Tall Forwards named for Draft Combine

The Tall Forwards group comprises of 14 players.  Two players, Patrick McCartin (Vic Country) and Darcy Moore (Vic Metro) were included in the 2014 NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian team and five players are graduates of the NAB AFL Academy.

AFL Academies Development Manager Michael Ablett said the importance of Tall Forwards cannot be underestimated.  

“If you look back over the past seven years, the likes of Jarryd Roughead, Lance Franklin, Travis Cloke, Tom Hawkins and Adam Goodes have all played pivotal roles in their respective clubs Premiership success,” he said.

“AFL Clubs will rarely pass-up an opportunity to select a Tall Forward and this is highlighted in the history of the past six NAB AFL Drafts where Matthew Kruezer, Jack Watts, Jonathon Patton and Tom Boyd have all been taken with the number one pick.

“The role of Tall Forwards has continued to evolve over time, no longer do we see the ‘stay at home’ forwards, rather these players are often now required to cover significant amounts of ground and also contribute as a back-up ruckman, therefore their versatility is vital.”

Ninety-six players will attend the 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne at Etihad Stadium from Tuesday September 30 to Friday October 3.

State Combines will be held in Melbourne (October 4), Adelaide (October 11) and Perth (October 12).

The remaining positioned groups will be release as follows:

Tall Defenders – Tuesday August 12

Medium Midfielders – Tuesday August 19

Medium Forwards – Tuesday August 26

Small Forwards/Midfielders/Defenders – Tuesday September 2

Ruckmen – Tuesday September 9

2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine – National
Tall Forwards
Abaina Davis             
UNSW-Easts              
27.1.1996        
Height: 193cm            
Weight: 86kg
Mobile strong and powerful tall forward with strong hands overhead. Averaged 13.3 disposals and five marks in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Showed good mobility and is very creative inside 50. Hard to stop once he gets front position and is a reliable set shot for goal. Averaged 13.3 disposals and five marks during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.  Sydney Swans Academy Player.

Jeremy Finlayson      
Hills Eagles                 
9.2.1996          
Height: 195cm                        
Weight: 84kg
Athletic and beautifully balanced tall forward who possesses a penetrating left foot. Can play as a deep leading forward who is difficult to stop and also shows excellent mobility playing further up the ground.  Marks strongly on the lead. Averaged 12 disposals and 3.7 marks during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.  GWS Giants Academy Player.

Nicholas Coughlan    
Murray Bushrangers / Albury
12.9.1996        
Height: 193cm                        
Weight: 84kg
Tall Forward with good athletic ability and strong overhead. Agile and presents well on the lead. A reliable set shot for goal as well as an excellent field kick on his preferred right foot. Averaged 10 disposals (four contested possessions) and a goal in three matches during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Member of NAB AFL National Academy in 2014.

Dougal Howard         
Murray Bushrangers / Albury 
25.3.1996        
Height: 195cm                        
Weight: 88kg
Tall developing forward that provides an excellent target inside 50.  His overhead marking is a strength and once he takes front position it’s difficult for defenders to spoil.  Possesses an excellent vertical leap while also showing elite leg speed for a player of his size (2.92secs 20m Sprint).  Played senior footy with the Wagga Tigers in 2013.  Averaged four marks and one goal per game during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.  GWS Giants Academy player