AFL Draft 2017: Combine testing begins with skill tests

TESTING has officially kicked off for the 2017 national draft combine, with a young Victorian duo and an academy prospect the early standouts.

Brad Johnson gives instruction prior to Wednesday night’s draft combine testing.

TESTING has officially kicked off for the 2017 national draft combine.

Bendigo midfielder Angus Schumacher and Eastern midfielder Jackson Ross were among the standouts on opening night, with foot skills primarily put to the test on Wednesday evening.

Both scored a perfect 30/30 in the goalkicking test, while each also fell just a point short of a perfect score in the general kicking test later in the evening.

The pair were among four players to record a perfect score in the goalkicking test, with South Australian forward Jordan Houlahan and West Australian forward Ben Miller also doing so.

Highly rated Brisbane academy player Connor Ballenden was the only youngster to notch a perfect score in the kicking test, with the 199cm dual position player catching the eye.

Vic Metro midfielder Jack Higgins, touted as one of the draft’s most talented players and a guaranteed early draft pick, was one of six players to score 29/30 in the kicking test.

The draft combine continues on Thursday, with the country’s best youngsters to complete fitness assessments including sprint and agility tests, as well as vertical leap tests.

GOALKICKING TEST

Jordan Houlahan (30/30)

Angus Schumacher (30/30)

Jackson Ross (30/30)

Ben Miller (30/30)

KICKING TEST

Connor Ballenden (30/30)

Jack Higgins (29/30)

Angus Schumacher (29/30)

Jack Payne (29/30)

Hayden McLean (29/30)

Jackson Ross (29/30)

Ned Reeves (29/30)

Originally published as AFL Draft 2017: Combine testing begins with skill tests