Here's the second part of Shifter's top 30 prospects listed in alphabetical order:
Ben Kennedy
Position: Small Forward/Midfielder
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 74 kg
DOB: 03/03/94
Club: Glenelg/Brighton
AFL Profile: Left-footed small forward/midfielder with explosive pace and rare agility. Prolific ball winner who excels at stoppages and is extremely dangerous around goals with set shots or snaps. In 2011 won All-Australian Under 18 honours as a bottom-aged player and debuted at senior level. Backed it up this year with All-Australian honours following the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging 26.2 disposals. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.
NAB AFL Combine Results: Didn’t test due to groin injury. However has previously tested with the AIS-AFL Academy. 20m Sprint - 3.00 secs, Agility - 7.89 secs
X-factor: “Instinctive player around the stoppages and goals with rare agility to compliment.”
Jesse Lonergan
Position: Medium Midfielder
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 91 kg
DOB: 14/11/94
Club: Launceston
AFL Profile: Tough medium midfielder who attacks the ball aggressively and is clean with his ball handling and distribution. Has explosive power and is very competitive, always showing great intensity around the contest and strong second efforts. Overcame injury to play the final three matches in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging 16.3 disposals and laying 5.3 tackles per game. AIS-AFL Academy Graduate.
NAB AFL Combine Results: Standing Vertical Jump - 83cm (Top 1%)
X-factor: “A star at the stoppages using his speed, power and clean hands to great effect.”
Jackson Macrae
Position: Medium Midfielder
Height: 189 cm
Weight: 76 kg
DOB: 03/08/94
Club: Oakleigh Chargers/Carey Grammar
AFL Profile: Versatile medium midfielder who can also go back or forward. Big improver this year and is a long left foot kick. Shows great courage in the air and at ground level in his attack on the ball. Kicked six goals vs TAS in an outstanding performance and averaged 19.4 disposals at 78.4% efficiency in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships this year. Averaged 24 disposals in eleven TAC Cup games this year, having an outstanding season overall.
NAB AFL Combine Results: 20m Sprint - 2.95 secs (Top 24%) Agility - 8.40 secs (Top 20%)
X-factor: “Uncanny ability to win the ball in the air as well as at ground level. Works well in tight.”
Sam Mayes
Position: Medium Forward
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 78 kg
DOB: 20/05/94
Club: North Adelaide/Port Pirie
AFL Profile: Medium forward who has good speed and elite agility and is a good set shot for goal. Reads the game well as a lead-up forward and starred for SA at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships level in 2011, winning All Australian honours. Played midfield roles also in U18s this year to continue his development which already sees him playing senior football for North Adelaide. Graduate of the AIS-AFL Academy.
NAB AFL Combine Results: Didn’t test due to minor knee injury. However has previously tested with AIS-AFL Academy Running Vertical Jump Right - 80cm, 20m Sprint - 2.95 secs, Agility - 7.92 secs, Beep Test - 14.4
X-factor: “A one touch player on the lead and at ground level with an innate ability around goals.”
Liam McBean
Position: Ruckman
Height: 203 cm
Weight: 87 kg
DOB: 25/08/94
Club: Calder Cannons/Aberfeldie
AFL Profile: Lightly framed ruckman/key defender who can win the ball in the air and at ground level. Very agile player who is gifted athletically and makes good decisions with the football. Is an accurate shot for goal when he goes forward. Played mainly as a key defender in 2012 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships where he’s still developing his game. Dangerous as a tall forward. Graduate of the AIS-AFL Academy.
NAB AFL Combine Results: Nathan Buckley Kicking Test - Ranked equal 14th (26/30)
X-factor: “His agility for a 203cm (6’8”) is rare, which allows him to win ground balls to compliment his overhead marking.”
Tim Membrey
Position: Medium Forward
Height: 189 cm
Weight: 88 kg
DOB: 25/05/94
Club: Gippsland Power/Traralgon
AFL Profile: Powerful medium forward with extremely strong hands on the lead and a long, accurate kick for goal. Has the ability to keep his feet and rarely fumbles, showing clean hands below the knees as well as overhead. Showed his best form at Etihad Stadium in Round 5 against SA, kicking four goals after injury hampered him in the earlier rounds. Kicked eight goals in the TAC Cup preliminary final in a best on ground performance. AIS-AFL Academy Graduate.
NAB AFL Combine Results: 20m Sprint - 3.00 secs, Beep Test - 13.1
X-factor: “His pin point accurate kicking both at goal, even outside 50m and his field kicking is a rare ability. Kicked 54 goals, 25 behinds this year as proof of his special talent.”
Troy Menzel
Position: Medium Forward
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 78 kg
DOB: 22/09/94
Club: Central Districts/Golden Grove
AFL Profile: Left-footed medium forward with exceptional goal sense both on the run and with set shots. Kicked nine goals vs Tasmania and six goals vs NT in sensational fashion in first two games of the 2012 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships before a groin injury interrupted his season. He starred for the
Australian U18 team on the European tour earlier this year. Brother of Geelong Cats’ Daniel and member of the AIS-AFL Academy.
NAB AFL Combine Results: Didn’t test due to recent knee injury however has previously tested with the AIS-AFL Academy. 20m Sprint - 3.07 secs, Agility - 8.36 secs
X-factor: “His vision and awareness are elite, which helps him win the ball and make quick accurate decisions with his disposal.”
Tim O’Brien
Position: Tall Forward
Height: 193 cm
Weight: 80 kg
DOB: 23/03/94
Club: Glenelg/West Gambier
AFL Profile: Tall quick moving forward whose strength is his overhead marking. Averaged five marks and 2.2 goals per game in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships and is a reliable set shot for goal. His six goals against Tasmania in Round 1 was the highlight.
NAB AFL Combine Results: Agility Test - 8.30secs (Top 2%), 20m Sprint - 2.94 secs
X-factor: “Speed off the mark, natural leap and agility are rare for a player of his size. Has lots of upside.”
Jonathan O’Rourke
Position: Medium Midfielder
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 73 kg
DOB: 21/04/94
Club: Calder Cannons/Gisborne Rookies
AFL Profile: Medium midfielder who is a prolific ball winner and smart user of the ball. Runs all day and makes good decisions with the football in heavy traffic. Has good game sense and an excellent mix of speed and endurance. Classy type who averaged 18.5 disposals at 77% efficiency for Vic Metro in
the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships and was rewarded with All Australian honours. AIS-AFL Academy Graduate.
NAB AFL Combine Results: Beep Test - 14.3, 20m Sprint - 2.97 secs
X-factor: “His use of the ball by both hand and foot is elite. Has a real touch of class.”
Lachie Plowman
Position: Tall Defender
Height: 192 cm
Weight: 84 kg
DOB: 11/09/94
Club: Calder Cannons/Macedon
AFL Profile: Tall defender with terrific ability to win the contested ball in the air and at ground level. Poised with the ball in his hands and makes smart decisions. Was in great form early in the year with the Australian U18 team and Calder before injury ruled him out of the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. Made a strong return in the latter stages of the season with Cannons and was among their best against Oakleigh with 17 disposals and six marks. AIS-AFL Academy Graduate.
NAB AFL Combine Results: Running Vertical Jump Left - 85cm (Top 15%), 3km - 10mins 47secs
X-factor: “His composure as a tall defender is superb. Never appears flustered and makes excellent decisions with and without the ball.”
