AFL Draft 2014: Star draftees to be assessed by club medicos in second screening

THE AFL will conduct a second medical screening on 10 potential star draftees on Tuesday after Essendon was fined for illegal testing last year.

Calder Cannons draft prospect Jake Lever at his former junior club Romsey, Picture: Paul Loughnan

THE AFL will conduct a second medical screening on 10 potential star draftees on Tuesday after Essendon was fined for illegal testing last year.

The unprecedented move comes as AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan labelled Thursday week’s pool as one of the deepest in years.

He says not since the drafts before the expansion era have all clubs had access to such top-end talent and quality selections later in the pool.

AFL club medicos will assemble to assess players including Calder Cannons talls Peter Wright and Jake Lever and Murray Bushrangers key defender Caleb Marchbank.

Sheehan rates “Two Metre Peter” Wright in his top four players but he missed the TAC Grand Final with a knee injury and he could slide until late in the first round given an inconsistent season.

Peter Wright is rated by some as one of the top four draft prospects of 2014. Picture: Colleen Petch

Jake Lever missed the entire season with a knee reconstruction but is a versatile defender who some have linked with Melbourne as high as pick three.

Vic Country representative Marchbank missed this year’s national championships with a knee injury and is ranked in the top 25 selections despite stress fractures that kept him out for the 2013 season.

Essendon this year admitted to testing potential draftees between the 2013 draft camp and the November national draft, which was illegal under AFL rules.

It was fined $20,000 after coming forward, with the testing this week to give further clarity for clubs desperate to nail their selections.

Last year Collingwood snared Matt Scharenberg at pick No. 6 despite worries over his durability but he required more foot surgery this year.

Caleb Marchbank impressed for the Murray Bushrangers this season. Picture: Colleen Petch

Essendon famously snared Dyson Heppell at pick No. 8 after groin concerns while Joel Selwood’s troublesome knees were a bit factor in him being taken at pick No. 7 in his draft year.

Sheehan said clubs were right to stock up on picks for the 2014 national draft.

“The thing about the draft is the evenness of the total group. We reckon there is nothing between picks 12 and 35,” he said.

“Once you get past the first four or five picks you would be happy to take selections in the 30s and 40s because of the depth of the boys there.

“I am still of the belief there are four outstanding selections and Peter Wright is one of them along with (Christian) Petracca, (Angus) Brayshaw and (Patrick) McCartin, but clubs are bullish.

“One year the Giants had 11 of the first 15 picks but clubs are up and about because they all have access, they all have picks by the time we hit 20.

“They are doing more homework than ever which is why we will have 10 or 12 in for second medicals, clubs want to leave nothing to chance.”

Originally published as AFL Draft 2014: Star draftees to be assessed by club medicos in second screening