{"id":168631,"date":"2024-08-22T16:58:32","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T06:58:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=168631"},"modified":"2024-08-22T16:58:34","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T06:58:34","slug":"club-tied-talent-keen-to-impress-at-draft-combine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2024\/08\/22\/club-tied-talent-keen-to-impress-at-draft-combine\/","title":{"rendered":"Club-tied talent keen to impress at Draft Combine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

JUST under 20 per cent of invitees to the 2024 AFL National and State Draft Combines are already tied to clubs, either via father-son eligibility or as Academy members – Northern and Next Generation (NGA). It means there may be a little extra emphasis on results for some eager to impress those in attendance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> SCROLL to see the full list of club-tied combine invitees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potentially the top prospect in this year’s draft, Levi Ashcroft<\/a>, is one of three father-son candidates who will attend the National Combine, along with a further five at the state events. The prolific midfielder recently made his nomination for Brisbane official, and is set to join brother Will<\/strong> at the Lions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arguably the next highest rated talent is Gold Coast Academy product Leonardo Lombard<\/a>, who may yield a top 10 bid. The Suns’ program famously produced four first round picks last year, though Lombard is the only player of theirs to earn a combine invite in 2024, and is a standout among the crop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lombard is one of five Northern Academy members on the national list, among a group of seven overall. He and Brisbane-linked midfielder Samuel Marshall<\/a> are the best of the bunch, while Giants Academy ruck Logan Smith<\/a> is also around the mark as a potential second round prospect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The selection of NGA hopefuls stands at a high of nine overall players in the three club-tied categories, with six set to participate across the three state combines in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Three will attend the National Combine, with one a top 15 talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Namely, Essendon-tied small forward Isaac Kako<\/a> is the main event. While a syndesmosis injury may rule him out, the Calder Cannons star would likely give the stopwatches a good run. Adrian Cole<\/a> (St Kilda) and Malakai Champion<\/a> (West Coast) have also had strong top-age campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Adelaide father-son prospect Tyler Welsh at preseason testing | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With the likes of Ashcroft, Lombard, Marshall, and Kako all well poised to receive bids in the top 30 picks, Carlton will be hoping twin father-son candidates Ben<\/a> and Lucas Camporeale<\/a> slide out of that range. The former is considered a chance to feature there, while the latter is a late-draft option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming into the year, Adelaide father-son gun Tyler Welsh<\/a> garnered plenty of fanfare. The powerful forward has enjoyed a near-full season of SANFL League football in the Crows’ program and presents as a readymade talent with great physical traits. He’ll attend the SA state combine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cross-town rivals Port Adelaide have a few balls to juggle, too. Rome Burgoyne<\/a> and Louie Montgomery<\/a> are father-son eligible and have turned out for the club’s SANFL outfit, while Benny Barrett<\/a> comes under the NGA banner. The livewire forward has gained senior experience in South Adelaide’s reserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elwood Peckett<\/a> (St Kilda) is another father-son prospect to consider, especially with his late-season form. The Saints have him, along with Cole and fellow NGA member Lennox Hofmann<\/a> to fit into their calculations. Cole is the only National Combine invitee of trio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the combine lists are a great indicator of AFL interest, given club nominations determine who gets to participate, they are not the be-all and end-all. A raft of other club-tied players will be front of mind having represented their states or stepped up to state league level, so can still find their way to the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CLUB-TIED COMBINE INVITEES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE (11\/65)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Father-Son (3):<\/strong>
Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane)
Ben Camporeale (Carlton)
Lucas Camporeale (Carlton)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next Generation Academy (3):<\/strong>
Adrian Cole (St Kilda)
Malakai Champion (West Coast)
Isaac Kako (Essendon)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northern Academy (5):<\/strong>
Cooper Bell (GWS)
Joel Cochran (Sydney)
Leonardo Lombard (Gold Coast)
Sam Marshall (Brisbane)
Logan Smith (GWS)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> FULL LIST:<\/strong> 2024 AFL National Draft Combine<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

STATE DRAFT COMBINE (13\/62)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Father-Son (5):<\/strong>
Rome Burgoyne (Port Adelaide)
Louie Montgomery (Port Adelaide)
Elwood Peckett (St Kilda)
River Stevens (North Melbourne)
Tyler Welsh (Adelaide)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next Generation Academy (6):<\/strong>
Riak Andrew (Melbourne)
Benny Barrett (Port Adelaide)
Lennox Hofmann (St Kilda)
Ricky Mentha (Melbourne)
Jayden Nguyen (Essendon)
Luke Quaynor (Collingwood)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northern Academy (2):<\/strong>
Josaia Delana (GWS)
Tom Gillett (Brisbane)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> FULL LIST:<\/strong> 2024 AFL State Draft Combine<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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