The AFL today announced the fifth group of players that will attend the 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine in October at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.
The Small Forwards/Midfielders/Defenders group comprises of 11 players including two Under-18 All-Australians. Two players have been upgraded from the Victorian State Combine due to their recent form.
AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said: “Increasingly AFL clubs are looking for smaller players who can play at either end of the ground in specialised roles or through the midfield in bursts.
“This week the Geelong Falcons’ Teia Miles and the Oakleigh Chargers’ Toby McLean have been upgraded to the NAB AFL Draft Combine recognising their outstanding recent form.
“Also upgraded this week are North Ballarat’s Oscar McDonald (Tall Defender) and from the Dandenong Stingrays Bailey Dale (Medium Forward).”
The 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine will be held in Melbourne at Etihad Stadium from Tuesday September 30 to Friday October 3.
State Combines will be held in Melbourne (October 4), Adelaide (October 11) and Perth (October 12).
The remaining positioned groups will be release as follows:
Medium Defenders Tuesday September 9
Ruckmen Tuesday September 16
2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine - National
Small Forwards/Midfielders/Defenders
South Australia
Harrison Wigg SA North Adelaide
DOB 14.10.1996 Height: 179cm Weight: 74kg
Small Defender that is an elite left foot kick which helped set up his team on the rebound and from kick-ins. Reads the play exceptionally well averaging 18.8 disposals at 79.3 percent effectiveness during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, as well as winning South Australia’s MVP. To cap off an outstanding championships he was also named in the All-Australian Under-18 team in defence.
Caleb Daniel SA South Adelaide
DOB 7.7.1996 Height: 167cm Weight: 68kg
Small Forward who is a prolific ball winner and makes great decisions and executes well by hand or foot. Shows the ability to bring others into the game. Had an outstanding last three games of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 20 disposals at 92 per cent efficiency and two goals per game on his way to winning All-Australian honours.
Cory Gregson SA Glenelg
DOB 4.9.1996 Height: 175cm Weight: 72kg
Small Forward with dynamic foot skills as well as providing aggressive inside 50 pressure, averaging 6.8 tackles together with his 13.6 possessions. Can also push into the midfield when required where he excels around the stoppages. Had a very consistent NAB AFL Under-18 Championships playing five matches for the winners South Australia. Already played senior football at Glenelg.
Western Australia
Josh Deluca-Cardillo WA Subiaco
DOB 11.5.1996 Height: 179cm Weight: 80kg
Exciting Small Midfielder with elite leg speed and ability to break the lines through his desire to run and carry the football. His lateral movement often sees him stepping through traffic with ease, a competitive player that is rarely beaten one on one. Has played nine games at Subiaco in their League team averaging 12.2 disposals, 2.6 marks and one goal per game. Missed the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships due to injury.
Jarrod Garlett WA South Fremantle
DOB 18.8.1996 Height: 177cm Weight: 73kg
Small Midfielder/Forward with line breaking speed and neat disposal skills. A rare talent with the ability to break the game open, a genuine excitement machine. Excelled late in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships after overcoming injury. Averaged 14.7 disposals in three games and took his opponents on at every opportunity.
Clem Smith WA Perth
DOB 3.2.1996 Height: 177cm Weight: 77kg
Energetic Small Defender/Midfielder who can break the game open with his ferocious attack on the ball and dash from the contest. The way he hunts the opposition defensively is a highlight. All-Australian in 2013, he averaged 17 disposals (8.2 contested) in six matches at the 2014 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Member of NAB AFL Academy.
Victoria
Jack Lonie Vic C Dandenong Stingrays
DOB 13.8.1996 Height: 174cm Weight: 67kg
Busy Small Forward who reads the ball exceptionally well off hands, is a penetrating left footer and smart around goals. His ability to set-up team mates and create opportunities for others is rare. Excellent for Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, winning their MVP award whilst averaging 14.3 disposals and 1.5 goals across six matches. Cousin of former AFL players Ryan and Nathan Lonie.
Jaden McGrath Vic C Bendigo Pioneers
DOB 15.6.1996 Height: 179cm Weight: 73kg
Small Midfielder/Forward with the ability to find space regularly. Prolific ball winner who makes good decisions by hand or foot. Shows very good goal sense when forward and does impact the scoreboard. Excellent lateral movement and leap make him a dangerous opponent. Has had an injury riddled 2014 Season and missed the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for this reason. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
Touk Miller Vic M Calder Cannons
DOB 22.2.1996 Height: 177cm Weight: 80kg
Dynamic Small Midfielder with good pace, agility and elite endurance. Hunts the football and is a prolific ball winner and long kick. His pressure around the football often causes the opposition to turn the ball over. Shows excellent leadership qualities and a genuine desire to win. Averaged 17 disposals at 78 percent efficiency in four matches during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Teia Miles Geelong Falcons Vic C
DOB 2.11.1996 Height: 179cm Weight: 68kg
Small Defender who is creative in setting the game up with his rebound from defensive 50. Can also play forward or in the midfield. Impressed in five games for Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, he also averaged 19.2 disposals in 15 matches with the Geelong Falcons this year.
Toby McLean Oakleigh Chargers Vic M
DOB 31.1.1996 Height: 179cm Weight: 70kg
Small Forward/Midfielder with an exceptional natural leap and is crafty around goals. Agile and a prolific ball winner, he has averaged 21.9 disposal and kicked 29 goals in an outstanding first year in the TAC Cup. His ‘X’ factor is his overhead making for his size.
2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine – State
Small Forwards/Midfielders/Defenders
Adam Saad Coburg VFL
23.7.1994 Height: 178cm Weight: 78kg
Josh Hone Sturt SA
14.8.1996 Height: 170cm Weight: 70kg
Jayden Short Northern Knights Vic M
24.1.1996 Height: 179cm Weight: 71kg
Jack Sinclair Oakleigh Chargers Vic M12.2.1995
Height: 180cm Weight: 78kg
Ben Allan Calder Cannons Vic M
4.6.1996 Height: 178cm Weight: 71kg
Matt Hanson Western Storm Tas
26.5.1995 Height: 182cm Weight: 73kg
Jared Hardisty Claremont WA
7.3.1996 Height: 178cm Weight: 86kg
Jake Johansen Port Adelaide SA
13.6.1996 Height: 171cm Weight: 63kg
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.
NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which 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
