The AFL today announced the first group of players that will attend the 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine in October.
The Tall Forwards group comprises of 14 players. Two players, Patrick McCartin (Vic Country) and Darcy Moore (Vic Metro) were included in the 2014 NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian team and five players are graduates of the NAB AFL Academy.
AFL Academies Development Manager Michael Ablett said the importance of Tall Forwards cannot be underestimated.
“If you look back over the past seven years, the likes of Jarryd Roughead, Lance Franklin, Travis Cloke, Tom Hawkins and Adam Goodes have all played pivotal roles in their respective clubs Premiership success,” he said.
“AFL Clubs will rarely pass-up an opportunity to select a Tall Forward and this is highlighted in the history of the past six NAB AFL Drafts where Matthew Kruezer, Jack Watts, Jonathon Patton and Tom Boyd have all been taken with the number one pick.
“The role of Tall Forwards has continued to evolve over time, no longer do we see the ‘stay at home’ forwards, rather these players are often now required to cover significant amounts of ground and also contribute as a back-up ruckman, therefore their versatility is vital.”
Ninety-six players will attend the 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine 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:
- Tall Defenders – Tuesday August 12
- Medium Midfielders – Tuesday August 19
- Medium Forwards – Tuesday August 26
- Small Forwards/Midfielders/Defenders – Tuesday September 2
- Ruckmen – Tuesday September 9
2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine - National
Tall Forwards
Western Australia
Jack Cripps East Fremantle / Northampton
20.1.1996 Height: 196cm Weight: 86kg
Versatile Tall Forward that is a neat and reliable penetrating set shot for goal. Shows the consistent ability to mark strongly on the lead, taking the ball at its highest point and is at his best when coming up at the kicker. Averaged 9.5 disposals, 3.3 marks and one goal during his four games for Western Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Tyler Keitel East Perth / Noranda
7.2.1996 Height: 194cm Weight: 86kg
Tall Forward who provided a strong marking target up forward and has good speed to get space off his opponent. Averaged 6.2 marks and 15.8 disposals as Western Australia’s most dangerous forward during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Can also transition into defence when called upon with great effect making him an extremely versatile footballer.
Mitchell McGovern Claremont
11.10.1994 Height: 191cm Weight: 84kg
Strong marking Tall Forward who positions his body very well in the contest. Possesses excellent foot skills on either side of the body. His vertical leap is a real asset, particularly on the lead, making it difficult for opposition defenders to spoil. Has averaged 10.7 disposals and 4.3 marks in his seven games of league football for Claremont this season.
NSW/ACT
Abaina Davis UNSW-Easts
27.1.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 86kg
Mobile strong and powerful tall forward with strong hands overhead. Averaged 13.3 disposals and five marks in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Showed good mobility and is very creative inside 50. Hard to stop once he gets front position and is a reliable set shot for goal. Averaged 13.3 disposals and five marks during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Sydney Swans Academy Player.
Jeremy Finlayson Hills Eagles
9.2.1996 Height: 195cm Weight: 84kg
Athletic and beautifully balanced tall forward who possesses a penetrating left foot. Can play as a deep leading forward who is difficult to stop and also shows excellent mobility playing further up the ground. Marks strongly on the lead. Averaged 12 disposals and 3.7 marks during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. GWS Giants Academy Player.
Nicholas Coughlan Murray Bushrangers / Albury
12.9.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 84kg
Tall Forward with good athletic ability and strong overhead. Agile and presents well on the lead. A reliable set shot for goal as well as an excellent field kick on his preferred right foot. Averaged 10 disposals (four contested possessions) and a goal in three matches during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Member of NAB AFL National Academy in 2014.
Dougal Howard Murray Bushrangers / Albury
25.3.1996 Height: 195cm Weight: 88kg
Tall developing forward that provides an excellent target inside 50. His overhead marking is a strength and once he takes front position it's difficult for defenders to spoil. Possesses an excellent vertical leap while also showing elite leg speed for a player of his size (2.92secs 20m Sprint). Played senior footy with the Wagga Tigers in 2013. Averaged four marks and one goal per game during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. GWS Giants Academy player.
South Australia
Brett Eddy South Adelaide
26.8.1989 Height: 194cm Weight: 89kg
Strong and powerful Tall Forward with an excellent set of hands. Shows the ability to not only mark on the lead but also to use his body to great effect in a one on one contest. His set shot goal kicking is a real feature of his game, rarely missing an opportunity to convert. Has kicked 54 goals in his 15 matches for South Adelaide at senior level this season.
Queensland
Matthew Hammelmann Morningside
8.3.1996 Height: 197cm Weight: 88kg
Tall Forward with strong hands in front, on the lead and overhead. Has good pace off the mark to get separation on his opponent. Can also play in defence. Showed promise in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 10.3 disposals, 7.3 marks and 2.3 goals in his three matches. NAB AFL Academy member as well as the Brisbane Lions Academy Player.
Matthew Uebergang Ipswich
6.1.1995 Height: 193cm Weight: 87kg
Tall Forward with good speed off the mark and strong hands on the lead. A very good reader of the play who shows good composure with the ball in hand. Possesses excellent athletic traits and competitive instincts. Has also played in defence to good effect. Averaged 11.7 disposals and 5.5 marks during this year’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Brisbane Lions Academy Player.
Victoria
Tom Lamb Dandenong Stingrays / Edithvale-Apsendale
19.10.1996 Height: 193cm Weight 84kg
Tall Forward/Midfielder with elite endurance, rare goal sense and footy nous. His versatility makes him a very difficult match-up for opposition teams. Strong overhead, he averaged 14.8 disposals with 50 percent contested in five matches during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Member of the NAB AFL Academy. Father Wayne played with Melbourne and Fitzroy.
Patrick McCartin Geelong Falcons/St Joseph’s FC
19.10.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 84kg
Tall Forward who times his leads well and is a one grab player and strong overhead mark. Imposes himself on games and is dangerous around goals with accurate snaps or with his sound technique for set shots. Averaged four marks and 2.3 goals in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. NAB AFL Academy Member.
Darcy Moore Oakleigh Chargers/ Kew Comets JFC
25.1.1996 Height: 199cm Weight: 93kg
Tall Forward or Defender with excellent closing speed and natural leap. Strong overhead mark and smart around goals, kicking four goals vs Western Australia at Simonds Stadium in Round 5. Averaged 9.2 disposals and three marks in roles both forward and back during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Son of Dual Brownlow Medallist Peter Moore.
Brenton Payne Western Jets / Bacchus Marsh
3.9.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 76cm
Leading goal-kicker at the Jets. Attends St Patrick's in Ballarat and is also a very talented cricketer. Applies very good defensive pressure for a key forward. Shows good top end speed allowing him to create separation from his opponent. Averaged 9.2 disposals and 2.4 marks for Vic Metro during this year’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Endurance is a real strength for a player of his size. Grandson of Essendon forward Charlie Payne (194 games)
2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine – State
Tall Forwards
Ben Edwards Glenelg South Australia
15.3.1995 Height: 192cm Weight: 73kg
Matt Panos Norwood South Australia
25.1.1991 Height: 192cm Weight: 81kg
Jesse Watchman West Adelaide South Australia
28.1.1996 Height: 196cm Weight: 90kg
Callum Wilkie North Adelaide South Australia
10.3.1996 Height: 192cm Weight: 84kg
Jake Owen Williamstown Victoria
11.11.1994 Height: 191cm Weight: 82kg
Jayden Foster Calder Cannons Victoria
1.6.1995 Height: 194cm Weight: 91kg
Lachlan Waddell Oakleigh Chargers Victoria
12.5.1995 Height: 200cm Weight: 96kg
Matthew Ah Siu South Fremantle Western Australia
20.7.1996 Height: 194cm Weight: 78kg
Sam Bevan Claremont Western Australia
12.6.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 79kg
Rick Cary Swan Districts Western Australia
12.10.1991 Height: 196cm Weight: 88kg
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
Ends
