SA Draft Combine: Father-son, academy prospects put to test
Three draft hopefuls would love to make their way to SA-based clubs as father-sons in November. The trio were among those to participate in Saturday’s draft combine - see the results here.
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Three South Australian AFL hopefuls would love to follow in family footsteps by playing for their dad’s former clubs.
Tyler Welsh, Rome Burgoyne and Louie Montgomery are father-son prospects in next month’s national draft.
Adelaide can match rival bids on Welsh, the son of three-time leading goalkicker Scott Welsh, while the Power can do the same with Burgoyne and Montgomery, whose dads are 2004 premiership duo Peter Burgoyne and Brett Montgomery.
The 18-year-olds were among 15 boys and nine girls whom recruiters assessed at the South Australian state combine on Saturday.
While the trio would be excited to join any club, being selected where their dads starred would be extra special.
“It’d mean the world to me,” Tyler, a 191cm forward, said.
“That’s my dream, to follow in my dad’s footsteps.
“Nothing’s guaranteed at the moment and I’ll be happy to get an opportunity anywhere.”
Welsh switched from Woodville-West Torrens to play SANFL for Adelaide this year and kicked 10 goals from 10 games.
Training alongside the likes of star forwards Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty was “an amazing experience”.
“The first couple of SANFL games I struggled a bit versus the big bodies ... but the team got around me through that and in the second half of the year I played some consistent footy,” Welsh said.
“Going to the club every day teaches you so many new things, especially working with the more experienced players.”
Welsh impressed in the 20m sprint, recording a best time of 3.06sec, and vertical jump, placing third with a 60cm leap, but struggled in the 2km time trial, finishing last.
“I wish I could have gone better in the testing,” he said.
“The 2km wasn’t my best, but it is what it is.”
The 18-year-old said his marking and goalkicking were similar to his dad, who booted 270 majors from 129 games for the Crows from 2000-2007, as well as won a flag with North Melbourne in 1999.
“He just says whenever you run out, grit your teeth, crash packs, go up for marks, lay tackles,” the younger Welsh said.
Rome, a half-back flanker at Woodville-West Torrens, would be following not only his father, but older brothers Trent and Jase, and uncle Shaun if he landed at the Power.
Peter played 240 matches from 1997-2009, including in the 2004 premiership with Shaun.
Trent was delisted in 2021 after two seasons without an AFL game.
Jase had a breakout 2024 campaign and received the Power’s most improved award last week.
“Playing for Port would be a dream come true, alongside Jase,” said Rome, who featured three times for the Magpies in the SANFL this year.
“We’ve had a few chats about it and what it would be like.”
Montgomery did not test on Saturday due to a hamstring injury.
The North Adelaide utility said his dad encouraged him to “work hard, show everything you’ve got and be the best person you can be”.
“It’d be great to be father-son but any club would be amazing,” the younger Montgomery said.
“I think I’ve done enough to get onto a list so hopefully it works out.”
Talent guru Kevin Sheehan described Welsh as an exciting player “very much like dad”.
Sheehan said Burgoyne “looked the part” on Saturday and had a wonderful back half of the season, including performing strongly in the under-18 grand final.
The league’s talent ambassador praised Montgomery’s power, which was “a bit like dad too”.
EARLIER: SA COMBINE PREVIEW
Sons of two Port Adelaide premiership players and an ex-Crows sharpshooter headline the draft prospects that AFL recruiters will scrutinise at the South Australian state combine.
Rome Burgoyne (son of Peter Burgoyne), Louie Montgomery (Brett Montgomery) and Tyler Welsh (Scott Welsh) are among 15 boys set to take part on Saturday.
The Power and Crows can match rivals’ bids on the father-son prospects in next month’s draft, when recruiters expect the three 18-year-olds to be late picks or rookie selections.
Burgoyne, a halfback/midfielder and the brother of Power wingman Jase Burgoyne, split his time between Woodville-West Torrens (10 matches), Port Adelaide’s SANFL side (three games) and Prince Alfred College this year.
Montgomery, a utility, featured twice for the Magpies at league level, played eight games for North Adelaide’s under-18s and also represented PAC.
Welsh lined up 10 times for the Crows’ reserves in the SANFL after switching from Woodville-West Torrens before this season.
Recruiters liked Burgoyne’s ability to read the game and his skilfulness, Montgomery’s footy smarts and disposal, along with Welsh’s marking and kicking.
Another combine invitee tied to the Power is South Adelaide speedster Benny Barrett.
Born in Australia to Papua New Guinean parents, Barrett is part of Port Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy and is viewed as a potential small forward at AFL level.
One recruiter expected Barrett’s testing numbers on Saturday could “force clubs to look at him as an option” late in the draft.
The 174cm left-footer was the quickest player at the SANFL’s centre of excellence combine in February, blitzing the 20m sprint in 2.87sec and 5m dash in 0.97sec.
If other teams do not pick Burgoyne, Montgomery, Welsh or Barrett, the AFL clubs they are tied to can automatically add them as rookies.
Like the father-son trio, Glenelg intercept defender Tom McKay also has sporting prowess in his genes.
His mum is former Australian and Adelaide Thunderbirds netballer Sarah Sutter.
“He’s one to watch,” the recruiter said.
Montgomery (hamstring), Bulldogs midfielder/forward Tom Cochrane (foot), on-baller Kade Herbert (hip) will not undertake the physical testing due to injuries.
Cochrane’s dad is ex-North Melbourne and Port Adelaide wingman Stuart Cochrane, but the Central District youngster is not tied to the Kangaroos or Power.
Stuart fell short of the 100-game qualification, playing 54 matches for the Port and 54 for North Melbourne.
Central District forward Tallan Rosenzweig received a late invite last week after his four-goal haul in the under-18 grand final garnered attention.
Among the nine girls being tested on Saturday is South Adelaide mature-age prospect Tiffany King.
King, a 25-year-old key defender, is known for her contested marking.
The combine comprises club interviews, medical screenings, as well as running, jumping and agility tests.
Last week 67 boys and 47 girls from across Australia took part in the national testing in Melbourne after receiving invites from at least five clubs.
Those testing on Saturday have been nominated by three or four.
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