By JARROD POTTER
EIGHT Dandenong Stingrays have been hand-picked by AFL recruiters to test at the prestigious AFL National Draft Combine later this year.
Needing at least five AFL clubs to show an interest to get a nomination, the Stingrays’ stars are part of the 75 best prospects for this year’s draft. The combine is the final scouting tool available to AFL clubs ahead of October’s national draft and the Stingrays’ eight will be assessed based on endurance, speed, jumping capability, kicking, handballing and psychometric evaluations.
Beaconsfield Football Club in particular is extremely well represented with 2014 Casey Cardinia premiership winning pair Brandon White and Thomas Jok earning selection on the back of exceptional work in the Vic Country, TAC Cup and schoolboys systems.
The other two Eagles set to soar at the combine are national champions Tommy Glen and Bailey Rice.
Three All Australians – Keiran Collins, Jacob Weitering and ruckman Gach Nyuon – were part of the final 75 as well as fellow national championships winner Kurt Mutimer.
Dandenong Stingrays’ region manager Mark Wheeler said it was proof positive of the Stingrays’ exceptional list to get eight members into this select group.
“As a club we’re extremely happy,” Wheeler said.
“To have eight out of one club – we always thought we had a strong year and always thought a really deep list and it’s proving that.
“They’ve all done the work and now it’s just about finishing it off.”
Gippsland Power had five make the short-list with Warragul twins Ben and Harry McKay selected for their impressive forward-line performances alongside potential Sydney Swans’ father-son selection Josh Dunkley.
The combine’s list has yet to be finalised with further players able to be added throughout the remainder of the season. The testing runs from 8-11 October.
AFL 2015 NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE LIST
DANDENONG STINGRAYS: Kieran Collins, Tommy Glen, Thomas Jok, Kurt Mutimer, Gach Nyuon, Bailey Rice, Jacob Weitering, Brandon White.
GIPPSLAND POWER: Nash Holmes, Ben McKay, Sam Skinner, Harry McKay, Josh Dunkley.
