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Saints snap up American

  • Wednesday, October 02 2013 @ 07:30 am ACST
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American Jason Holmes is described at the AFL Draft combine in Melbourne this week as 203cm, 104kg , born 28/10/89 - Potential key position player/ruckman from Moorehead State in Kentucky ( the Ohio Valley Conference of the NCAA Division I-AA) with a multiple sports background in basketball, soccer, NFL, baseball and golf. Was introduced to AFL at the USA Combine in April 2013. Left-footer who looked natural with the ball by hand and foot. 

 
It doesn't mention he has been on the track this year learning the game with the Chicago Swans and playing in their Metro league competition.  But for Holmes the rest of the Draft Combine won't be under too much pressure to impress.  St Kilda today announced that they have signed him as an International Rookie.   With internationals it is a case of you snooze you lose.  But it's not like other teams haven't had a chance to sign him.  He has already paraded in front of club recruiters at the USA Combine and during a few weeks earlier this year under the wing of Paul Roos in Sydney and his signature could have been secured at any of those times.  And now the Saints have got in first.
 
Fellow American at the Draft Combine Mark Cisco however will be keen to keep pushing his case before clubs and if signed will be the third International Rookie to make it to an AFL list from this year's US Combine after Patrick Mitchell signed with the Sydney Swans earlier this year.
 
Other internationals at this year's Draft combine are the returning NZ Kurt Heatherley (already signed by Hawthorn), and first timers Jeconiah Peni (PNG) and Daniel Flynn (Ireland).   Also worth mentioning from an international point of view is Kenyan born Sudanese player Aliir Aliir. 

The St Kilda press release: 

St Kilda Football Club is pleased to announce it has signed American college basketballer Jason Holmes as an International Rookie.
 
The athletic 23-year-old, originally from Chicago, is a multi-talented sportsman, with a background in American Football, soccer and most recently playing division one college basketball with the Morehead State Eagles in Kentucky.
 
“Basketball is very important to me, but sometimes you burn out a little bit and you want to do something new,” Holmes said.
 
“Basketball conditioning and footy conditioning are obviously different, but I love getting up there and rucking and using my athleticism and I do feel comfortable kicking so I enjoy that.”
 
St Kilda Head of Football Chris Pelchen said Holmes would be a long-term prospect for the Saints.

“Jason’s athleticism and competitiveness holds him in good stead for this competition,” Pelchen said.
 
“He knows his progression will take time but he is willing to work hard and we can’t ask for more than that.”
 
After impressing at the AFL combine held in Los Angeles in April this year, and training with the Sydney Swans Academy mid-year under Paul Roos, Holmes, who stands at 203 centimetres is a potential ruck/key position prospect for the Saints.
                                                                                   
Holmes is partaking in the 2013 Draft Combine this week.
 
The Internationals at this years AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne, Australia.
 

Jeconiah Peni (PNG) 174, 71, 15/8/95

Strong-running outside player with good skills and leadership qualities.

Shows a good turn of speed and excellent lateral movement, which

is evident in his ability to take opponents on and step through traffic.

Applies good defensive pressure. Played for PNG at the 2012 Under-16

NAB AFL Championships

 

Daniel Flynn (Ireland)

Medium midfielder with explosive pace and a big tank. Has great

lateral movement and has represented his county, Kildare, at senior

level in the All-Ireland Championship. Represented European League

against an Australian under-18 team in Surrey in April 2013.

 

Aliir Aliir (East Fremantle, WA) 196, 90, 5/9/94

Tall defender born in Kenya of Sudanese heritage who has developed

into a rebounding defender. Can also go forward and kick goals. Strong

overhead with good natural leap. Moved from Queensland to WA

this year and has represented both states in the NAB AFL Under-18

Championships in the past two years.

 

Kurt Heatherley (Sandringham Dragons, NZ) 195, 84, 1/1/95

Tough and courageous tall defender with elite speed – as displayed

in his time of 2.84secs in the 20m sprint at the 2012 Draft Combine

at Etihad Stadium – and a genuine appetite for the contest. Rarely

beaten in a one-on-one contest, his spoiling and closing speed

are features of his game. Is an International Scholarship holder

with Hawthorn.

 

Jason Holmes (USA) 203, 104, 28/10/89

Potential key position player/ruckman from Moorehead State University

in Eastern Kentucky with a multiple sports background in basketball, soccer,

NFL, baseball and golf. Was introduced to AFL at the USA Combine

in April 2013. Left-footer who looked natural with the ball by hand

and foot.

 

Mark Cisco (USA) 207, 115, 17/7/91

Potential ruckman from Columbia University with a basketball and

NFL background. Imposing athlete with a great appetite for the

competition. Has a double degree in political science and psychology.