Ten VFL players invited to test at AFL State Combine
Ten VFL players invited to test at AFL State Combine
EMERGING forwards Bayley Fritsch and Alex Boyse head the list of 10 VFL players invited to the state combine in October.
Casey Demons left-footer Fritsch has booted 28 goals this season and Essendon’s Boyse, the son of former league player Maurice, has 26.
Both were in the state squad for the representative match against the WAFL in May.
Fritsch was among the VFL’s best in a heavy loss and Boyse was an emergency.
Boyse, 191cm and a product of VAFA club St Bernard’s, is one of four VFL Bombers off to the combine.
Speedster Nick Hind, defender James Ferry and ruckman Kieran Strachan were also invited, indicating interest from AFL clubs.
Dons GM Ash Brown said it was an excellent result for the club.
“It’s a great achievement and we’re very proud of all four boys,’’ he said.
“It’s a great reflection of the work they’ve put in individually since the pre-season and have continued on to the point they’ve been recognised by AFL clubs.
“Hopefully it gives them an opportunity to realise their dreams and get on to AFL lists.
“It’s a small part of their football journey but an important one in being seen by AFL clubs and recruiters.’’
Ferry, 22, has been on the VFL scene for four years and played as a key defender for the state team this year.
Brown said he believed there was “plenty of upside’’ to Ferry, who came out of the Calder Cannons.
“If he’s in a full-time program he can dedicate a lot more time to his body and his game and hopefully go to an AFL level.’’
Strachan, 21, is a ruckman from South Bendigo, where he won two best and fairests. He joined Essendon this year.
“He’s a very exciting prospect,’’ Brown said.
“At 203cm there aren’t many players in the VFL or even state league footy in Australia who have his mobility or agility and ability to potentially play key forward.
“He’s got very good hands and he’s super competitive.
“At age 21 he was already captain of South Bendigo. That shows the character and quality of Kieran. He’s a great young person.’’
Box Hill Hawk Sam Switkowski, Collingwood’s Marty ■■■■, Richmond’s Derrick Smith, and Williamstown pair Brett Bewley and Josh Newman also received invitations.
Brown said Boyse, 22, had “AFL qualities’’ and Essendon was “really excited what he can potentially do at the testing day’’.
Hind, like Boyse a second-year VFL Bomber and an emergency for this year’s state team, hails from East Point in Ballarat.
“Similar to Alex, he’s kept rising to a great standard,’’ Brown said of Hind, 22.
“He provides plenty of speed and run and carry, and if AFL clubs are looking for that type of player, someone who can break lines and sort of skip a line of the defence, then Nick’s a pretty exciting prospect like that.’’
Switkowski, Bewley and Newman played for the VFL representative team this year.
Newman, Frankston’s 2016 best and fairest, is the brother of Sydney Swan Nic, who won the VFL’s Fothergill Round Medal in 2014.
Fritsch, Boyse, Switkowski and ■■■■ are the leading contenders for this year’s Fothergill Round.
■■■■, who joined Collingwood from the Bendigo Pioneers last year, has made his mark with his marking.
“He’s gone from strength to strength this year, with his ability to ready the play, aerially and with his pinpoint disposal,’’ Collingwood GM Chris Dixon said of the left-footer.
“No doubt he’s turning some heads. He’s really suited to that third defender role with his intercept marking.
“His judgment of the ball in the air is as good as I’ve seen from a state league player of his age. “He’s certainly had a really good month of footy. He’s had a really good year, to be honest.’’