Ruckmen named for 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine The AFL today announced the final group of players that will attend the 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine in October. The Ruckmen group comprises of 11 players including two prospects identified at the AFL’s International Combine held in Los Angeles in April. AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said: “It’s extremely exciting for our code to have two further potential players from the USA in Marvin Baynham and Evan Bruinsma at our Draft Combine joining nine other promising players from around Australia in the ruckmen category. With Eric Wallace (North Melbourne), Jason Holmes (St Kilda) and Patrick Mitchell (Sydney Swans) already listed and developing their craft in state leagues along with Collingwood signing Mason Cox earlier this year, a 211.4 cm prospect from Oklahoma State, we are beginning to develop a niche pathway for extremely tall and athletic potential ruckmen or tall defenders into AFL.” The 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine will be held in Melbourne at Etihad Stadium from Tuesday September 30 to Friday October 3 with 101 prospects under the scrutiny of the 18 AFL clubs. State Combines will also be held in Melbourne (October 4), Adelaide (October 11) and Perth (October 12). 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine - National Ruckman International Marvin Baynham (USA) 23.3.1992 Height: 198cm Weight: 97kg Potential Ruckman or Tall Defender from Miami, Florida in USA with college basketball, American Football and track background. Has elite speed (2.82 seconds for 20m) and exciting overall athletic ability, excelling at USA Combine in Los Angeles in April 2014. Evan Bruinsma (USA) 9.9.1992 Height: 197cm Weight: 93kg Potential Ruckman or Tall Defender from Michigan with a college basketball and high school soccer background playing as a centre back. His x-factor is his vertical leap and showed at the USA Combine he could quickly adapt to AFL ball with his kicking and competitive nature. Victoria Harry Dear (Sandringham Dragons, Vic) 18.8.1996 Height: 197cm Weight: 98kg Developing Ruckman/Tall Forward who marks strongly, uses his bulk well in the contest and is reliable set shot for goal. Has missed considerable game time due to injury in recent years but showed considerable promise in nine games with the Dragons kicking 18 goals this year and playing three matches with Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Son of former Hawk Paul Dear and eligible father/son . Rowan Marshall (North Ballarat Rebels, Vic) 24.11.1995 Height: 198cm Weight: 87kg Athletic Ruckman/Tall Forward with neat disposal and clean hands. Has very good game sense and impressed for Victoria Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in 2014. Averaged 14.9 disposals, four marks in 16 matches for the Rebels. Reece McKenzie (Northern Knights, Vic) 28.3.1996 Height: 196cm Weight: 100kg Tall Forward who can pinch hit in the ruck. Extremely strong overhead mark and accurate kick for goal. Kicked 35 goals in 10 matches for the Knights this year. Father Warren was a premiership player for Carlton. Marc Pittonet (Oakleigh Chargers, Vic) 3.6.1996 Height: 201cm Weight: 100kg Ruckman who is highly competitive and aggressive in the contest and directs the ball well at stoppages. Has good skills set including his overhead marking. Covers the ground well and represented Victoria Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Peter Wright (Calder Cannons, Vic) 8.9.1996 Height: 203cm Weight: 102kg Ruckman/Tall Forward who is a long, accurate shot for goal and sound overhead mark. Mobile player who’s ruckwork is impressive, using his height to advantage. Very good below his knees and has great running capacity. Won All-Australian Under-18 honours. Queensland Harris Andrews (Aspley, Qld) 11.12.1996 Height: 198cm Weight: 91kg Tall Defender and backup Ruckman who has a real presence in the contest and is strong overhead. Agile and good user of the footy can also push forward and provide a target. Played six games for Queensland at TAC Cup level this year, averaging 14 disposals and 6.5 marks. Braydon Preuss (Mt Gravatt, Qld) 205, 102, 16.1.1995 Height: 205cm Weight: 102kg Ruckman and Tall Forward who can present well on the lead and mark one on one. Good set shot for goal. From a rugby league background in Townsville, has continued to adjust to AFL in 2014. Western Australia Billy Frampton (South Fremantle, WA) 20.11.1996 Height: 199cm Weight: 85kg Ruckman with very good athletic ability including natural leap and speed. Averaged 17.3 disposals and 5.3 marks in 13 Colts games in WAFL this year. At his best in both games against Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. South Australia Tom Read (Sturt, SA) 18.7.1996 Height: 200cm Weight: 92cm Ruckman/Tall Forward who is still developing but played an important role for South Australia in winning NAB AFL Under-18s Championships this year. Can take a strong mark and is mobile as a tall forward and competitive by nature. Averaged 12.6 disposals and 5.4 marks at Under-18 level with Sturt. 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine – State Ruckmen Sam Baulderstone Norwood SA 25.10.1990 Height: 199cm Weight: 113kg Darcy Cameron Claremont WA 18.7.1995 Height: 203cm Weight: 98kg Paul Hunter Redlands Qld 9.2.1993 Height: 200cm Weight: 99kg Mark Kovacevic Calder Cannons Vic 23.1.1996 Height: 204cm Weight: 111kg Will Kristelly Brisbane Lions Academy Qld 22.9.1996 Height: 205cm Weight: 109kg Rielly OBrien Calder Cannons Vic 20.8.1995 Height: 201cm Weight: 98kg Peter Spurling Glenelg SA 7.3.1996 Height: 199cm Weight: 88kg Sam Tagliabu Essendon VFL 22.2.1991 Height: 206cm Weight: 101kg Cameron Loersch South Fremantle WA 20.10.1995 Height: 201cm Weight: 103kg 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 Issued by: Michelle Clyne AFL Publicity & Promotions Manager
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 04:27:27 +0000
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