Gold Coast Suns academy player Connor Budarick named to attend AFL draft combine
Gold Coast academy player Connor Budarick is among the first group of players named to attend the 2019 AFL draft combine.
GOLD Coast academy player Connor Budarick is among the first group of players named to attend the 2019 AFL draft combine.
The under-18 All-Australian is one of 12 small forwards, midfielders or defenders set to take part in the combine in Melbourne, to be held between October 1 and 4.
The 18-year-old Labrador Tigers product captained the Suns to an academy series win this year before starring for the Allies in the under-18 national championships.
The 175cm talent is expected to be taken by the Suns in November’s draft.
See the list of the 12 small players here.
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Connor Budarick Gold Coast Suns Academy/Labrador
175cm 72kg 06/04/2001
Small defender/midfielder who provides an exciting combination of speed and endurance for his team and, with his skill set, can play multiple roles for his team. Had an outstanding 2019 NAB AFL Academy series in the lead up to Allies selection. Strong performer for the Allies averaging 15.5 disposals and 9.5 tackles to earn 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian honours, also winning the Hunter Harrison Medal as the competitions best and fairest player. Part of the Gold Coast SUNS Academy and eligible for selection this year.
Riley Baldi Gippsland Power/Moe/Lowanna College
178cm 74kg 20/02/2001
Clever and creative small midfielder who reads the game exceptionally well and uses the ball with precision. Can also play a lock down role and then push forward to impact the scoreboard. Averaged 19 disposals (14 uncontested) at 77 per cent efficiency, 6.2 tackles and 3.2 clearances to be among Vic Country’s better players in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Trent Bianco Oakleigh Chargers/Doncaster/Marcellin College
178cm 70kg 20/01/2001
Small midfielder/defender who is a creative playmaker with elite decision making and execution by both hand and foot on both sides of his body. Prolific ball winner who averages 26.9 disposals in the NAB League and was a consistent performer for Vic Metro in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships averaging 18.5 disposals at 74 per cent efficiency and 3.5 tackles.
Ned Cahill Dandenong Stingrays/Mt Eliza/Papua College
178cm 77kg 11/01/2001
Crafty and clever small forward with innate goal sense and footy nous. Wins his own ball and applies strong pressure inside 50. Averages 19 disposals and has kicked 14 goals in nine matches for the Dandenong Stingrays in the NAB League. Averaged 12.2 disposal, 3.8 tackles and 1.5 goals in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for Vic Country.
Riley Garcia Swan Districts/Caversham
175cm 68kg 30/01/2001
Prolific ball winning small midfielder who runs hard both ways, is a hard nut and a star at stoppages. Averaged 20 disposals (9.2 contested), five clearances and 3.5 tackles despite being injured early with ACL in the deciding match of 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships between Western Australia and Vic Country. Plays with real zest and enthusiasm with his tough, physical approach setting an excellent standard for his team.
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Liam Henry Claremont/Christ Church Grammar
179cm 67kg 28/08/2001
Indigenous small forward/midfielder whose speed and elusiveness are at the elite level. A difficult player to contain in tight situations. He was outstanding in the decider against Vic Country, winning best-on-ground honours after he accumulated 25 possessions. Averaged 17.5 disposals and four tackles across the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships to earn NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian honours. Eligible for Fremantle Dockers under Next Generation Academy rules.
Jack Mahony Sandringham Dragons/St Kevins College
176cm 70kg 12/11/2001
Small forward/midfielder who uses his decision making and footy smarts to set up opportunities for his team around the goals. Excels at stoppages and provides strong on-field leadership. A very consistent performer for Vic Metro, he averaged 18 disposals at 72 per cent efficiency, 2.8 clearances and 3.5 tackles across the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Kysaiah Pickett Woodville-West Torrens/Prince Alfred College
170cm 67kg 02/06/2001
Strong, aggressive and powerful small forward/midfielder with exciting speed and natural goal
sense. Special in the air, particularly one-on-one, and provides good forward pressure inside 50. Already debuted at senior level in the SANFL ad represented South Australia in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships averaging 13.7 averaging, three marks and 2.7 tackles. Nephew of former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide star Byron Pickett.
Matthew Rowell Oakleigh Chargers/Booroondara Hawks/Carey Grammar
178cm 74kg 01/07/2001
Small midfielder who is a massive accumulator of the ball using his relentless attack, clean hands and courage to win possession. A playmaker with great vision and game sense, he has been an ultraconsistent performer in his underaged career which includes best-on-ground honours in the 2018 NAB League Grand Final and AFL Futures match on AFL Grand final day last year. Represented Australia at Under-18 level against the VFL’s Casey Demons at the MCG earlier this year and is now adual NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian after earning the honours in 2019 off the back of a strong 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships where he averaged 24.8 disposals, 5.2 clearances and six tackles.
Malcolm Rosas Jnr NT Thunder/Darwin
175cm 74kg 26/06/2001
Left footed small forward/midfielder with an exciting burst of speed and is very clever around goals. Not afraid to take the game on and breaks through lines when in midfield, he had some spectacular passages of play with the Allies in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year. Represented Australia at Under-18 level against the VFL’s Casey Demons earlier this year.
Caleb Serong Gippsland Power/Warragul/Geelong Grammar
178cm 83kg 09/02/2001
Prolific ball winning small midfielder/forward with his one-touch marking overhead and clean hands at ground level features of his game. A powerful athlete with a penetrating kick, he has been outstanding over the last two years in representative matches using his tough, physical approach to win possession. Averaged 23.5 disposals, 5.5 marks, 5.2 clearances and 8.5 tackles to win Vic Country’s MVP this year as well as NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian honours.
Cody Weightman Dandenong Stingrays/Beaconsfield/Haileybury College
177cm 73kg 15/01/2001
Small forward who presents well, using his anticipation and strength with his overhead marking to be a lively target. Very good one-on-one player who can turn his opponent inside out he has innate goal sense, kicking four goals against both the Allies and South Australia this year in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships earning 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian honours. Averaged 16 disposals and 1.8 goals in four games in the NAB League this year.
