Days two and three of the AFL Draft Combine saw the players complete all the physical testing components of the combine. 

The 80-odd combine players were split into groups of 20, based on their size & playing position, which helps clubs ‘compare apples to apples’ when watching the action and analysing the testing data.

First up was a rotation of 20m sprint, vertical jumps and agility test followed by the repeat 30m sprint test and the beep test to finish Saturday’s action. The 3,000m time trial wrapped up the physical testing on Sunday morning.

Some of the Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy players recorded some impressive testing results with Mabior Chol 1st in the standing vertical jump with an absolute score of 334cm, 2nd in the running vertical jump with an absolute score of 357cm and relative score (absolute score minus player reach height) of 90cm.

Ben Keays won his group’s 3,000m time trial and was 6th overall in a time of 10:09min, while Eric Hipwood performed strongly across all the tests. Reuben Williams and Corey Wagner didn’t complete the physical testing due to injury restrictions.

After final interviews the boys returned home Sunday evening and will now wait until the AFL National Draft on November 24th to see if their names will be called out by the Lions or any of the other 17 AFL clubs to kick start their AFL careers.

In the meantime, the AFL State Combine for NSW, ACT, NT and QLD will take place on Sunday 24th October in Sydney with Hyundai Help for Kids academy players Gareth Hunt (Aspley/Caloundra), Nick Weller (Rookie Search/UQ) and Wylie Buzza (Redlands/Mt Gravatt) continuing to prepare themselves for physical testing and showcase their ability to AFL clubs.

“Given the fact that player's like Eric and Mabior were involved in finals for Aspley and Ben, Corey and Rueben all had varying injuries late in the season, they all have done well over the course of the combine” said Lions Academy Manager Luke Curran.

“Feedback from different sources was that the boys interviewed and represented the Academy well and it goes to show that the program is producing some good outcomes”.