Geelong Falcons prospect Xavier Ivisic remains in draft mix despite national combine snub

A talented Geelong Falcons prospect has impressed all season long, but he didn’t receive a national combine invite. However, the unlucky midfielder is still in the mix.

Xavier Ivisic runs the 2km time trial at the state combine. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Geelong Falcons co-captain Lachie Jaques feels his promising teammate Xavier Ivisic was a “bit stiff” to miss out on a national combine testing as the ball-winner remains right in draft contention.

Jaques was the only Geelong product among the 67 prospects to test at the national combine last weekend, with an invite generally indicating at least four clubs have registered interest.

Ivisic, athletic Falcons key forward Dan Lowther and Geelong VFL ruckman Ajang Kuol mun completed testing at the Victorian state combine on Sunday.

Small forward River Stevens, the son of North Melbourne champion Anthony, was also invited to the state screening but didn’t test due to illness.

Ivisic, a 180cm playmaker who found the footy at will this year, was overlooked for national testing despite a strong draft year where he averaged 22 disposals and six score involvements for Vic Country and 25 disposals and six clearances for the Falcons.

But Ivisic was among 10 state combine invitees to undergo medical testing over the weekend, suggesting there are clubs interested in the Bell Park and Geelong Amateur junior.

He went on to run a strong two kilometre time trial time – as did Jaques at the national combine on last Friday in windy conditions with an impressive six minutes and 37 seconds.

Jaques feels Ivisic’s national combine snub would have driven him.

Lachie Jaques ran the 2km time trial in 6mins 37. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I thought his Falcons year was exceptional and his champs were unreal. I thought he was a bit stiff but he showed his wares at state,” Jaques said.

“River Stevens, he has done pretty well. Maybe a bit stiff not to be here too.

“I know Xav pretty well, I think it would have driven him to keep working.

“Obviously he (Ivisic) is there and abouts to get drafted but I’m sure he would’ve loved to be at the national combine. I’m sure he’ll get his name called out draft night, so best of luck to him.

Falcons talent lead Jesse Drever also noted Ivisic’s competitive drive but said he wasn’t impacted by being overlooked.

He said that a national combine invite certainly isn’t the difference between getting drafted or not.

Xavier Ivisic celebrates a goal for Vic Country. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

“While you could have 5-6 who are slightly interested to get to national or you could have three clubs who are really keen on another player and while they are not at national, they are at state,” Drever said.

“Getting to know him, he is just one of those kids that is quietly ultra-competitive. He is not one who is going to necessarily verbally show that competitiveness, but you always know that he has got that inner drive.

“In no way did we see that he took it as any kind of setback, it was just ‘OK, I am going to do everything I can and show what I can do within the state’.

“Boys and girls were coming in multiple times a week working with them on some of the physical preparation and Xav was obviously leading the way in that space there every night doing what he does and what we have seen from him.”

Newtown & Chillwell talent Sara Howley capped her stunning AFLW Draft year with two top-10 finishes at the AFLW Draft combine in the 2km time trial (eighth) and standing vertical jump (10th).

“Her testing result is just further emphasis of where she sits and backs up what everybody sees from a footy perspective as well,” Drever said.

Originally published as Geelong Falcons prospect Xavier Ivisic remains in draft mix despite national combine snub