Kevin Sheehan's 2011 Top 30 It's Over a Month Since the NAB AFL Draft
Kevin Sheehan’s 2011 Top 30 It’s over a month since the NAB AFL Draft Combine was held at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne to scrutinise the talent pool. The event tested agility, speed and skills. Meanwhile the endurance testing was a highlight, with many record breaking performances. Now our focus is on the NAB AFL Draft which for the first time, be held in Sydney and will welcome 18 AFL clubs, including the newest club the Greater Western Sydney Giants. In the last month AFL Recruiting Managers and their teams have watched endless edited highlights of prospects; absorbed countless numbers relating to the speed, endurance, effective kicks, efficiently rates and clearances, studied medical reports and conducted interviews not just with the players, but with coaches, parents and teachers. It now comes down to opinions – human judgements on which players, in the view of the individual clubs, have what’s necessary to make a difference at the elite level. The computer in this instance won’t provide the answer but sports science helps with decisions. Who has the greater ball-winning ability, decision-making and skill execution? Who has the competitive edge and sufficient athleticism to be chosen for a professional AFL career? Who will grow and develop most in the AFL club environment? What we do know is that more than 90 players can be given the chance (there will be passes late in the draft to leave room for preseason draft selections in late December) and only father-son selections and upgraded rookies can be certain of their destination.
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