Hamish and Georgia are one step from the Draft

The AFL has released the names of the players invited to the 2019 NAB AFL State Draft Combines, with the list including Grafton’s own Hamish Ellem.

The State Draft Combines will be held in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, with Hamish taking part in the Melbourne session across 4 and 5 October. Players are required to have at least two nominations from AFL Clubs to be invited to a State Draft Combine where they will be tested under the watchful eye of AFL club recruiters. Performances at the State Draft Combine heavily influence the views of the recruiters ahead of the NAB AFL Draft so this is a huge step in Hamish’s career.

Hamish last wore the colours of the Grafton Tigers in the 2017 AFL North Coast Under 18 Grand Final where his two late goals sealed a thrilling victory for the Tigers. He moved to Sydney at the start of 2018 where he has played club footy for the Manly Warringah Wolves and has continued his development as a member of the Sydney Swans Academy. In what has already been a big season for Hamish, he has played for the Sydney Swans Reserves in the North East AFL (NEAFL) and was a member of the Allies (the best of New South Wales, the ACT, Queensland, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory) at the Under 18 National Championships.

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan said it was an exciting time for the AFL prospects.

“This is another exciting opportunity for players from right across Australia to showcase their AFL potential ahead of the 2019 NAB AFL Draft,” said Sheehan.

“A number of players who have attended NAB AFL State Combines in past years are currently on AFL lists, including Liam Ryan (West Coast Eagles), Matthew Parker (St Kilda), Bayley Fritsch (Melbourne) and Jack Ross (Richmond).”

Hamish’s invitation follows hot on the heels of the announcement that fellow former Tiger Georgia Breward has been invited to the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft Combine to be held in Melbourne in early October.

Georgia is one of just 45 players invited to the Combine. After undergoing surgery following an ACL injury during the 2018 Under 18 Championships, Georgia’s work with the Gold Coast Suns Academy has seen her invited to test.

AFLW Clubs shortlist their preferred players to attend the Draft Combine with each of the 45 players invited receiving at least one AFLW Club nomination.

The 2019 NAB AFLW Draft Combine will test players’ skills, agility and strength through a series of tests including the 20 metre sprint and vertical jump, along with goal kicking and marking tests.

AFL Head of Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said the Draft Combine is the final chance players will get to showcase their skills before the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft.

“The Draft Combine will see the country’s best young female talent showcase their skills on and off the field in front of AFLW club recruiters,” Ms Livingstone said.

“Following a successful 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships, Club recruiters will get their final chance to assess on-field skills as well as conducting one-on-one interviews with players throughout the week.”