weight : 75kg

“Medium midfielder who excelled in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for QLD, averaging 18.2 disposals at 70% and winning All Australian honours. Clean hands and neat disposal skills are features of his game.”

 

 

Club : Glenorchy

D.O.B. : 16.1.1989
Height : 188cm

Weight : 77kg

Club : Sandringham Zebras

D.O.B. : 09.10.1989
Height : 182cm

Weight : 80kg

 

Club : Pennant Hills

D.O.B. : 29.06.1994
Height : 184cm

Weight : 73kg

 

Club : Western Jets

D.O.B. : 06.04.1994
Height : 181cm

Weight : 73kg

 

Club : Labrador

D.O.B. : 19.12.1992
Height : 189cm

Weight : 84kg

 

Club : Glenelg

D.O.B. : 15.10.1993
Height : 186cm

Weight : 74kg

 

Club : Redland

D.O.B. : 16.02.1993
Height : 182cm

Weight : 78kg

 

Club : Geelong Falcons

D.O.B. : 17.10.1994
Height : 181cm

Weight : 70kg

Club : Oakleigh Chargers

D.O.B. : 21.08.1994
Height : 185cm

Weight : 82kg

 

Club : Pennant Hills

D.O.B. : 25.05.1994
Height : 182cm

Weight : 75kg

 

Club: Frankston

D.O.B. : 08.09.1990
Height : 186cm

Weight : 83kg

Club: North Ballarat Rebels

D.O.B. : 20.9.1993
Height : 180cm

Weight : 72kg

Club: North Ballarat Rebels

D.O.B. : 06.03.1993
Height : 185cm

Weight : 83kg

Club: Frankston

D.O.B. : 17.09.1990
Height : 182cm

Weight : 81kg

Club: Dandenong Stingrays

D.O.B. : 18.01.1994
Height : 180cm

Weight : 76kg

Club: Dandenong Stingrays

D.O.B. : 22.12.1994
Height : 180cm

Weight : 74kg

Club: Balmain

D.O.B. : 03.01.1994
Height : 180cm

Weight : 73kg

Club: Dandenong Stingrays

D.O.B. : 16.01.1993
Height : 182cm

Weight : 77kg

Club: Uni of NSW-Eastern Suburbs

D.O.B. : 05.07.1994
Height : 182cm

Weight : 75kg

Club: Geelong Falcons

D.O.B. : 31.08.1994
Height : 182cm

Weight : 75kg

Club: Port Melbourne

D.O.B. : 18.08.1993
Height : 188cm

Weight : 78kg

Club: Eastern Ranges

D.O.B. :  28.05.1993
Height : 185cm

Weight : 82kg

 

Club : West Adelaide

D.O.B. : 29.03.1994
Height : 180cm

Weight : 68kg

Club : North Adelaide

D.O.B. : 12.5.1994
Height : 177cm

Weight : 69kg

Club: Sturt

D.O.B. : 11.12.1994
Height : 185cm

Weight : 74kg

Club : Perth

D.O.B. : 24.02.1994
Height : 180cm

Weight : 81kg

Club : South Fremantle

D.O.B. : 22.07.1994
Height : 187cm

Weight : 80kg

Club: South Fremantle  

D.O.B. : 09.08.1994
Height : 183cm

Weight : 68kg

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