Five NAB League Boys players are among the second positional grouping announced for October’s 2019 NAB AFL Draft Combine: Medium Forwards.
The AFL Draft Combine will be held in Melbourne from Tuesday October 1 to Friday October 4, with the 11 total Medium Forwards to undergo various tests in front of AFL clubs alongside several other positional groupings among the 79 overall invitees.
“Medium forwards in the AFL today need to have an X-factor or point of difference to make the grade,” AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan said. “Innate goal sense, strength overhead and the ability to turn opponents inside-out are some of the attributes of this positional group.
“Two 2019 NAB AFL Rising Star nominees, in Port Adelaide's Connor Rozee and North Melbourne’s Cameron Zurhaar, were previously part of this group and have gone on to both have an outstanding year, having kicked 55 goals collectively across the home-and-away season.”
* See Kevin Sheehan’s comments on the NAB League Boys players named in the Medium Forwards grouping for the 2019 NAB AFL Draft Combine below.
SAM FLANDERS (Gippsland Power)
182cm, 81kg
Powerful medium forward/midfielder who has impacted matches all year, with his contested-ball-winning ability and strength in one-on-one contests real features of his play. Strong overhead and with a good burst of speed away from stoppages, he won 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian honours after averaging 22.5 disposals, 4.5 marks, 4.5 clearances and six tackles across the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
JOSH HONEY (Western Jets - pictured, centre)
184cm, 79kg
Medium forward/midfielder who showed promise in two matches for Vic Metro at the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and has been a consistent ball-winner for the Western Jets in the NAB League, using his speed from stoppages to break the game open for his team. Very impressive clearance work, with his recent 24 disposals against the Oakleigh Chargers amongst his best performances of the year.
FRASER PHILLIPS (Gippsland Power - pictured, right)
186cm, 71kg
Lightly-built medium forward with natural goal sense and an elite left foot. At his best in the NAB League with five goals from 20 disposals against the Oakleigh Chargers, using his clean hands and game sense to great effect. Represented Vic Country in three matches at the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Grandson of former Sydney Swans star Ken Phillips.
DYLAN WILLIAMS (Oakleigh Chargers)
185cm, 79kg
Left-footed medium forward/defender who is extremely strong overhead and has natural goal sense. Has kicked over 40 goals across the last two seasons in the NAB League, but injury interrupted his 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and he only played two matches for Vic Metro at that level.
LACHLAN WILLIAMS (Dandenong Stingrays - pictured, left)
182cm, 76kg
Extremely versatile medium forward who is also comfortable in the midfield or across half-back, using his footy smarts and ball use to great effect for his team. A good player one-on-one, he represented Vic Country in two matches at the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and has played consistently for the Dandenong Stingrays, averaging 16 disposals and kicking 12 goals in 12 NAB League matches this season.
