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. This year my top 30 takes into account performances in both state leagues and at the NAB AFL Under 16 and 18 Championships over the last three years. Along with the extra insight gained at the NAB AFL Draft Combine I believe that they all have excellent chances of having exciting careers. But the beauty of AFL talent identification is that selections are not clear cut. The NAB AFL Rookie Draft in December will include those unlucky not to be drafted on Thursday November 24. Good luck to all contenders – may your dreams come true. Kevin Sheehan AFL National Talent & International Talent Manager Please note: player headshots and action shots are available upon request. Contact: Michelle Clyne: (03) 9643 1926 or [email protected] Amy Hattam: (03) 9643 1783 or [email protected] Taylor Adams Position: Small Midfielder Height: 179cm Weight: 80kg DOB: 20/09/93 Club: St Joseph’s FC/Geelong Falcons AFL Profile: Taylor Adams is a clean ball handler who consistently wins contested football in the midfield. He is a strong tackler, averaging 3.4 per game, as well as compiling 27.7 disposals per game in the TAC Cup in 2011. He represented Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, playing four games and averaging 18.8 disposals with his best matches against Tasmania and South Australia. His excellent performances and hard edge demonstrated during the championships earned him All-Australian honours. He proved that he possesses a high level of endurance at the NAB AFL Draft Combine when he reached level 15.1 in the beep test, a top 10 result. X-factor: “Footy nous to win the ball in contested situations.” Q&A with Taylor Adams: Which AFL footballer do you model your game on? Joel Selwood. He's an extremely hard worker and he goes about the footy in the right way. He’s tough and professional. What are your strengths as a footballer? I’m a competitive player with clean hands. I have the ability to win contested ball. What parts of your game do you want to improve on? My speed and outside game needs improvement, as well as my ability to get uncontested possessions. Why do you want to be a professional footballer? I’m a competitive person and want to compete against the best. It’s always been a goal of mine to play AFL footy. Joshua Bootsma Position: Tall Defender Height: 190cm Weight: 74kg DOB: 22/02/93 Club: South Coogee JFC/South Fremantle AFL Profile: Joshua Bootsma is a rebounding defender with good closing speed and a long penetrating kick. He is a team-oriented player who spoils well. He tested extremely well at the NAB AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium with a time of 2.98 seconds in the 20 metre sprint and 10.40 minutes in the 3km time trial, showcasing his speed and endurance combination. His father, Brad Bootsma, played 23 games with Fremantle in the AFL a decade ago and was a great South Fremantle player captaining the club and winning a best and fairest award. X-factor: “One-grab marking and precision kicking from defence.” Q&A with Joshua Bootsma: What type of player are you? I’m a hard running player. What are your strengths as a footballer? My strengths are marking, spoiling and kicking. Who has been the biggest influence on your football career so far? My dad who played for Fremantle (Brad Bootsma) has had the biggest influence. He is always watching my game and helping me to improve it. Matthew Buntine Position: Medium Defender Height: 189cm Weight: 84kg DOB: 19/10/93 Club: Berwick FC/Dandenong Stingrays AFL Profile: Matthew Buntine is an AIS/AFL Academy graduate who was awarded the Ben Mitchell Medal, as voted on by his peers, for his outstanding on and off field performances during his time in the program. He represented Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships with injury restricting him for all but two of the matches. However he was at his best in the final game against Vic Metro, showing his natural talent at Etihad Stadium. Hardly beaten in one-on-one contests, he is a good size, strong and courageous overhead. He has a good feel for the game and uses the ball well. X-factor: “Ability to read the opposition’s attacks and use his marking ability then precision kicking to setup counter attacks.” Q&A with Matthew Buntine: Who influenced you growing up? My dad has been a great role model and support in my life. He taught me the importance of enjoying myself. Which AFL player do you model your game on? Sam Fisher. I play a similar role in the backline and aerially I can impact the game as he does. He has a great marking ability which I aspire to have and love the way he kicks the ball. What are you strengths as a footballer? My greatest strengths are my one-on-one ability, leadership qualities out on the ground and reading the play. What drives you to want to be an AFL footballer? I love football and am passionate about it. When I'm around it I feel happy. Stephen Coniglio Position: Medium Midfielder Height: 182cm Weight: 76kg DOB: 15/12/93 Club: Upper Swan JFC/Swan District AFL Profile: As the winner of this year’s Larke Medal, awarded to the player judged the best and fairest in Division One of the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, Stephen Coniglio has showed he is a standout prospect. He has demonstrated that he is particularly dangerous around goals, kicking eight throughout the championships. Representing Western Australia, he averaged 22.4 disposals per game, 10.4 contested possessions and four tackles. He was awarded Western Australia’s MVP and All-Australian honours. At just 16, he played at senior level with the Swan Districts, kicking four goals in the 2010 WAFL grand final. Coniglio is a hard running midfielder with terrific speed and long kicking ability and is not afraid to take the game on with his separation from stoppages. He was a member of the 14th intake into the AIS/AFL Academy. X-factor: “His repeat speed and direct long kicking often leaves the opposition floundering.” Q&A with Stephen Coniglio: What type of player are you? I’m a hard running midfielder with good skills who can run with the ball and break away on the outside. Which AFL player do you model your game on? David Swallow. He gets the job done in contested situations and then breaks lines and kicks goals. What are you strengths as a footballer? My strengths are stamina, pace, skills, determination, leadership and ability to attack the ball. What parts of your game would you like to improve? I need to build a bit of muscle and improve my overhead marking. Hayden Crozier Position: Medium Forward Height: 185cm Weight: 68kg DOB: 24/12/93 Club: Rowville FC/Eastern Ranges AFL Profile: Hayden Crozier was a standout at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, recording the second best result in the running vertical jump test at 91 centimetres. He also received top results in the 20 metre sprint (2.89 seconds), and in the agility run (8.08 seconds – top six). He represented Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships playing in all five games. He can take a great mark, which was highlighted at Patterson Stadium when he took a spectacular mark against Western Australia. Crozier kicked a total of eight goals during the five games that he played in the championships. He is very well balanced and a beautiful kick of the footy on his preferred left side. He averaged 18.7 disposals for the Ranges this year at 67.4 efficiency. X-factor: “Has outstanding speed, vertical leap and goal sense.” Q&A with Hayden Crozier: How would your coaches and teammates describe you? My coaches would say I’m very coachable. I respect them and am willing to learn.