Draft camp results

[bornadog]

2:11 PM Fri 03 October, 2008

REPEAT SPRINTS – 6 x 30 metres
This test involves players running 6 x 30 metres sprints with a 20-second time cycle. For example, if the player runs 30 metres in 4.30 seconds, he then has 15.30 seconds to recover, before starting his next 30-metre sprint.

1 – Ryan Schoenmakers (Norwood, SA – medium forward) – 24.82 seconds
2 – Sam Blease (Eastern Ranges, VIC – small/medium midfielder) – 24.97
Matthew DeBoer (Claremont, WA – medium midfielder) – 24.97
4 – Nick Naitanui (Swan Districts, WA – ruckman) – 25.10
James Strauss (Oakleigh Chargers, VIC – medium midfielder) – 25.10
6 – Ashley Smith – (Dandenong Stingrays, VIC – medium defender) – 25.14
7 – Stephen Hill (West Perth, WA – small/medium midfielder) – 25.44
Jack Watts (Sandringham Dragons, VIC – tall forward) – 25.44
9 – Alistair Smith (Perth, WA – small/medium midfielder) – 25.48
10 – Taylor Hunt (Sandringham Dragons, VIC – medium defender) – 25.49
11 – Rory Sloane (Eastern Ranges, VIC – medium defender) – 25.57
12 – Tom Lynch (Sandringham Dragons, VIC – tall forward) – 25.67
13 – Chris Yarran (Swan Districts, WA – medium forward) – 25.74

HEIGHT – tallest players at the draft camp

1 – Ayce Cordy (Geelong Falcons, VIC – ruckman) – 201.7cm
2 – Nick Naitanui (Swan Districts, WA – ruckman) – 200.9cm
3 – Rhys Stanley (West Adelaide, SA – ruckman) – 200.4cm
4 – Tyrone Vickery (Sandringham Dragons, VIC – ruckman) – 200.0cm
5 – Jordan Roughead (North Ballarat Rebels, VIC – ruckman) – 199.7cm
6 – Bart McCulloch (Tassie Mariners, TAS – ruckman) – 198.9cm
7 – Tom Hill (Northern Knights, VIC – ruckman) – 198.5cm
8 – Jackson Trengove (Calder Cannons, VIC – tall forward) – 196.5cm
9 – Shaun McKernan (Calder Cannons, VIC – ruckman) – 196.0cm
10 – Jack Watts (Sandringham Dragons, VIC – tall forward) – 195.8cm

WEIGHT – heaviest players at the draft camp

1 – Matthew Martin (West Adelaide, SA – tall defender) – 99.35kg
2 – Shaun McKernan (Calder Cannons, VIC – ruckman) – 94.30kg
3 – Nick Naitanui (Swan Districts, WA – ruckman) – 93.90kg
4 – Jordan Lisle (Oakleigh Chargers, VIC – tall forward) – 92.75kg
5 – Micheal Hurley (Northern Knights, VIC – tall defender) – 91.80kg
6 – Jordan Roughead (North Ballarat Rebels, VIC – ruckman) – 91.75kg
7 – Clancee Pearce (Swan Districts, WA – medium defender) – 89.75kg
8 – Tyrone Vickery (Sandringham Dragons, VIC – ruckman) – 88.80kg
Rhys Stanley (West Adelaide, SA – ruckman) – 88.80kg
10 – Jackson Trengove (Calder Cannons, VIC – tall forward) – 88.50kg

AGILITY
This is a slalom-type course where players change directions. The specially-designed circuit, roughly 40 metres in total, is set out in a zig-zag pattern.
1 – Stephen Hill (West Perth, WA – small/medium midfielder) – 7.77 seconds – draft camp record
2 – Jack Watts (Sandringham Dragons, VIC – tall forward) – 8.03
3 – James Strauss (Oakleigh Chargers, VIC – medium midfielder) – 8.18
4 – Nick Suban (North Ballarat Rebels, VIC – medium midfielder) – 8.25
5 – Ayce Cordy (Geelong Falcons, VIC – ruckman) – 8.27
6 – Shaun McKernan (Calder Cannons, VIC – ruckman) – 8.31
7 – Neville Jetta (Swan Districts, WA – medium forward) – 8.32
Dan Hannebery (Oakleigh Chargers, VIC – small/medium midfielder) – 8.32
9 – Luke Shuey (Oakleigh Chargers, VIC – medium midfielder) – 8.34
10 – Liam Jones (Tassie Mariners, TAS – tall forward) – 8.35

THREE-KM TIME TRIAL
This is a straight out three-km time-trial held in racing conditions around the athletics track.
1 – Dan Hannebery (Oakleigh Chargers, VIC – small/medium midfielder) – 10min 17sec
2 – Steele Sidebottom (Murray Bushrangers, VIC – medium defender) – 10.32
3 – Sam McGarry (Sandringham Dragons, VIC – medium defender) – 10.41
4 – Tyson Slattery (West Adelaide, SA – medium defender) – 10.42
5 – Chris Hall (Eagles, SA – small/medium midfielder) – 10.42
6 – Michael Gugliotta (Nightcliff, NT – tall defender) – 10.43
7 – Rory Sloane (Eastern Ranges, VIC – medium defender) – 10.44
8 – Matthew DeBoer (Claremont, WA – medium midfielder) – 10.53
9 – Jarrad Blight (Swan Districts, WA – medium defender) – 10.57
10 – Matthew Broadbent (Eagles, SA – tall defender) – 10.57

STANDING VERTICAL JUMP
This is a stand and jump test, with the best results from the three or four jumps recorded. To record the jump, a vertex machine is used. A player must slap the highest possible slat on this machine for the best jump to be recorded. Each slat is roughly a centimetre apart.

1 – Nick Naitanui (Swan Districts, WA – ruckman) – 78cm
2 – Shaun McKernan (Calder Cannons, VIC – ruckman) – 74cm
3 – Tom Swift (Claremont, WA – medium midfielder) – 72cm
Stephen Hill (West Perth, WA – small/medium midfielder) – 72cm
5 – Jack Watts (Sandringham Dragons, VIC – tall forward) – 70cm
Sam Blease (Eastern Ranges, VIC – small/medium midfielder) – 70cm
7 – Ryan Schoenmakers (Norwood, SA – medium forward) – 69cm
Nick Heyne (Gippsland Power, VIC – medium forward) – 69cm
Bryce Carroll (Western Jets, VIC – medium forward) – 69cm
10 – Michael Gugliotta (Nightcliff, NT – tall defender) – 67cm
Ashley Smith (Dandenong Stingrays, VIC – medium defender) – 67cm
Alistair Smith (Perth, WA – small/medium midfielder) – 67cm

RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP

Winner – Nick Naitanui (Swan Districts, WA – ruckman) – 1.02 metres
This record equalled Brisbane Lion Jared Brennan

20-METRE SPRINT
A straight out 20-metre sprint test, with the best time recorded from three attempts.
1 – Ashley Smith (Dandenong Stingrays, VIC – small/medium midfielder) – 2.80 seconds – Just missed out on the record held by Port Adelaide's Danyle Pearce (2.79 sec)
2 – Jack Watts – (Sandringham Dragons, VIC – tall forward) – 2.82
3 – Stephen Hill (West Perth, WA – small/medium midfielder) – 2.83
4 – Nick Naitanui (Swan Districts, WA – ruckman) – 2.86
5 – Tom Swift (Claremont, WA – medium midfielder) – 2.89
6 – Ryan Schoenmakers (Norwood, SA – medium forward) – 2.90
7 – Nick Heyne (Gippsland Power, VIC – medium forward) – 2.91
Sam Blease (Eastern Ranges, VIC – small/medium midfielder) – 2.91
9 – Luke Shuey (Oakleigh Chargers, VIC – medium midfielder) – 2.92
Taylor Hunt (Sandringham Dragons, VIC – medium defender) – 2.92
Matthew DeBoer (Claremont, WA – medium midfielder) – 2.92

SHUTTLE RUN (AKA BEEP TEST)
The shuttle run is held on the basketball courts. Players must run 20 metres before hearing a beep. It starts off slowly and builds up rapidly, with players increasing their pace significantly. The beeps get quicker each time the players progress. It is a last man standing test. Each player gets one warning – if they miss one beep – they cannot afford to miss another one, as they will be disqualified from the shuttle run. An average draft camp run is level 13.3. A very good level is 14-plus and 15-plus is rare.

1 – Chris Hall (Eagles, SA – small/medium midfielder) – Level 14.6
2 – Rory Sloane (Eastern Ranges, VIC – medium defender) – 14.5
Steele Sidebottom (Murray Bushrangers, VIC – medium defender) – 14.5
4 – Luke Shuey (Oakleigh Chargers, VIC – medium midfielder) – 14.4
5 – Jarrad Blight (Swan Districts, WA – medium defender) – 14.3
Tyson Slattery (West Adelaide, SA – medium defender) – 14.3
7 – Dan Hannebery (Oakleigh Chargers, VIC – small/medium midfielder) – 14.2
Ian Richardson (Claremont, WA – medium forward) – 14.2
9 – Tom Lynch (Sandringham Dragons, VIC – tall forward) – 14.1
Tom Swift (Claremont, WA – medium midfielder) – 14.1

[bornadog]

Surprised with Beep Test results, no one over 15. Average is 13.3.

[bornadog]

Draft camp day two: The beep goes on
By Matt Burgan
12:02 PM Fri 03 October, 2008

HERE are the thoughts of some of the NAB AFL Draft Camp attendees at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra – day two …

Thursday, October 2

* 8.15-9am – TAIS appraisal
(Questionnaire)

Zach Sengstock, Sandringham Dragons, VIC
"The TAIS appraisal wasn't too bad. There were multiple questions, where you could answer things like 'always' or 'never'. Some of them were easy and some were tough. One question was: 'Have you ever broken the law?' There were also personality questions which show what type of personality you are."

* 9.15-11.30am – Fitness assessments
(Sprint, agility, vertical jump)

Ashley Smith, Dandenong Stingrays, VIC
"On the vertical jump, I started on my right foot and that's not really my best foot to jump from. I jumped about 20cm lower than off my left foot. Then I jumped about 82cm on my left foot. In the 20-metre sprint, I was hoping to get less than 2.9 seconds – I'd never been under that before. I noticed 'Wattsy' [Jack Watts] had done 2.82 seconds, so I was hoping to beat that. In my first one, I got 2.89 seconds and I was pretty happy with that. Then I put everything into it and got 2.80 seconds. In the agility, I got a pretty average score, although it was better than normal. It's not one of my best events. I had a groin injury for six weeks this season, so my fitness dropped off, so I'm pretty happy overall."

* 11.30am-12.30pm/1.30pm-4.30pm/7-9pm – AFL club informal interviews
(With AFL club coaches, recruiting managers and key officials)

Luke Shuey, Oakleigh Chargers, VIC
"They've all been pretty relaxed. They've asked general questions like, how my season's gone. There has also been a bit of self-assessment. They ask how your tests have gone and they generally revolve how you would go at an AFL club. I've spoken to one club today and five yesterday. They have varied across the board. I've had game simulation questions asked for example. But it's been good."

* 1.30-4.30pm – Fitness assessments
(Height/weight, skinfolds, arm length, handspan)

Lewis Johnston, North Adelaide, SA
"We had those measurements and also had our vertical leap tested. I'd been tested before in the AIS/AFL Academy, so I knew what was coming. I came second in the tall forwards and in the standing vertical jump.

* 1.30-4.30pm – Psychomotor tests
(Reaction time/decision-making/peripheral awareness)

Matthew DeBoer, Claremont, WA
"It was bit different – I'd never done anything like it before. We had a light-up board in the dark and using your backhand you had to see how many lights you could hit in a minute. 'Wattsy' [Jack Watts] had the record. The tests were basically testing how quick you could react to lights. Table tennis was the only real reaction tests I'd done before."

* 5pm – Fitness assessments
(Shuttle run – aka beep test)

Rory Sloane, Eastern Ranges, VIC
"I'd run a couple of beep tests for Eastern and my previous best was [level] 14.2, so to get 14.10 was good. This environment brings out the best in everyone doesn't it? My surfing helps my fitness, so I try to get in the water as often as possible. I told a couple of the recruiters that I would get a 14.8 and then one of them gave me a bit of s---, saying: 'What are you doing, you got more than 14.8?'. I said: 'I promised you something, so I delivered'."

[Rocket Science]

A little surprised the tallest bloke at camp can't get a gig in the top-ten for the standing vertical jump.

Assume this is likely a (leg) strength issue?

[Sockeye Salmon]

A little surprised the tallest bloke at camp can't get a gig in the top-ten for the standing vertical jump.

Assume this is likely a (leg) strength issue?

Height has nothing to with it. Hill or Stack have the biggest vertical leap at the club.

[Rocket Science]

Ta, on board now...it's a measure of the jump itself, not the height attained.

[Scorlibo]

A little surprised the tallest bloke at camp can't get a gig in the top-ten for the standing vertical jump.

Assume this is likely a (leg) strength issue?

Ayce was apparently fairly high up for a fair bit of the testing, he might have finished just outside the top ten.

[The Coon Dog]

Does all this testing really make any difference in the eyes of the recruiters?

[LostDoggy]

Does all this testing really make any difference in the eyes of the recruiters?

Bugger all I bet.
If football was just a beep test or a agile test it would make a difference. I suppose they indicates a players athletic abilities.
These tests don't show if they can kick, handball, mark or get the footy. Nor do they show anything about a players mental state.

We did win the tallest player prize. Whoopeee!

[Scorlibo]

Nor do they show anything about a players mental state.

Probably the only area which will play a part in the recruiters' minds is how the players come across in the interview.

[dog town]

The recruiters definetly look at it. Why wouldn't you? It can confirm something you thought about a player or shed light on other areas. You would be silly not to take notice of it.

[Scorlibo]

The recruiters definetly look at it. Why wouldn't you? It can confirm something you thought about a player or shed light on other areas. You would be silly not to take notice of it.

Yes but as to whether it changes the minds of the recruiters is questionable. All areas tested should be displayed on the football field. Its not like the recruiters don't know that Jack Watts is quick over a short distance. Also, if a player tests well in say the vertical jump but does not show such leap on the field, then what use are the results? That player might have terrible hands and hence doesn't jump in a marking contest a lot etc. You can't read much into it.

[ledge]

In the end its natural abillity and if you have a football brain, i bet a certain D.Hawkins or D. Millane would have struggled to have got on the bus let alone perform in a draft camp.

[dog town]

Yes but as to whether it changes the minds of the recruiters is questionable. All areas tested should be displayed on the football field. Its not like the recruiters don't know that Jack Watts is quick over a short distance. Also, if a player tests well in say the vertical jump but does not show such leap on the field, then what use are the results? That player might have terrible hands and hence doesn't jump in a marking contest a lot etc. You can't read much into it. I can guarantee you it does change recruiters minds from time to time. If it didn't then the whole thing would not exist.

[LostDoggy]

We did win the tallest player prize. Whoopeee!

We probably won the prize for skinniest player too!

[LostDoggy]

We probably won the prize for skinniest player too!

Yeah it's a little concerning that the tallest player isn't in the top 10 in weight, but unlike height at least the weight we can change. These results don't tell us a lot about their footballing ability, but they're good to have all the same.

[soupman]

The draft camp is definitely useful, what else would nespaper writers refer to when writing up their player profiles eg. Ashley Smith is now officially "lightning quick".

I think the tests are more so to confirm recruiters perceptions of players, to help compare players who may be on a similiar rating and to establish whether a player has more scope for improvement ie. Are they using their attributes effectively. Maybe a Forward might record a fantastic beep test, indicating he could be moved into the middle at some stage, or that one player has pace but hasn't been taught to use it.

[bulldogtragic]

Mick Malthouse said the draft camp is a waste of time. Interesting take on it.

[GVGjr]

Does all this testing really make any difference in the eyes of the recruiters?


I think it does. If you rank a number of players closely on ability and the draft camp highlights that one or two of them have bigger leaps or are a step quicker than others in that group it can assist in identifying the better fit for your team. The tests are very much a tie breaker for the recruiting teams.
They also put the players through a lot more tests than just those listed so it does help.

Beatson was on SEN talking about the results and said that this years camp had substantially more speedsters than previous years and yet stamina wise, the results in the 3km and shuttle runs were down on previous years. Hot and windy conditions for the 3km time trial though.

[GVGjr]

This is a good summary from Emma Quayle

The next big thing (http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/the-next-big-things/2008/10/04/1223013861362.html)s


Emma Quayle | October 5, 2008

THE draft camp is over, which means there are just eight more weeks until each AFL club chooses its next bunch of potential superstars and saviours.

The camp tends to confirm things that had already been evident on football fields — Jack Watts was quick before this week, Nick Naitanui could jump high and Stephen Hill was already agile — but other players may have done one little thing to make the recruiters go back to their tapes.

Here are some of the major names that clubs will be contemplating as they complete their wish-list for the national draft on November 29.

THE MIDFIELDERS
Dan Rich's hard-at-it approach and sweet left foot have long been highly rated and he seems likely to stay at home in Perth, although that may change should West Coast opt for Naitanui and Fremantle looks at Chris Yarran instead. It's difficult to see Rich getting past Port Adelaide, although you never know. Expect him to play senior footy next year. Steele Sidebottom is shooting up the order — he can win lots of the ball, cleanly, kick it, kick goals and take marks against players bigger and stronger. He isn't too quick, but he makes good split-second decisions as compensation and can run all day. It's hard to see what should prevent him from being a very high pick. Jack Ziebell is the big, strong type of onballer, likely to win the ball in tough, tight situations, whereas Hamish Hartlett will provide the classy finish. Hill is tall, quick and agile and may go top 10. Sam Blease is your always-on-the-move, run-and-carry type — don't expect him to last far past the first nine or 10. Luke Shuey, who plays with sure hands and good anticipation, and the calm, composed James Strauss are others who have done their chances no harm. Ball-winner Nick Suban will be around the mark, Michael Walters, a small, innovative player, should be another first-rounder, as should Tom Swift, despite missing almost two years with knee injuries.

THE FORWARDS
Pencil Watts in as Melbourne's No. 1 pick, allow him some time to come on, but expect to see him making fast leads and taking big pack marks in the future. Yarran could be the most gifted player in the draft. He can dictate the course of a match when he's on and, if the clubs rate his midfield potential, he will be picked very high as well. Essendon will find him hard to pass on at No. 5, if Fremantle hasn't already been swayed. Lewis Johnston has clean hands, and could turn into a full-forward. He does some risky things but is always doing something. Ryan Schoenmakers takes a good mark, too, and could be a late mover. At 191 centimetres, Tom Lynch looks like he should be a tall midfield runner — but he doesn't yet have the engine for it. He plays with great desire, though, can lead-up well and is only just back from a knee reconstruction. And please can someone draft Tom Rockliff — he's not quick, he doesn't have much endurance and he hasn't yet proven he can play on the ball. But he is a smart, instinctive, creative player who just gets the ball, kicks goals and make things happen. Aaron Cornelius should fit in somewhere too, perhaps in the second round.

THE DEFENDERS
Michael Hurley isn't quick, clocking a smidgen over three seconds in the 20-metre sprint. So the clubs considering him as a key back will have to weigh his speed off the mark versus his long list of attributes — his precise, long kicking; his aggression, poise, ability to grab a mark at key moments and to go forward if needed. Essendon and Carlton could do with key defenders and he'll be in their thinking. So too will Jackson Trengove, who has more athleticism, an equally feisty attitude, a big leap and the potential to play in the ruck. The query on him is injury — the Calder Cannon tore his hamstring from his fibula and hasn't played since mid-season. There has been some hype around North Adelaide player Phil Davis, a possible bolter, with the Crows thought to be keen. Jordan Lisle played in defence and attack for Vic Country this year and looks like he could develop some real strength and presence.

THE RUCKMEN
This is where this year's point of difference lies — there are a lot of very good, very big players around. It means those who need them — Carlton and Essendon, among others — might be able to sneak a good one through to the second round. Naitanui's potential has been well-documented, and he has great determination (as evidenced in his tackling and clearance rate), which suggests he'll do everything he can to make up ground where his kicking and game sense are concerned. While the Eagles have long been linked with Rich, Naitanui may be the one they pick. Tyrone Vickery is a ruckman, too, and quick, although some may actually prefer him as a key-forward option. There can't be many ticks against him. The very tall, very skinny and incredibly nimble Ayce Cordy will head to the Western Bulldogs tomorrow as a father-son pick, and Shaun McKernan, another athletic, spring-heeled type who can kick goals, should be on the edge of the top 10 somewhere. Another one to watch out for is Jordan Roughead — he has good speed, good endurance and, most importantly, he can play. South Australian Jarrad Redden is highly rated and a lot of clubs were speaking to Tom Hill, a 17-year-old Northern Knight who has bobbed up more recently.

DRAFT CAMP STARS

STANDING VERTICAL JUMP (cm)

Nicholas Naitanui 78
Shaun McKernan 74
Tom Swift, Stephen Hill 72
Jack Watts, Sam Blease 70
Ryan Schoenmakers 69
Nic Heyne, Bryce Carroll 69
Michael Gugliotta, Ashley Smith,
Alistair Smith 67

20-METRE SPRINT (seconds)

Ashley Smith 2.80
Jack Watts 2.82
Stephen Hill 2.83
Nicholas Naitanui 2.86
Tom Swift 2.89
Ryan Schoenmakers 2.90
Nic Heyne, Sam Blease 2.91
Luke Shuey, Taylor Hunt,
Matthew DeBoer 2.92

AGILITY (seconds)

Stephen Hill 7.77 (record)
Jack Watts 8.03
James Strauss 8.18
Nick Suban 8.25
Ayce Cordy 8.27
Shaun McKernan 8.31
Neville Jetta, Dan Hannebery 8.32
Luke Shuey 8.34
Liam Jones 8.35

SHUTTLE RUN/BEEP TEST (level)

Chris Hall 14.6
Rory Sloane, Steele Sidebottom 14.5
Luke Shuey 14.4
Jarrad Blight, Tyson Slattery 14.3
Dan Hannebery, Ian Richardson 14.2
Tom Lynch, Tom Swift 14.1

3KM TIME TRIAL (minutes, seconds)

Dan Hannebery 10:17
Steele Sidebottom 10:32
Sam McGarry 10:41
Tyson Slattery, Chris Hall 10:42
Michael Gugliotta 10:43
Rory Sloane 10:44
Matthew DeBoer 10:53
Jarrad Blight, Matthew Broadbent 10:57

[Sockeye Salmon]

Emma Quayle has made the draft her speciality and speaks to all the people who matter.

She's easily the most accurate journo with regards to the draft

[Dogs 24/7]

Emma Quayle has made the draft her speciality and speaks to all the people who matter.

She's easily the most accurate journo with regards to the draft

It's a growing industry much like the draft experts for US sports. Smart lady to have gone about this task and become highly regarded for her junior football knowledge. Burgan gets a lot right as well.

[strebla]

The player i am most interested in besides Cordy is Roughhead he seems ready made and is testing well doubt that he will hang around long enough though shame as he and his family follow the doggies

[Dancin' Douggy]

It's mind boggling to think they don't have kicking or handballing distances and accuracy measured.

[Bulldog Revolution]

It's mind boggling to think they don't have kicking or handballing distances and accuracy measured.

Mark Williams has an interesting article on this very point on the AFL website:

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=68656

[bornadog]

Mark Williams has an interesting article on this very point on the AFL website:

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=68656

Very good article and totally agree with Williams. How many players do you see that just can't kick a footy, its mind bogling.

[Go_Dogs]

Happy to see Schoenmakers has tested pretty well.