With under a month to go until the NAB AFL Draft, Callum Twomey exposes three players who have risen up the ranks to now sit in first round calculations. Will any of these players become Lions?
Oliver Florent
POS: Midfielder/Half-forward, Ht 183cm, WT 74kg, DOB 22/7/98
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Florent was craving more midfield time as the year went on and got that late in the piece, including a starring performance in the NAB All Stars game on Grand Final eve. He gathered 29 disposals and seven clearances and was judged one of the best afield. Florent's pace, zip and classy ball use makes him stand out in this year's midfield class. He backed up his good end to the season, which included 24 disposals and a goal in Sandringham's TAC Cup premiership win, with a top combine. He was a joint winner of the beep test and was top-10 in agility, running vertical jump (left foot) and clean hands test to cap what has been a tough year for the resilient teenager.
Oliver Florent of the Sandringham Dragons tries to escape a tackle. (Photo: AFL Media)
COMPETITION: WIN tickets to the 2016 NAB AFL Draft!
Will Hayward
POS: Half-forward, Ht 186cm, Wt 76kg, DOB 26/10/98
From North Adelaide/South Australia
The medium forward has been the late bolter with his finish to the season. The talented medium forward starred in the SANFL under-18 finals, booting nine goals in the preliminary final and four in the Grand Final for North Adelaide. He finished the year with 29 goals for the club at under-18 level, and showed his marking ability overhead and great sense around goal. At his size you could see him slotting in nicely in most forward set ups. Seems likely to be the first South Australian drafted.
Will Hayward runs with the ball as he completes the Goal Kicking Assessment during the NAB AFL Draft Combine. (Photo: AFL Media)
Jordan Ridley
POS: Utility, Ht 192cm, WT 79kg, DOB 20/10/98
From Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Ridley is an elite ball user, taking out the kicking test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine this year. He's a modern sized player with the ability to play a number of different roles. Standing at 192cm tall, Ridley's versatility will be appealing to Clubs, and he has played arguably his best football on the wing or at half back.
Jordan Ridley in action for the Oakleigh Chargers. (Photo: AFL Media)
Latest Draft News:
