The 2015 AFL National Draft Combine is upon us without the usual fanfare.

Here are a few good articles that provide some good resource material:-

2015 AFL Draft: Combine Harvester

Road to the Draft: Draft Combine Preview

Who will be this year's peak performers? 17 draft prospects to watch at the Combine

Gresham steals the show at draft combine's skills testing

Also - http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-3020-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=36493590

Daniel Rioli testing well according to reports.

Why is it called a "combine" and not the draft camp it used to be?

Something to do with a harvester?

Or, more likely, a sad Vlad Americal sports imitation.

Have heard good things about Gresham. Could be a bolter.

Why is it called a "combine" and not the draft camp it used to be?

Another move by the powers that be to Americanize our game

They so desperately want to be like the NBA and NFL

I've said it before, but I still like the look of Tommy Glen as a later pick.

When do they publish the full results?

Have heard good things about Gresham. Could be a bolter.

Gresham should be comfortably in the top 20. His height probably stops him from getting too far inside the top 15 or so, but on talent and output should be inside.

Had a terrific end to the TAC Cup season, more or less winning a game or two off his own boot. This after being Vic Metro's MVP.

Gresham should be comfortably in the top 20. His height probably stops him from getting too far inside the top 15 or so, but on talent and output should be inside.

Had a terrific end to the TAC Cup season, more or less winning a game or two off his own boot. This after being Vic Metro's MVP.

Gresham is one of the better players in this draft.

Sudanese born ruckman equals Nik Nat combine record

There was an interesting special on Fox Footy Channel about the DC. I missed the first part but it's worth catch up on if they repeat it.

This also from the Age - Running and Jumping: The 2015 Draft Combine wash up

There was an interesting special on Fox Footy Channel about the DC. I missed the first part but it's worth catch up on if they repeat it.

This also from the Age - Running and Jumping: The 2015 Draft Combine wash up

Interesting comments about the 'Star' players likely for (current) picks 3-6. "Aaron Francis still shapes as an early pick, but sat out the testing because of groin and hip soreness. Darcy Parish didn't make the top 10 in any area, but everyone knows he can play...Charlie Curnow has been interesting all year, his athletic potential obvious from the start but his year interrupted by a knee injury before he had gotten himself properly fit. He didn't test quick - 3.1 seconds was his best time over 20 metres - but his endurance, for a powerful key position player who everyone can see playing on ball one day, came through".

No glowing endorsements there...in fact, the much touted Parish did himself no favours at all.

Ess seem to have fallen out of love with him! It has emerged that both StK and Ess are trying to trade out their (current) respective pics 5 and 4 for two later first round picks. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-trades-2015-saints-explore-pick-slide-for-jake-carlisle-20151012-gk7aji.html

Just shows what they think of players available at pick 6 to 10 (after the academy players go at 3,4,5).

Our club has shown not to be overly enamoured with draft picks so it will be interesting what we do with (current) pick 6!

I saw a 10 second clip of Curnow doing the kicking test, and by no means would I pass complete judgement on a player based on such a small sample, but his kicking on his left was terrible.

I saw a 10 second clip of Curnow doing the kicking test, and by no means would I pass complete judgement on a player based on such a small sample, but his kicking on his left was terrible.

Noticed that too, left a bitter taste in my mouth. Wonder if they were selective in what footage they chose to show?

From what the experts are saying about the combine, a lot of kids have rocketed up from the 20s into the top 10. This to me is a pretty severe indicator that the talent spread is in indeed fairly thin and a bit of a plateau. Can completely understand why Ess and StK are now apparently trying to trade out.

Noticed that too, left a bitter taste in my mouth. Wonder if they were selective in what footage they chose to show?

From what the experts are saying about the combine, a lot of kids have rocketed up from the 20s into the top 10. This to me is a pretty severe indicator that the talent spread is in indeed fairly thin and a bit of a plateau. Can completely understand why Ess and StK are now apparently trying to trade out.

Interesting.

That's why blokes like Curnow are always a worry.

Rockets up the draft order because of his athleticism and 'raw talent' rather than his footballing ability.

Kicking is an absolute must. Have Hawthorn not shown that for the last 7 years?

I hope he's not in our calculations. Just give me a footballer who's athletic attributes can be worked on over pre-seasons.

Pick 6 is very interesting in this draft as there is no clear difference between a player you could pick at 6 to one at 15.

This may be the draft where clubs draft for need not best available as it is really hard to say who the best available is at that pick.

My preferred picks (if available) at pick 6:

Aaron Francis - I think he could be the best in the draft, very Goddard-like in his flexibility but probably more Key Position than Goddard. At 192cm, 89kg if he can play through the midfield he would be perfect for us and the "Tall" mids we are after. Likely Gone at our pick.

Charlie Curnow - This years potential Jake Stringer, would have been in No1 frame if not for injury. He is a big-bodied mid who can play forward, has done really well up front for the Falcons this year out of necessity. At 191cm and 95kg he is very much in the same physical mold of Stringer and has a similar style of play. I know people have expressed concerns about kicking on the left foot but that can be taught, what is harder to teach is that constant will to push up on the contest to create pressure and chase to tackle. If we are after competitors then he is one we have to go for.

Rhys Mathieson - A really smart inside mid who reads the ball better than most players. Kicking is average and he isnt a big bodied monster but thats what i like about him. The fact he isnt the biggest (ie: doesnt win it with pure strength) means he has to be smarter to win the ball and thats what he does. High possession accumulator who would fit in very nicely with Viney/Brayshaw on the inside as he is slightly different to both of them.

Darcy Parish - Outside mid who hits targets like Josh Kelly/Christian Salem did in their draft year. He reminds me a bit of a more outside Brayshaw in that he isnt the best at any one thing but doesnt have many chinks in the armor. He is clean in traffic but isnt a contested ball nut like Brayshaw was.

Others to consider if we trade pick 6 and end up later in the 1st round.

Riley Bonner - lovely left foot kick running off HBF. May not be needed now it has come out that we want Melsham to play off the HBF.

Josh Dunkley - if not a Swans f/s he is a big-bodied inside mid who is a real competitor.

Just my thoughts on what i have seen of these guys at TAC & U18's carnival.

I saw a 10 second clip of Curnow doing the kicking test, and by no means would I pass complete judgement on a player based on such a small sample, but his kicking on his left was terrible.

Interesting.

That's why blokes like Curnow are always a worry.

Rockets up the draft order because of his athleticism and 'raw talent' rather than his footballing ability.

Kicking is an absolute must. Have Hawthorn not shown that for the last 7 years?

I hope he's not in our calculations. Just give me a footballer who's athletic attributes can be worked on over pre-seasons.

Depends if it's his preferred kicking foot or not...ever seen Gibson & Birchall try and kick on their right? Birchall almost goes into a panic and I've seen Gibson totally fresh air the ball.

Firstly a thankyou to all you boys and girls who pore over all the info etc re these kiddiwinkies.

A general question;

In the first half dozen picks are there any Brayshaws or Petraccas likely ?

TIA

Oh! Pluck a duck!

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-bet-ban-gws-giants-recruiter-paul-brodie-suspended-for-13-months/story-fndv8lf1-1227587218930

After Brodie's timely sanctions, GWS is now left with Fat Phil Scully as their most senior recruiter heading into the draft!

Hilarious.

and completely separate to that, I'm told St Kilda & Westcoast are eyeing Tommy Glen off at around the pick 35 mark, depending on how picks slide.

I'm hoping we are into him.

Oh! Pluck a duck!

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-bet-ban-gws-giants-recruiter-paul-brodie-suspended-for-13-months/story-fndv8lf1-1227587218930

After Brodie's timely sanctions, GWS is now left with Fat Phil Scully as their most senior recruiter heading into the draft!

Hilarious.

and completely separate to that, I'm told St Kilda & Westcoast are eyeing Tommy Glen off at around the pick 35 mark, depending on how picks slide.

I'm hoping we are into him.

It's amazing how all these guys learn from their mistakes once they get caught out.

He should have taken drugs...only would have one strike or if he self reported none now instead of a 13 month suspension.

...anyway 'Mach5', what's the Tommy Glen story? you obviously rate him.

It's amazing how all these guys learn from their mistakes once they get caught out.

He should have taken drugs...only would have one strike or if he self reported none now instead of a 13 month suspension.

...anyway 'Mach5', what's the Tommy Glen story? you obviously rate him.

a year off is probably better than a year working at carlscum anyway

Depends if it's his preferred kicking foot or not...ever seen Gibson & Birchall try and kick on their right? Birchall almost goes into a panic and I've seen Gibson totally fresh air the ball.

Definitely his non-preferred. If that was his preferred he would be playing down at the park with me, not the AFL, he barely made contact.

But as you say, it's not a deal breaker, just more food for thought than anything. Surprised they included it in his highlights to be honest.

It's amazing how all these guys learn from their mistakes once they get caught out.

He should have taken drugs...only would have one strike or if he self reported none now instead of a 13 month suspension.

...anyway 'Mach5', what's the Tommy Glen story? you obviously rate him.

I had a reason to pay attention as I know someone close to him, and I think he's one that will fly under the radar with solid skills, doing the basics exceptionally well without starring.

A bit like a taller poor man's Salem.

My view is probably skewed because of a loose connection though.

And he'll take about 3 years to mature, but a late pick in this draft makes me ok with that.

Maybe good for a rookie spot.