A look at how the NAB AFL Draft Combine played out this week…
BALL-WINNER Sam Philp has boosted his stocks by claiming top honours in the speed test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
The midfielder, who was overlooked for Vic Metro selection at this year's under-18 carnival, completed the 20-metre sprint in 2.867 seconds on Thursday.
It followed a consistent season for Philp, who has pushed himself into draft contention after averaging 19 disposals in the NAB League this season.
He beat out West Australian rebounder Ben Johnson (2.885 seconds) and Northern Territory talent Malcolm Rosas (2.924 seconds).
Read: Patton nominates the Hawks
Johnson also placed in the top three of the standing vertical jump test, which was won by Vic Metro flyer Miles Bergman (77cm).
Bergman, now considered a top-20 chance on draft night, edged out Brady Rowles (73cm), but Rowles turned the tables in the running vertical jump. Rowles leapt 98cm – just short of the all-time record of 103cm – while Bergman was in second place with 90cm.
Likely top-five selection Hayden Young won the agility test as the only player who broke the eight-second barrier.
The Dandenong Stingrays half-back completed the test in 7.940 seconds, ahead of West Australian forward Elijah Taylor (8.005 seconds) and Victorian midfielder Thomson Dow (8.061 seconds).
A pair of Vic Country midfielders shared top billing in the Yo-Yo running test. The aerobic measure saw Jay Rantall and Cooper Stephens both reach level 21.8, with Gold Coast Academy prospect behind them at 21.6.
Rantall, a former high level basketballer at junior level, performed consistently this year as a midfielder for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels, while for Stephens it was an important showing having missed all of the season after his broken leg in April.
Some clubs view Stephens as a top-25 player in this year's crop despite the contested midfielder's long absence through injury.
Hawthorn father-son prospect Finn McGuinness also impressed throughout the testing, registering top 10 placings in both the 20m sprint and the Yo-Yo test.
Read: Out: Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis. In: ?
NAB AFL Draft Combine results day three
Vertical jump (cm)
Miles Bergman 77
Brady Rowles 73
Ben Johnson 70
Daniel Mott 70
Cody Weightman 69
Sam Flanders 69
Lachlan Williams 69
Sam Philp 69
Nick Bryan 69
Combine record: Jordan Gallucci (89cm, 2016), Aiden Bonar (89cm, 2017)
Agility (seconds)
Hayden Young 7.940
Elijah Taylor 8.005
Thomson Dow 8.061
Trent Rivers 8.100
Oisin Gallen 8.197
Chad Warner 8.203
Sam Flanders 8.206
Noah Cumberland 8.208
Connor Budarick 8.242
Dylan Stephens 8.245
Combine record: Stephen Hill (7.77 seconds, 2008)
20m sprint (seconds)
Sam Philp 2.867
Ben Johnson 2.885
Malcolm Rosas 2.924
Mitch Georgiades 2.925
Noah Cumberland 2.931
Finn Maginness 2.957
Harrison Jones 2.963
Jeremy Sharp 2.966
Brady Rowles 2.968
Dylan Stephens 2.972
Combine record: Joel Wilkinson (2.75 seconds, 2010)
Running vertical jump (cm)
Brady Rowles 98
Miles Bergman 90
Sam Flanders 88
Cian McBride 87
Lachlan Williams 86
Hugo Ralphsmith 86
Jaxon Prior 85
Nick Bryan 85
Oscar Lewis 83
Kysaiah Pickett 83
Cody Weightman 83
Will Day 83
Brady Rowles 83
Cooper Stephens 83
Harrison Jones 83
Combine record: Kyron Hayden (103cm, 2017)
Yo-Yo test (level)
Jay Rantall 21.8
Cooper Stephens 21.8
Connor Budarick 21.6
Chad Warner 21.6
Oscar Lewis 21.5
Sam Philp 21.5
Lachlan Ash 21.4
Harrison Jones 21.4
Finn Maginness 21.4
Trey Ruscoe 21.4
Riley Baldi 21.3
Sam Flanders 21.3
Matt Rowell 21.3
Jeremy Sharp 21.3
Combine record: Andrew Brayshaw (level 22.4, 2017)
