#8
Leo Lombard
height: 178cm
weight:
D.O.B: 05-10-2006
Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys
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Snapshot
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Analysis
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Summary
SNAPSHOT: “An explosive, hard-nosed, and relentless ball winner capable of running in waves and rolling forward to hit the scoreboard.” – Michael Alvaro
The Gold Coast Suns Academy has produced a raft of golden prospects recently, and that trend is set to continue with the emergence of Leonardo Lombard. A standout of the Suns’ crop this year, he has been Queensland’s top hope for 2024 from a long way out.
Back in 2022, Lombard took out Most Valuable Player (MVP) and All-Australian honours for the Suns Academy at the Under 16 National Championships. He then played up a level for Queensland’s Under 17 side, and broke through to represent the Suns in the Coates Talent League last year.
His exploits as a bottom-ager meant National Academy selection for 2024 was almost inevitable. He won a VFL premiership at just 16 years-old, going on to play eight games in the state league this year for an average of 17.5 disposals, including a high of 28 in Round 1.
Lombard truly came into his own at the Under 18 National Championships, though. He was utterly dominant in the Allies’ first two games before having his mettle tested by a quality Vic Metro outfit. Fittingly, he nabbed a goal with the last kick of his campaign, en route to All-Australian and Larke Medal honours.
It is no surprise that Leo, the son of former UFC fighter and world renowned grappler, Hector Lombard, is one of the most combative and driven draft prospects available this year. Having seen four fellow Academy products attract first round bids last year, he has done everything possible to do so himself.
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS:
STRENGTHS:
+ Competitiveness
+ Endurance
+ Explosiveness
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Strength
+ Work rate
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Decision making
- Temperament
Few players have shown a harder edge and greater competitiveness than Lombard over the last year. It's a trait which translates to his work rate and contested nous, both of which are other assets of his game. Watch him for long enough and you'll see him not only driving a high standard for his teammates, but also getting under the skin of opposition players.
He boasts a high endurance base, but compliments it with a strong power game to put in repeat high-intensity efforts throughout four quarters. Those efforts are applied both ways too, with Lombard averaging 4.5 tackles to go with his 4.8 clearances per game at the National Championships. Better yet, he also has a great knack for accumulating possessions and hitting the scoreboard.
Lombard suits the new age game style of running in waves. He is capable of not only winning first possession, but then bursting away with it or combining with teammates to move from the inside, to outside. With that comes some of the most eye-catching passages of play, featuring fend-offs, one-two chains of handballs, and phenomenal goals on the run.
While relatively small at 178cm, Lombard holds his own on physically. Though, he has been made to diversify his game with more time as a high or pressure forward. What's more, he has worked on his ground balls alongside arguably no better exponent of them - Jake Rogers. His scoreboard impact has also been elevated, going at a goal per game in Allies colours.
With all his work combined, presenting his strengths and lifting his improvement areas, Lombard has become a more versatile and well-rounded prospect. What he can continue to work on is his decision making, particularly in the way of composure. Playing in one high gear means striking the right efficiency and picking out targets, while blazing forward isn't always easy.
Lombard's intense nature on-field also borders on going over the top at times. By no means is he undisciplined, but perhaps overzealous in his desire to impact the opposition and make his presence felt, or keep teammates in check. At the end of the day, he's a driven competitor and one who wants to win, so that is observed in his actions. It's working for him so far.
DRAFT RANGE: Top 10
SUMMARY:
Lombard could not have done or achieved much more across his junior career to be considered a top 10 prospect. He has the mongrel and work rate required to make the big leagues, as well as the physical makeup to have an instant impact. Gold Coast has already moved to essentially sell its first pick in the draft in preparation for a bid inside the first 10-15 selections. Lombard will likely start as a forward at the next level before shifting further afield and pinch-hitting on-ball, where he arguably plays his best football. The Suns’ base and senior squad will be a familiar setting for him, too.
AFL U18 Championships
Coates Talent League Boys
Season | Team | K | HB | D | M | CP | UP | T | HO | CLR | I50 | R50 | GL | GM | K | H | D | M | HO | T | G | DC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | SUNS Academy | 78 | 46 | 124 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 15.6 | 9.2 | 24.8 | 3.8 | 0.0 | 3.6 | 0.8 | 93 |
2024 | SUNS Academy | 34 | 40 | 74 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 11.3 | 13.3 | 24.7 | 6.3 | 0.0 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 95 |
Total | - | 112 | 86 | 198 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 14.0 | 10.8 | 24.8 | 4.8 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 188 |