Only four frontline ruckmen are among the 82 players named to attend to the 2015 AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne next month.
Sturt’s 204cm Andre Parrella is one of the tallest players available in the draft but it is likely that some early picks will be used on the best of the tall forwards including Josh Schache, the son of 1993 Woodville-West Torrens premiership forward Laurence Schache.
The draft combine will be held at Etihad Stadium from Thursday October 8 to Sunday October 11.
State Combines are then scheduled for Melbourne (October 11), Perth (October 18), Adelaide (October 19) and Sydney (October 26).
Keep checking afc.com.au’s Draft & Trade Hub for analysis of the remaining groups as follows:
Tall Defenders September 16
Small Def/Mid/For September 23
2015 NAB AFL Draft Combine – National
Tall Forwards/Rucks
Victoria
Charles Curnow Torquay/Geelong Falcons
3/02/1997 Height: 191cm Weight: 95kg
Powerful tall forward/midfielder who is extremely athletic, strong overhead and dangerous near goals. Showed potential for NAB AFL Academy vs VFL opposition earlier this year before injury kept him out of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Has returned to TAC Cup football with Geelong Falcons in the last four matches kicking 13 goals and showcasing his potential as a marking forward. Brother of Carlton's Ed.
Harry McKay Warrigal/Gippsland Power
24/12/1997 Height: 200cm Weight: 85kg
Left footed tall forward/ruckman who has great pace and agility for a player of his size. His ability to mark as a lead up forward is also a feature of his game. Had a standout performance against South Australia at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was a consistent performer throughout. Won All-Australian Under-18 honours this year. Twin brother Ben also invited to NAB AFL Draft Combine.
Callum Moore Calder Cannons/Aberfeldie
3/09/1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 95kg
Key position player who shows great ability with his contested marking as well as his ferocious attack on the ball. Very agile and sound below his knees for a player of his size. Was injured at the beginning of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, limiting him to four matches, averaging four marks and 2.8 inside 50s. Showed his potential with his seven marks and 10 possessions vs Western Australia in Round Five of the championships.
Gach Nyuon Dandenong Stingrays/Narre Warren
19/03/1997 Height: 201cm Weight: 81kg
Athletic ruckman who played a major role in the success of Vic Country being the outstanding ruckman of the championships and winning All-Australian Under-18 honours. Provided first use to his midfield and continually provided a target around the ground. Born in Sudan, he arrived in Australia with his family aged seven. Best on ground in first round of TAC Cup finals gathering 19 possessions, seven marks and 32 hitouts for the Stingrays. Member of the NAB AFL Academy. Averaged 22.8 hitouts per game at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Joshua Schache Murray Bushrangers/Seymour
21/08/1997 Height: 199cm Weight: 96kg
Tall forward that presents up strongly on the lead and had a very clean set of hands in the marking contest. His goal sense in general play is excellent as is his set shot goal-kicking on his preferred left foot. His strong mature body gives him an advantage over the opposition and he uses it very well in contested situations. Won the Larke Medal - Division One best and fairest player and the Vic Country MVP as well as All-Australian honours. Averaged 15.8 disposals, 6.7 marks and kicked 24 goals (averaged four goals per game) at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Member of NAB AFL Academy.
Sam Weideman Eastern Ranges/Vermont
26/06/1997 Height: 196cm Weight: 91kg
Tall forward who is a terrific contested mark and accurate in front of goal. Courageous and aggressive player who impressed for NAB AFL Academy vs Werribee and Northern Blues at senior level earlier this year before injury kept him out of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Father Mark and Grandfather Murray played at Collingwood.
Mitchell King Wodonga/Murray Bushrangers
1/1/1997 Height: 199cm Weight: 90kg
Ruckman who has been a state representative in both basketball and football as a junior. Athletic player who both links up well around the ground and is strong overhead. After injury interrupted start to the year has recovered to play 10 games with the Bushrangers with 20 disposals and five marks against Gippsland his best performance.
NSW/ACT
Matthew Flynn Narrandera
13/09/1997 Height: 200cm Weight: 99kg
Developing ruckman who competes aggressively and is athletic. Agile and courageous, he can push forward and be dangerous as a marking forward. Excellent below the knees for a player of his size and shows real potential with his rucking craft at stoppages. Averaged 10.7 possessions and 23.3 hitouts at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Member of GWS Academy.
Harrison Himmelberg Eastlake/Mangoplah CUE
8/05/1996 Height: 192cm Weight: 84kg
Extremely mobile tall forward who relocated to Eastlake from Riverina this year after an injury interrupted 2014. Presents very well with his repeat efforts and has good hands. Averaged 14 possessions, six marks and 1.7 goals at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Member of GWS Academy.
South Australia
Matthew Allen Glenelg/North Gambier
18/10/1997 Height: 193cm Weight: 97kg
Tall forward who is quality user of the ball, particularly on his preferred left foot. Other strengths include his lead up marking, displaying a safe set of hands. Understands how to use his body in contested situations, regularly winning one-on-ones. From an elite cricket background. Kicked 15 goals in six matches at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Ryan Burton North Adelaide/PHOS Camden
31/01/1997 Height: 191cm Weight: 90kg
Very talented tall forward that moves effortlessly across the ground. Excels on the lead and rarely misses from a set shot position due to his smooth kicking action. Kicked five goals vs Western Australia at Under-18 level in 2014 before suffering a badly broken leg after landing awkwardly in a marking contest. Is on the road to a full recovery but hasn’t played this year. Played senior football as a 17-year-old last year for North Adelaide. NAB AFL Academy graduate.
Andre Parrella Sturt/Unley
21/09/1997 Height: 203cm Weight: 104kg
Tennis convert at 203cm, displays great touch and understanding as a ruckman and how to position his body in ruck contests. Displays similar attributes as Brodie Grundy at the same time in their development, both coming from other sports. Averaged 28.8 hitouts at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, with many being to the advantage of his team mates.
Queensland
Mabior Chol Yeronga
29/01/1997 Height: 198cm Weight: 78kg
Sudanese-born tall forward who also can play in the ruck. Left footer who is quick and agile and a good user of the ball by hand and foot. Moved from Sudan to Queensland at eight years of age. Member of Brisbane Lions Academy. Impressed in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 10 possessions (80 percent efficiency) and 13 hitouts.
2015 NAB AFL Draft Combine – State
Tall Forwards/Rucks
Karl Brown Calder Cannons Vic
1.12.1997 Height: 192cm Weight: 90kg
Mitch Brown Sandringham VFL Vic
28.8.1990 Height: 196cm Weight: 93kg
Wylie Buzza Mt Gravatt/Redlands QLD
2.3.1996 Height: 198cm Weight: 97kg
Max Canfield Murray Bushrangers NSW
10.7.1996 Height: 195cm Weight: 81kg
Ash Close Collingwood VFL Vic
24.12.1991 Height: 199cm Weight: 88kg
David Ehlers Claremont WA
6.12.1996 Height: 195cm Weight: 79kg
James Freeman Dandenong Stingrays Vic
14.2.1996 Height: 189cm Weight: 81kg
Liam Hulett Dandenong Stingrays Vic
17.3.1997 Height: 193cm Weight: 89kg
Trent McMullan Murray Bushrangers Vic
24.2.1997 Height: 193cm Weight: 82kg
Jordan Moncrieff Casey Scorpions VFL
24.7.1992 Height: 197cm Weight: 92kg
Harry Thompson Oakleigh Chargers Vic
13.2.1997 Height: 194cm Weight: 90kg
Josh Branchi South Fremantle WA
15.4.1994 Height: 202cm Weight: 104kg
Darcy Cameron Claremont WA
18.7.1995 Height: 204cm Weight: 104kg
Kyle Galloway Murray Bushrangers Vic
21.11.1996 Height: 206cm Weight: 104kg
Paul Hunter Redlands QLD
9.2.1993 Height: 200cm Weight: 97kg
Jarrad Smith Eastern Rangers Vic
25.5.1997 Height: 202cm Weight: 93kg
Tim Sullivan Glenelg SA
28.2.1997 Height: 199cm Weight: 90kg
