Double Blue Shane McAdam takes major step towards being drafted with combine invite
STURT sensation Shane McAdam’s draft prospects have been given a major boost with the mature-age prospect invited to this year’s AFL Draft Combine. Find out the other South Australians who will be joining him.
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STURT sensation Shane McAdam’s draft prospects have been given a major boost with the mature-age prospect invited to this year’s AFL Draft Combine.
The 23-year-old forward is one of just two mature-age players asked to test in front of AFL clubs at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium from October 2-5.
The other is VFL forward Josh Corbett, 22, from Werribee.
McAdam — currently sidelined with a hamstring injury — has been a revelation in his first season for the Double Blues this year after crossing from WAFL club Claremont and playing suburban football at Adelaide Footy League club Scotch Old Collegians.
Hailing from the small WA town of Halls Creek which has fewer than 2000 people, McAdam is the nephew of 1989 Central District Magarey Medallist Gilbert McAdam and former Kangaroo Adrian McAdam.
He also is the first cousin of Carlton midfielder Sam Petrevski-Seton.
McAdam, who has kicked 23 goals from 12 games for Sturt this season, is one of 13 SANFL players invited to the combine.
The other 12 are all members of South Australia’s AFL under-18 championship-winning side.
They include potential No. 1 draft pick Jack Lukosius (Woodville-West Torrens), Jackson Hately and Jez McLennan (Central District), Connor Rozee (North Adelaide), Ben Jarvis, Jacob Kennerley and Luke Valente (Norwood), Hayden Sampson and Tom Sparrow (South Adelaide), Riley Grundy and Hugo Munn (Sturt) and Izak Rankine (West Adelaide).
Medium forward McAdam, 185cm, has taken several SANFL mark of the year contenders this year while also being a sharpshooter and frenetic forward line tackler.
He showcased his athleticism at the WA state draft combine in 2015 by equalling star West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui’s running vertical jump record (102cm) and recording 2.89 seconds in the 20m sprint.
Sturt coach Martin Mattner said McAdam’s combination of skills made him a rare talent.
“He’s a very interesting player because there’s not many like him,” he said.
“He’s good in the air, he’s good on the ground, he’s quick, he chases, he pressures, he can take a mark on the lead. He’s got a bit of everything.’’
andrew.capel@news.com.au