SA Draft Combine: Father-son, academy prospects set to test

A Port Adelaide next generation academy player of Papua New Guinean heritage will be among the SA prospects to test at this year’s State Combine. See the full list here.

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.

Rome Burgoyne. Picture: Cory Sutton

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.

Benny Barrett. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

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.

Crows father-son prospect Tyler Welsh. Picture: Peter Argent

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.

Louie Montgomery. Picture: Cory Sutton

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.

Originally published as SA Draft Combine: Father-son, academy prospects set to test