THE AFL on Thursday announced the third positional group of players that will attend the 2018 NAB AFL Draft Combine at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne from October 2 to October 5.
The small forwards/midfielders/defenders comprise of 12 players including three 2018 NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australians, three members of the Next Generation Academy and four members of the NAB AFL Academy. A further 18 small forwards/midfielders/defenders will be tested at the State Draft Combines to be held in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth on October 5, 13 and 14 respectively.
AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan said: “There is no doubt smaller players are very much back in high demand in the AFL with reigning premiers Richmond setting the trend. The likes of Kane Lambert, Dion Prestia, Daniel Rioli, Jack Higgins and Jayden Short are all under 180cm and are playing significant roles for the team.
"More than ever before the saying ‘if you’re good enough, you’re big enough’ rings true in selecting AFL talent."
2018 NAB AFL Draft Combine – National
Small forwards/midfielders/defenders
Tyron Smallwood Western Australia/Claremont/Royals
08/04/2000 Height: 177cm Weight: 80kg
Small forward/midfielder with neat skills and is an excellent decision-maker when under pressure. A strong tackler he is also dangerous around goals. Represented Western Australia in the 2018 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and made his senior debut for Claremont in the final round of the WAFL this season.
Sydney Stack Western Australia/Perth/Federals
24/04/2000 Height: 177cm Weight: 72kg
An Indigenous small forward/midfielder who has good balance between winning both contested and uncontested ball. Averaged 21.3 disposals using his handball skills at stoppages to great effect winning NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian honours this year. A tough and physical player with great football smarts and skill. Finished the year playing three senior games for Perth in the WAFL.
Irving Mosquito Vic Country/Gippsland Power/Maffra
24/08/2000 Height: 175cm Weight: 69kg
An Indigenous small forward with an exciting turn of speed and good goal sense. Very creative player with a penetrating left foot. Missed this year’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships due to injury but now back with Power and is capable of turning games. Eligible for Hawthorn under the Next Generation Academy rules.
Hayden Sampson South Australia/South Adelaide
02/03/2000 Height: 177cm Weight: 67kg
Small forward/midfielder who is skilful, elusive and quick. Creative player who is a good decision-maker and smart reader of the ball off hands. His father, Clay Sampson, played with Melbourne, Adelaide and Richmond however doesn’t qualify as a father/son selection.
Toby Bedford Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays/Rosebud
27/05/2000 Height: 176cm Weight: 65kg
Super quick and elusive small forward/midfielder who was outstanding for Vic Country against Western Australia where he collected 20 possessions, eight tackles and seven inside 50m highlighting his potential. An Indigenous player who is eligible for Melbourne under the Next Generation Academy rules.
Jarrod Cameron Western Australia/Claremont
03/05/2000 Height: 180cm Weight: 69kg
A clever and creative small forward who has pace and is dynamic around the goals. His five goals for Western Australia in this year’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships against Vic Country highlighted his potential. Brother of Brisbane Lions star Charlie Cameron and eligible for the West Coast Eagles under the Next Generation Academy rules.
Zac Foot Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays/Langwarrin
24/12/2000 Height: 180cm Weight: 71kg
Small midfielder/wingman with line breaking speed on the outside. Not 18-years-old until December so one of the younger players in the NAB AFL Draft with further development ahead of him. Represented Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and has been a consistent performer for the Dandenong Stingrays with his 17 disposals and four goals against the Rebels a season highlight.
Ned McHenry Vic Country/Geelong Falcons/Barwon Heads
13/07/2000 Height: 178kg Weight: 71kg
A very competitive small forward who wins his own ball and plays with zest and passion. His elite running capacity allows him to create numbers around the contest and transition both ways. Played extremely well for Vic Country against Vic Metro with 17 disposals, 10 tackles and two goals. A member of the NAB AFL Academy.
Tom Joyce Western Australia/East Fremantle
07/03/2000 Height: 180cm Weight: 72kg
Small midfielder with elite endurance and quick, clean hands on the inside. Has excellent work rate and works hard to pressure and tackle when he doesn’t have the ball. A hip operation curtailed his year, but he is on the road to a full recovery. A member of the NAB AFL Academy.
Luke English Western Australia/Perth/Manning
14/01/2000 Height: 180cm Weight: 74kg
Small midfielder who excels with his ball winning ability and distribution whether playing on the inside or outside. Has elite endurance and work ethic which makes him a ball magnet. Hard at the ball and with clean hands, he averaged 23.2 disposals and 5.5 tackles to be one of Western Australia’s top performers in this year’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships winning Under-18 All-Australian honours. Won the Jack Clarke Medal in the WAFL Under-18 competition as a bottom aged player in 2017.
Ian Hill Western Australia/Perth/South Perth
09/02/2000 Height: 174cm Weight: 65kg
Indigenous small forward with elite speed and agility making him very dangerous around goals. Capable in the air one-on-one and has innate goal sense. Had an interrupted year due to a shoulder injury but is an exciting prospect who not only wins his own ball but applies tackling pressure up forward for his team. A member of the NAB AFL Academy.
Chayce Jones Allies/Tasmania/Launceston
14/01/2000 Height: 180cm Weight: 74kg
Small midfielder/forward who is strong in his attack on the ball and the opposition. Strong overhead for his height and extremely versatile having played extremely well earlier in the year for the NAB AFL Academy against North Melbourne at half back. Won Under-18 All-Australian honours after captaining Tasmania to victory in Division Two of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and starring for the Allies.
2018 NAB AFL Draft Combine – State
Small forwards/midfielders/defenders
Jake Aarts Richmond VFL
08/12/1994 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
Atu Bosenavualagi Oakleigh Chargers
17/09/2000 Height: 179cm Weight: 79kg
Connor Bristow Norwood
15/07/2000 Height: 180cm Weight: 70kg
Declan Carmody Glenelg
16/03/2000 Height: 177cm Weight: 70kg
Ben Cavarra Williamstown
20/12/1995 Height: 175cm Weight: 72kg
Kade Chandler Norwood
13/01/2000 Height: 173cm Weight: 73kg
Kyle Clarke Murray Bushrangers
31/01/2000 Height: 174cm Weight: 72kg
Tate Coleman South Adelaide
05/10/2000 Height: 179cm Weight: 70kg
Tobin Cox Glenelg
15/07/1999 Height: 177cm Weight: 78kg
Martin Frederick Woodville-West Torrens
17/05/2000 Height: 178cm Weight: 74kg
Jed Hill GWV Rebels
06/07/2000 Height: 179cm Weight: 68cm
Tom Lewis Sturt
18/02/2000 Height: 179cm Weight: 80kg
Jay Lockhart Casey Scorpions
03/02/1996 Height: 177cm Weight: 75kg
Rhyan Mansell North Launceston
04/06/2000 Height: 178cm Weight: 72kg
Darcy Marsh Brisbane Lions Academy
25/07/2000 Height: 178cm Weight: 75kg
Jarvis Pina Peel Thunder
30/10/2000 Height: 173cm Weight: 58kg
Jake Tarca South Adelaide
23/02/2000 Height: 175cm Weight: 75kg
Boyd Woodcock North Adelaide
05/03/2000 Height: 174cm Weight: 68kg
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 comprises the following elements:
- NAB AFL Rising Star
- NAB AFL Draft
- NAB AFL Draft Combine
- NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
- NAB AFL Academy
- NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
NAB has supported the footy community for over a decade, providing boys and girls with a clear pathway from NAB AFL Auskick through the NAB AFL Rising Stars program all the way to the big time.
