AFL draft combine: Eight Oakleigh Chargers players receive invite to combine

EIGHT Oakleigh Chargers players have been invited to October’s AFL draft combine, including two sons of premiership guns. See who made the list.

WILL Golds and Xavier O’Neill have overcome their Vic Metro snubs to be among eight Oakleigh Chargers players invited to the AFL draft combine.

Kew Rovers junior Golds suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament early last year but made his return in early June before the wingman’s comeback was further hampered by two recent concussions.

MELLIS A SHINING LIGHT FOR RANGES

SON OF PREMIERSHIP PIE ON DRAFT RADAR

ANSWERTH SHINES AT UNDER-18 CHAMPIONSHIPS

Blackburn product O’Neill was cut from Vic Metro’s final squad for the under-18 national championships, but has established himself as an inside midfielder at Warrawee Park.

Xavier O'Neill celebrates a goal. Picture: Robert Prezioso/AFL Media/Getty Images

The two will join Collingwood Next Generation Academy prospect Isaac Quaynor, Magpies father-son Will Kelly, Carlton father-son Ben Silvagni, Oakleigh captain Noah Answerth, first-rounder contender Riley Collier-Dawkins and ball-winner James Rowbottom at October’s national combine.

“The pleasing two for us would be O’Neill and Golds because they were inside the Metro carnival but their form with us has been able to get them a look in (at the combine),” Oakleigh coach Leigh Clarke said.

“There’s a couple that start to drag their tails around when the Metro carnival is on because they are not inside it but it is just some recognition for them and hopefully gives them a good little spur come the end of the season.”

Answerth suffered a season-ending back injury last year but is back on the draft radar after starring at the national championships, showing his versatility in a variety of positions.

Riley Collier-Dawkins gets a handball away. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Silvagni played three games at the national championships and is viewed as a late or rookie selection.

Clarke said Waverley Blues product Collier-Dawkins, listed at 193cm and 88kg, was shaping as a top-20 pick.

“At his height, shape, the way he can move, clubs are looking at his development over the last two, three years would be dropping the ball a little bit (if they didn’t pick him),” Clarke said.

“He’ll continue to develop, he’ll be on a pretty steep upward curve as he has been for the last two years so I’d be pretty shocked if he went outside the top 20.

“He plays as an inside mid who can get on the outside as well … there’s certainly areas there that are surely attractive at the top end of the draft.”