THE AFL today announced the fifth group of players that will attend the 2015 NAB AFL Draft Combine in October at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

The Tall Defenders group comprises of 13 players including Jacob Weitering, Riley Bonner, Kieran Collins, Aaron Francis and Eric Hipwood who were selected as Under-18 All-Australians as well as Darragh Joyce from County Kilkenny in Ireland as the search for talent continues to broaden.

AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said: “AFL clubs are after players in this category with the potential to become the next Alex Rance, Cale Hooker, Harry Taylor or Michael Hurley who are star performers as tall defenders in the game today. They have the ability to cover the ground with their athletic ability, are very good one-on-one, read the play exceptionally well taking intercept marks and provide great rebound for their respective teams. Many can also play the swingman role and provide a target up forward when required.”

Eighty-two players will attend the 2015 NAB AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne at Etihad Stadium from Thursday October 8 to Sunday October 11.

State Combines will be held in Melbourne (October 11), Perth (October 18), Adelaide (October 19) and Sydney (October 26). 

The final positions group, Small Defenders, Midfielders and Forwards, will be released next week.

2015 NAB AFL Draft Combine – National

Tall Defenders

Queensland

Eric Hipwood                        Aspley/Caloundra

13/09/1997      Height: 200cm                        Weight: 82kg

Tall defender/forward with terrific hands overhead in contested situations. Uses the ball effectively on his preferred left foot. Very agile for a player of his size. Plays both back and forward. He played a major role in Queensland winning Division Two earning All-Australian honours. Member of NAB AFL Academy and Lions Academy. Averaged 21 disposals and 7.3 marks at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Western Australia

Jesse Glass-Mccasker            Swan Districts

3/01/1997        Height: 196cm                        Weight: 95kg

Tall defender who is a great athlete, moving extremely well for a player of his size. Is versatile with his ability to play at either end of the ground.  Positions himself well in one-on-one duels and spoils strongly.  Provides good run and carry for his team from defensive 50.

Averaged 8.2 possessions in five games at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Dylan Smith   Swan Districts/Midvale

7/02/1997        Height: 198cm                        Weight: 81kg

Key position player with elite speed for a player of his size. Displays many quality traits to make him an AFL prospect, including his clean hands and marking ability. Had a standout performance against South Australia in game one, collecting 18 possessions and taking eight marks.

Averaged 8.2 possessions and four marks in six games at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Victoria

Kieran Collins           Dandenong Stingrays/Langwarrin

14/12/1997      Height: 191cm                        Weight: 80kg

Tall defender who displays excellent strength and competitiveness in the contest. Defends very well both on the lead and in the air while making smart decisions with his disposals by either hand or foot. Has the ability to win the ball back in the air for his team through his ability to mark strongly overhead. Outstanding in matches against Western Australia and Vic Metro. Averaged 11.8 disposals at 86 percent and five marks at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships winning All-Australian Under-18 honours. Member of NAB AFL Academy.

Jack Firns      Oakleigh Chargers/Camberwell

9/09/1997        Height: 194cm                        Weight: 90kg

Tall defender with real competitive streak and excels in one-on-one contests.  Uses his body well in marking duels and spoils soundly.  Is intense around the football and makes excellent second efforts.  Represented Vic Metro in NAB AFL Under-18 championships in five matches and averaged 11 disposals in 10 matches with the Oakleigh Chargers this year.

Ben McKay    Gippsland Power/Warragul

24/12/1997      Height: 200cm                        Weight: 85kg

Tall defender or forward who can also assist in the ruck.  Played 10 games with Gippsland Power this year after a late start with his 16 disposals, seven marks and six rebound 50s in key defence against Oakleigh Chargers impressive as a defender.  Played forward and kicked four goals from 15 disposals against the Northern Knights in Round 17.  Strong overhead and aggressive in the contest.  Twin brother to Harry who is also attending the Draft Combine.

Jack Silvagni              Oakleigh Chargers/Greythorn

17/12/1997      Height: 190cm                        Weight: 81kg

Tall forward/defender who displays terrific hands both in the air or below his knees for a player of his size. A versatile player who can play forward or back. Son of former Carlton champion Stephen and eligible for father/son selection to the Blues. His six goals vs Western Australia was an outstanding game in the championships.

Sam Skinner              Moe/Gippsland Power

29/06/1997      Height: 197cm                        Weight: 96kg

Key defender who can also go forward to impact the game. Can also contribute as a second ruckman making him a very versatile player. Played two matches at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging nine possessions and 4.5 tackles, before injuring his knee and ending his season. Now on road to recovery. Member of NAB AFL Academy.

Jacob Weitering        Dandenong Stingrays/Mt Eliza

23/11/1997      Height: 195cm                        Weight: 90kg

Tall defender with very strong and clean hands in the marking contest. An athletic player with good leg speed and excellent endurance, he covers the ground very nicely. Makes good decisions when in possession on his preferred right foot and has excellent penetration in his kicking. His composure sets him apart from others both with his intercept marks and his ball use throughout the Championships. Announced as the Ben Mitchell Medallist for the NAB AFL Academy earlier this year confirming his leadership potential. Averaged 13.5 possessions and 5.8 marks during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and won All-Australian honours.

South Australia

Riley Bonner West Adelaide/Goodwood

7/03/1997        Height: 191cm                        Weight: 80kg

Tall defender with penetrating left foot and is very efficient on his non-preferred side. Breaks the lines with his rebound from defence. Can play tall or small.  Progressed from Under-18s to senior level with West Adelaide this year. Averaged 18 disposals and five rebounds 50s at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships winning All-Australian Under-18 honours.

Aaron Francis           West Adelaide/Loxton North

10/08/1997      Height: 191cm                        Weight: 81kg

Tall forward/defender with good athleticism and game sense. Knows when to come off his opponent and impact the contest. Makes smart decisions with his disposal and consistently breaks down opposition attacks by winning the ball back in the air. Also a dangerous forward, he kicked four goals against Western Australian in an outstanding performance.

Averaged 15.7 possessions and 5.7 marks across six games at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships winning All-Australian U18 honours. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.

Luke Surman                        Norwood/Rostrevor

7/12/1997        Height: 196cm                        Weight: 97kg

Strong marking tall defender who can go forward or assist in the ruck.  Highly competitive who holds his position well in the contest.  Poised with ball in the hands and has good vision.  Held down key defensive position with South Australia in AFL Under-18s this year.

International               

Darragh Joyce           Kilkenny, Ireland

1/06/1997        Height: 194cm                        Weight: 88kg

Potential tall defender with a hurling and Gaelic football background.  Tough, reads the play well and makes good decisions.  Impressive at International Combine held in Dublin in December 2014.

2015 NAB AFL Draft Combine – State

Tall Defenders

Marcus Adams                  West Perth         WA

30.6.1993             Height: 193cm   Weight: 98kg

Lachlan Behagg                 NSW/ACT Rams                NSW

1.10.1997             Height: 195cm     Weight: 88kg

Nathan Broad                    Swan Districts    WA                        

15.4.1993             Height: 191cm    Weight: 82kg

Jayden Collins                    Eastern Ranges   VIC M

18.1.1997             Height: 199cm     Weight: 88kg

Michael Cronan                East Fremantle  WA

19.2.1997             Height: 197cm    Weight: 80kg

Isaac Franks                        Lauderdale         TAS

14.2.1996             Height: 193cm   Weight: 84kg

Ryan Gardner                    Burnie                   TAS

1.6.1997               Height: 196cm   Weight: 85kg

Michael Hartley                Coburg                 VFL

7.6.1993               Height: 198cm    Weight: 102kg

Gareth Hunt                       Aspley/Sandgate   QLD 

20.2.1997             Height: 192cm     Weight: 86kg

Tom Keough                      West Adelaide  SA

10.10.1991           Height: 194cm      Weight: 91kg

Kane Keppel                      Eastern Ranges   VICM

7.10.1997             Height: 190cm       Weight: 79kg

Patrick Levicki                    Norwood             SA

15.1.1992             Height: 196cm       Weight: 90kg

Ned Reinhard                    NSW/ACT Rams   NSW  

2.6.1997               Height: 194cm      Weight: 84kg

Jordan Rouse                     Dandenong Stingrays     VIC C

29.1.1996             Height: 193cm      Weight: 86kg

Zachary Rouse                   Dandenong Stingrays     VIC C

29.1.1996             Height: 191cm       Weight: 84kg

Max Spencer                     Palm Beach Currumbin  QLD       

4.10.1997             Height: 189cm       Weight: 80kg

Matthew Uebergang     Redland               QLD

6.1.1995               Height: 194cm     Weight: 91kg

Jack Watson                       Swan Districts    WA

23.7.1997             Height: 191cm      Weight: 81kg

Jack Whitehead                Oakleigh Chargers    VIC M          

26.5.1997             Height: 191cm      Weight: 89kg

Jake Wilson                        Werribee             VFL        

1.12.1991             Height: 193cm     Weight: 94kg

Karl Brown          Calder Cannons     VIC M

1.12.1997             Height: 192cm        Weight: 90kg

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 Trade Period
· NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
· NAB AFL Academy
· NAB AFL Under-16 Championships