The next generation of AFL and AFLW players have descended upon Melbourne for the 2017 NAB AFL and AFLW Draft Combines.
With the 2017 NAB AFLW Draft happening on October 18 and the 2017 NAB AFL Draft on November 24 it’s the last chance club recruiters will have to meet their potential recruits and watch them in action.
Four NSW/ACT players will take part in the AFLW Draft Combine beginning on Tuesday, October 3 while five NSW/ACT players including three GIANTS Academy members will undergo testing in the AFL Draft Combine beginning on Wednesday.
NAB AFLW Draft Combine October 3-4
Chloe Arndt (East Coast Eagles)
A forward from Stanhope Gardens in Western Sydney, Ardnt can also run through the midfield and spends time on the wing for the East Coast Eagles in AFL NSW’s Division one team. The 17-year-old kicked nine goals in 11 appearances and frequently featured in the team’s best players. Chloe was part of the NSW/ACT NAB AFLW U18s squad.
Ellie Dalgarno-Fixter (Riverina Lions)
From the small Riverina Town of Coolamon, Dalgarno-Fixter is one of the state’s most promising rucks. Part of the NSW/ACT NAB AFLW U18s squad, Dalgarno-Fixter can also push forward. A promising cricketer, Dalgarno-Fixter has represented ACT/NSW Country at the Under 18s National Championships in 2016.
Nicky Steel (Mosman Swans)
A hard as nails key-position player, Steel completed her finals season of junior football playing at centre half-back or full-back for the Mosman Swans. The 18-year-old grew up supporting Collingwood and has played for NSW/ACT NAB AFLW U18s side.
Haneen Zreika (Auburn Giants)
An 18-year-old midfielder with the Auburn GIANTS, Zreika can also play half-back and half-forward. The youngest of five children Zreika grew up in Greenacre playing rugby league alongside her brothers before being introduced to AFL as a 15-year-old. An excellent runner, Zreika also plays NRL for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the under 18s competition.
NAB AFL Draft Combine, October 3-6
Brendan Myers (Wagga Tigers/GIANTS Academy)
An inside midfielder with clean skills around the contested ball, the Wagga Tigers product is know to be thrown forward thanks to his ability to mark the ball strongly overhead. Myers played in the GIANTS NEAFL side as 17-year-old last year and played six games in 2017. Myers impressed for the Allies at the NAB U18s Championships earlier this year.
Jack Powell (Ainslie/GIANTS Academy)
Part of the GIANTS’ NEAFL Premiership side in 2016, Powell’s development has continued in 2017. Powell is a clever footballer with great hand and foot skills. The Ainslie product can also drift forward with his calmness in congestion a highlight of his game. Part of the Allies’ squad at the NAB U18s Championships.
Nick Shipley (St George/GIANTS Academy)
A 190cm Western Sydney product, Shipley transferred from soccer to AFL when he was 15. He's athletic and can be used in a number of positions – half-back, half-forward and in the midfield. Armed with great endurance and speed, the St. George product has spent some time training with the GIANTS’ senior squad and played nine NEAFL games in 2017. Shipley performed strongly for the Allies in the 2017 NAB U18 Championships.
Charlie Spargo (Murray Bushrangers)*
At 173cm Spargo is small but powerful. The Albury product will be looking to impress after missing most of 2017 after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury he suffered playing for the Allies in the NAB AFL U18s Championship. Quick and nimble, Spargo reads the game well and comes with football pedigree; his father Paul played for North Melbourne and Brisbane during the 1980s and was an assistant coach at Richmond in 2003 and 2004.
Jarrod Brander (Bendigo Pioneers)*
A key position player who can dominate at either end of the ground, Brander is a strong mark and comes equipped with a penetrating kick. Boasting great aerobic capacity, Brander is almost ready-made for AFL measuring in at 194cm and weighing 89kg. The Albury product starred for the Allies in the NAB AFL U18s Championship and was the only NSW player named in the 2017 AFL U18s All Australian team.
*Charles Spargo and Jarrod Brander are ineligible to join the GIANTS through the Academy after recent changes to the club's zone by the AFL
