JAKE Stringer is among the tall forwards invited to this year's NAB AFL Draft Combine with the Bendigo product one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2012 draft talent pool.

Stringer, a powerfully built and versatile player, badly broke his left (non-kicking) leg in a tackle during the Pioneers' first game of the 2011 TAC Cup season.

After an arduous year-long rehabilitation process, he returned to the field in the AIS-AFL Academy's match against Box Hill at the MCG in March this year before departing on the Academy's European tour, then made a big splash with nine goals in his first game back with Bendigo.

Stringer also played three games with Bendigo's VFL side to reinforce his credentials as a potential first-round pick, but AFL recruiters will be looking for him to undertake a full medical assessment at the combine so they can be satisfied he isn't suffering any lingering effects from the leg break.

Stringer is one of 13 tall forwards invited to the national draft combine to be held at Etihad Stadium from October 2-5.

The group also includes potential Collingwood father-son pick James Stewart and Queenslander Jordon Bourke, who could join the Cats via the father-son rule or Gold Coast as a zone selection.

Approximately 120 players will be invited to the national draft combine with another 80 invited to state combines to be held in Adelaide (October 13), Perth (October 14) and Melbourne (October 6).
 
"The tall forwards are still arguably the most influential players in the game and often the hardest to identify early when eligible," AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.

"Fremantle champion Matthew Pavlich was overlooked by all AFL clubs as a 17-year-old in 1998 before Fremantle selected him at choice No.4 in 1999."

2012 NAB AFL Draft Combine - National: Tall Forwards

Player	Club	Age	Height	Weight
Jordon Bourke	Morningside (QLD)	17	193 cm	83 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Tall forward who is exceptionally strong overhead and a reliable shot for goal. Quick on the lead and reads the ball well in the air. Son of former Geelong Cats ruckman Damien Bourke and is eligible for them under the father/son rule or the Gold Coast Suns as a zone selection. Averaged 12.4 disposals and 4.2 marks for QLD in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships showing his overall potential. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.”
Matthew Brett Image: Shepparton News	Murray Bushrangers, VIC	18	188 cm	79 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Hard working tall forward with strong hands, both on the lead or in a contested situation. Makes good decisions when in possession of the ball by either hand or foot, and applies great defensive pressure to the opposition when they have it. A very good reader of the play, he also has the ability to play at either end of the ground. Had a season high 18 disposals and 10 marks (five contested) Vs Dandenong in Round 16 of the TAC Cup.”
Michael Close	North Ballarat Rebels (VIC)	18	195 cm	82 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Mobile and strong marking tall forward who missed three games in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships due to injury. Has elite endurance for his size (15 plus beep test) and excellent disposals by foot. He also has the ability to play as a backup ruckman.”
Brant Colledge	Perth (WA)	17	192 cm	87 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Hard working player who presents with multiple leading efforts and has strong hands in the contest. Uses the ball well by hand and foot and has overcome an ankle injury which restricted him to the last two matches in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Been in excellent touch at Colts level of late, averaging 20.1 disposals and 8.4 marks in the past seven games.”
Jesse Hogan	Claremont (WA)	17	193 cm	91 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Imposing tall forward/defender who takes contested marks and can really impact a game. Really competitive and intensive type who excelled for WA in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 6.4 marks and 13.6 disposals and winning All-Australian honours. Eligible for the min-draft in 2012 and current member of the AIS-AFL Academy.”
Tim O'Brien	Glenelg (SA)	18	192 cm	81 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Tall, quick moving forward whose X-factor is his overhead marking. Averaged five marks and 2.2 goals per game in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and is a reliable set shot for goal. His six goals against Tasmania in Round One was a highlight.”
Marco Paparone	East Fremantle (WA)	18	193 cm	84 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Tall forward with elite endurance (15+ beep) which allows him to keep presenting up forward or to play midfield which he did in the final game of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Dangerous around goal and creative player who averaged 16 disposals, four marks and 1.5 goals per game for WA this year.”
Josh Scott	Gippsland Power (VIC)	18	190 cm	76 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “A courageous tall forward with an excellent set of hands in the air. He has the ability to take it out in front on the lead or going back with the flight in a contested situation. An agile player that can also compete at ground level, his vision and game sense are very good. Played one game for Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships kicking two goals. Impacts the scoreboard regularly and this was highlighted in his season best haul of six goals in the opening round of the TAC Cup season vs the Geelong Falcons.”
Mason Shaw	South Fremantle (WA)	18	197 cm	82 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Tall forward who is very strong overhead and has smarts around goals. Kicked seven goals in the WAFL in the NAB AFL Under-18 Grand Final in 2011. A reliable kick for goal from set shots as well as clever with his snap shots. Has excellent endurance for a tall with a beep score of 14 plus showing his potential to play across half forward. Kicked four goals for WA against Vic Country this year. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.”
James Stewart	Sandringham Dragons (VIC)	18	197 cm	82 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Tall forward with outstanding agility for his size. Very poised with his disposal by hand or foot and can play at either end of the ground or through the midfield. Has good game sense and natural pace. Is eligible for father/son to Collingwood, where father Craig played. Represented Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships with his best game vs TAS gaining 23 possessions including 15 contested and six marks. Graduate of the AIS-AFL Academy.”
Jake Stringer	Bendigo Pioneers (VIC)	18	191 cm	91 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Tall forward/defender who excels one-on-one with his marking and body positioning. His kicking is both penetrating and precise, whether forward or back, and he has good speed off the mark. Thrives on the contest and tackles strongly. Overcome serious leg injury last season to play some excellent football for Bendigo Pioneers this year and represent Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.”
Mitchel Van Den Berg	North Launceston (TAS)	19	190 cm	72 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Tall forward who is strong overhead and a reliable set shot for goal. Provided TAS with a mobile target up forward in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships playing as a 19 year-old. Outstanding against Queensland in Tasmania’s upset win in Round Three with 20 possessions, 10 marks and two goals.”
Mason Wood	Geelong Falcons (VIC)	19	190 cm	78 kg
	Kevin Sheehan says: “Left footed tall forward who presents well on the lead and is strong overhead. Averaged 13 disposals for Vic Country this year in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships with his best game against their arch rival, Vic Metro. Has elite endurance and work rate and is capable of playing as a wingman as well. Has clean hands, good vision and excellent awareness.”

2012 NAB AFL Draft Combines - State
Melbourne:
Jesse Boyd
Club: Calder Cannons
Height: 192cm
Weight: 86kg
DOB: 29.01.1994
 
Jake Calvert
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Height: 192cm
Weight: 93kg
DOB: 30.05.1993
 
Scott Clouston
Club: Redlands
Height: 191cm
Weight: 84kg
DOB: 02.02.1987
 
Liam Flaherty
Club: Eastlake
Height: 194cm
Weight: 87kg
DOB: 14.11.1993
 
Sam Gordon
Club: Geelong Falcons
Height: 192cm
Weight: 90kg
DOB: 31.03.1993
 
Khan Haretuku
Club: Frankston
Height: 199cm
Weight: 101kg
DOB: 19.10.1989
 
Ryan Morrison
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Height: 190cm
Weight: 83kg
DOB: 06.03.1994
 
Josh Porter
Club: Murray Bushrangers
Height: 193cm
Weight: 95kg
DOB: 26.04.1994
 
Matt Rennie
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Height: 190cm
Weight: 79kg
DOB: 16.06.1994
 
Spencer White
Club: Western Jets
Height: 194cm
Weight: 88kg
DOB: 22.09.1994
 
Simon Deery
Club: Gippsland Power
Height: 192cm
Weight: 84kg
DOB: 18.09.1993
 
Adelaide
Kaiden Brand
Club: West Adelaide
Height: 197cm
Weight: 84kg
DOB: 08.04.1994
 
Ethan Gill
Club: Glenelg
Height: 194cm
Weight: 94kg
DOB: 31.12.1994
 
Justin Hardy
Club: Central Districts
Height: 196cm
Weight: 97kg
DOB: 14.01.1988
 
Brad Hartman
Club: Sturt
Height: 188cm
Weight: 75kg
DOB: 16.11.1994
 
Tom Schott
Club: West Adelaide
Height: 189cm
Weight: 78kg
DOB: 27.04.1994
 
Perth
Tom Lee
Club: Claremont
Height: 194cm
Weight: 94kg
DOB: 02.01.1991