The AFL Draft Combine has begun with players to get the opportunity to showcase their skills and athletic talents in front of recruiters and clubs at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne over the next three days.

A total of 85 draft hopefuls – including four from Ireland – will test across the four days. 

AFL.com.au share their thoughts on the players to watch out for in each of the positional groups.

Medium midfielders

South Australians Connor Rozee and Jackson Hately and Victorian Riley Collier-Dawkins headline the list of medium midfielders to test at this week's Combine. Rozee, a 185cm half-forward/midfielder, can play in all three areas of the ground, ending the season with a bang and figures to feature prominently in the lead up to this year's NAB AFL Draft. Rozee starred for North Adelaide at senior level in the SANFL at half-back late in the season. Collier-Dawkins is another to watch out for, while Hately has pushed his way into top-15 calculations. Possible top-10 pick and midfielder Bailey Smith will not test at the Combine after succumbing to a heel injury late in the season.

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Medium forwards

Exciting South Australian Izak Rankine and versatile Victorian Curtis Taylor are the top of the list of medium midfielders in this year's Combine. Rankine is seriously talented, he has pace to burn and an uncanny goal sense. Taylor can find the goals and he's strong in the air for a player of his height at 186cm. 

Small midfielders, small defenders, small forwards

There are a couple to look at in this bunch, with Ned McHenry, Chayce Jones and West Australian Jarrod Cameron among the candidates. McHenry is expected to test well at the 2km time trial, while Cameron is the younger brother of Brisbane's Charlie. Ian Hill, the speedster from WA, underwent shoulder surgery recently so won't be able to show his wares, having clocked in at 2.82 seconds over 20m.

Tall forwards/ruckmen

Possible No.1 draft selection Jack Lukosius is the one to watch here, while Max King, Bailey Williams and Josh Corbett are others to consider among this list. Lukosius is a rangy South Australian product expected to feature highly in the goalkicking test. Lukosius can play at either end of the ground, he kicks the ball superbly and understands the game better than most. King will not test after rupturing his ACL earlier in the season, while Williams and mature-age VFL forward Corbett are others to keep an eye on. 

Tall defenders

There are a couple of familiar names among this group with Ben King, Will Kelly, Ben Silvagni and Riley Grundy set to feature. Ben King, the twin brother of Max, is listed as a tall defender, but he is just as adept at the other end of the ground as he proved for the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup towards the end of the season. King is a brilliant mark and reliable kick at goal. Kelly, the son of Collingwood premiership player Craig and an eligible father-son pick, is another one on the radar as an early second-round selection. However, he will not test at this year's Combine due to injury. Silvagni, the son of Steven and brother of Jack, and Grundy, the younger brother of Collingwood's Brodie, are also among this list. 

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Medium defenders

Isaac Quaynor, Xavier Duursma and Jordan Clark are the highly credentialed players to put on your radar out of this group. Quaynor, who a member of Collingwood's next generation academy, has good speed and agility and can push into the midfield if needed. He also uses the football effectively and may attract interest from opposition clubs, in regard to a bid, in the first 15 picks in this year's Draft. Xavier Duursma has some X-factor with an exciting burst of speed and an ability to finish in front of goals, while West Australian Jordan Clark is another who has fans among clubs given his poise off half-back.