Page 62 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2013 YEAR IN REVIEW

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INAUGURAL COMBINE RATES NEAFL’S TOP YOUNG TALENT
Twenty-five of the state’s top NEAFL players were put to the test at the inaugural NEAFL combine in October.
The footballers’ skills and fitness were tested, with a number of AFL recruiters watching on and the results sent to AFL clubs.
In typical Brisbane summer conditions, the players underwent a clean hands and kicking test, as well as the vertical leap, 20m sprint, agility and the beep test.
Aspley’s James Ives shook off off-season cobwebs easily in the kicking test, with a
high score of 20, out of a possible 30, while Southport’s John Macansh, Morningside’s Scott Clarke and Labrador’s Todd Grayson were the best in the clean hands test, with 29 from a possible 30 points.
Grayson shook off some past misconceptions off with his results on the day, AFL Talent Academies Manager for QLD and NSW, Mark Browning, said.
“When he was at the SUNS in the TAC Cup and the VFL, probably people questioned his pace and his kicking,” he said.
“I think some of the recruiters might’ve gone, “Gee, he’s a good player but he hasn’t got a lot of leg speed,”.
“Well, today proved he has got leg speed.
“So, even if he doesn’t get drafted this year, we’ll now have that information to give to recruiters in the future, which is invaluable.”
Redland’s Blake Grewar showed an incredible leap in the vertical jump tests, leading the standing jump and running jump on his right foot, finishing with the second best on his left.
Southport’s Eddie Mallan pulled a rabbit out of the hat, with a 2.87sec 20m-sprint time.
Southport’s Regan Salter was the best in the agility test, with a time of 7.73 seconds, while Adam Spackman outlasted the rest in the much- feared beep test.
Browning said the first NEAFL combine was a crucial first step in the league’s greater focus on developing talent and ultimately, getting players drafted.
“If we get one person rookie-listed or drafted (from this) that will be a bonus,” he said.
“I think there were a few (AFL) clubs here, that was terrific.
“One reason we did this was to get the information out there and get them exposed to the recruiters, but we also wanted to show the players that, with the revamped NEAFL, we’re fair dinkum about trying to lift the standard of everything we do.”
NEAFL COMBINE