The TAC Cup season may be done and dusted for another year but for its young stars, the hard work has only just begun.
Forty seven players from the TAC Cup’s 12 regions will begin a busy week at Etihad Stadium today as part of the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
Over four long days, the 44 Victorians and three New South Welshman will be measured, tested – both physically and mentally – and endure grueling interviews with AFL recruiters and coaches.
The action was quick to begin this morning with players, grouped in their positions (tall defender, small defender etc.), measured from head to toe.
The height and weight of players will be combined with skinfolds, arm length and handspan measurements to have every player at the combine physically mapped.
Highlights throughout the week include the sprint and agility test on Wednesday, the infamous beep test on Thursday, and the 3km time trial to conclude proceedings on Friday.
AFL Victoria High Performance Manager Leon Harris said it was a week that may well decide the draft prospects of a number of the TAC Cup’s best.
“A good performance in the individual tests has been the difference in the past of some players getting drafted,” Harris said.
“The majority of kids who were invited to the combine will have been training regardless of whether their team was playing finals to ensure they’re at their best this week.”
Players will spend almost all their time throughout the week at Etihad Stadium where they will meet with club recruiters in and around a busy testing schedule.
“It’s a grueling week for all the players,” Harris said.
“It a pressure-packed environment and AFL clubs will be looking to see how individuals handle the week and how they respond in the interviews.”
A further 43 TAC Cup players will face state-based combine testing over the next week, enduring the same tests and scrutiny from AFL recruiters.
Last Modified on 01/10/2013 11:20
