With the number of genuine ruck prospects for the NAB AFL Draft seemingly thinning by the year, Oakleigh Chargers big man Nick Bryan has put on 12 kilograms in the last 12 months to ensure AFL clubs notice him.
The 202cm 18-year-old emerged in 2019 as a key part of Oakleigh’s dominant ball-winning brigade alongside fellow highly-rated top-agers Matthew Rowell, Noah Anderson and Trent Bianco.
Bryan displayed his prowess both in the air and at ground level in averaging 13 disposals and 25 hitouts per game across seven matches for the Chargers this season, peaking with 20 touches and 26 hitouts in their 53-point NAB League Boys Grand Final triumph over the Eastern Ranges.
* Visit the ‘Highlights’ section of the NAB League app to watch Nick Bryan’s 2019 season highlights.
The Glen Iris (Yarra Junior FL) product also carried much of Vic Metro’s ruck load in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships to confirm his standing as one of the top talls available for November 27-28’s draft.
Bryan’s rise to prominence started after he missed out on selection in Metro’s 30-player academy hub late last year, which drove him to fill out his raw frame.
“I don’t think I was seen as much of a draft chance before this season,” Bryan said at the recent NAB AFL Draft Combine, where he finished among the top 10 players in the running and standing vertical jump tests. “I had the self-belief that I could definitely be a chance though.
“I was disappointed to not make the initial Metro squad and it gave me extra motivation to work really hard over the pre-season and make the final squad.
“I knew I had to put on size, because you need to be strong to compete with bigger bodies in the ruck. I was probably 80 kilos at the end of last year, I started the season at 87 and now I’m 92.
“It’s been a gradual process of going to the gym and eating lots of food but more frequently throughout the day. We started eating steak a bit more at home – and just whatever Mum bought, I’d eat lots of it.”
A beefed-up Bryan began reaping the rewards when he was called into the NAB AFL Australian Under-18 Team for a clash with the VFL’s Casey Demons at the MCG in April.
He soon made the final Vic Metro squad he’d hoped to be part of and has continued developing as a mobile, prolific ruck in the mould of Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy or Melbourne’s Max Gawn throughout 2019.
“I definitely felt fit early in the season and felt like I was playing better footy than I had the previous year,” Bryan said. “When I started getting a few AFL club interviews and made the Metro squad, I thought all the work was paying off.
“I think I have good athletic attributes for my size and I can play a ‘fourth midfielder’ role. The likes of Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn play so well in that role and AFL clubs are looking for those players now.
“My ground-level game is something I’m always working on at training and I’ve been working on better running patterns too.
“I’ve analysed footage of Grundy’s running patterns with my midfield coach (at Oakleigh) Wayne Cripps and tried to implement them into my game. I think that paid off too, because I started getting more involved in the play towards the end of the season.”
NAB LEAGUE ‘FAST FIVE’ QUESTIONS
Most influential person on your football at Oakleigh:
“My midfield coach Wayne Cripps. He helped me change the way I play and it’s really paid off, because I started to play better footy towards the end of the year. I get along really well with him.”
Most valuable lesson learned in the NAB League:
“I’ve learnt about training standards. When you see how well Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson train and the intensity they bring, it’s no wonder they’re so good on game day. You try to match it with them because you want to pick up their standards.”
Teammate you’ve most enjoyed sharing the NAB League journey with:
“Noah Anderson. I’ve known him for a long time and I’ve played a lot of footy with and against him over the years, as well as a bit of basketball. I always enjoy playing with him and I thought we had a good connection in the midfield this year.”
Most difficult NAB League opponent:
“Jack Bell (Sandringham Dragons). He works really hard around the ground and has a good jump in the middle as well.”
Most memorable NAB League moment:
“Definitely winning the premiership this year. It was an awesome reward for all the hard work we put in as a team. I think we were deserving of it.”
