AFL Draft 2023: The prospects who will be testing at national and state combines

There are a number of potential draftees from Geelong who will compete at the draft combine — and some will be out to prove doubters wrong. Here’s who is being tracked.

Prospects from across the Geelong region will be put through their paces with the most talented young guns across the country at the draft combines this weekend.

And some will be out to prove the doubters wrong.

Seven Geelong Falcons - five from the boys program and two from the girls — have been inivted to test at this weekend’s combines, while a Geelong VFL talent will also take part.

However, the boys have just one player who will test at the national draft combine — Geelong West product Angus Hastie — which encompasses the 61 most highly-touted prospects in the pool.

But all it takes is one club to take a liking to a player for them to get drafted.

These are the eight draft prospects for the region who will be pushing their case this weekend.

AFL NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE

Angus Hastie (Geelong West)

A rebounder with strong defensive attributes, Hastie is the standout AFL Draft prospect from the Falcons and the only Geelong product invited to the national combine. The 189cm defender put his line-breaking speed on full display in the preliminary final against the Sandringham Dragons, while also shutting down a dangerous forward in a lockdown role in their previous final. Should test well in the 20m sprint.

Angus Hastie is the most highly-touted Falcons prospect in this year’s draft. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos

STATE COMBINE

Tom Anastasopoulos (Newtown & Chillwell)

Anastasopoulos started the Coates Talent League season with a bang, booting 12 goals in his first five games. The sharpshooter kicked 21.2 for the season for the Falcons with his speed, goal sense and defensive pressure standing out. He also finished the national champs with an impressive two-goal haul. One to watch in the 20m sprint and agility tests.

Michael Rudd (St Mary’s)

Rudd was one of the leading goalkickers at the national championships, kicking seven goals in three games as he proved to be Vic Country’s most dangerous forward. The mobile 192cm forward has his knockers but his mix of elite endurance, high workrate and strong overhead marking resembles Collingwood goalkicker Brody Mihocek. Expect him to impress in the 2km time trial.

Michael Rudd celebrates a goal for Vic Countr. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Patrick Hughes (Torquay)

Hughes was overlooked by Vic Country due to concerns from AFL recruiters. The bullocking midfielder responded emphatically in the back-half of the year, tying for the Morrish Medal as the best-and-fairest in the Coates Talent League. It’s led to the Torquay product being among nine prospects to receive late call-ups to the state combine. Hughes has worked hard on his deficiencies, including his running capacity, and this area will be put under the microscope in the 2km time trial.

Joe Pike (Barwon Heads)

The developing ruckman is another Falcon to push his draft claims with a strong finish to the year. Pike kicked a miraculous goal from the boundary while under heavy pressure in their preliminary final loss, also showcasing his ability to impact around the ground with his overhead marking. He shared the ruck duties for Vic Country and showed some signs of promise.

Joe Pike takes a grab. Picture: Getty Images

Bailey Van De Heuvel (Geelong VFL)

Van De Heuvel has burst onto the scene as a mature-age key defensive option after a strong back-end of the year for Geelong’s VFL side. At 25, the 200cm tall is the oldest player invited to the state combine. He averaged 18.2 disposals, 8.4 marks, 7.8 intercepts and 4.8 intercept marks, impressive with his strong hands overhead and reading of the play. Cats VFL coach Mark Corrigan believes he has significant upside for AFL clubs given his form has come while working as an electrician.

Chloe Adams in action for Vic Country. Picture: Getty Images

AFLW VIC COMBINE

Chloe Adams (Grovedale)

Adams looms as is the Falcons’ top AFLW draft prospect this year. The helmet-headed midfielder, who can also be used across halfback, captained Vic Country and the Falcons this year where she showed off her well-rounded game. She went to another level in the big games, impressing with her decision making and clean ball-use under pressure.

Chantal Mason (St Joseph’s)

Mason is the other Geelong product from the Falcons program invited to test at the Victorian combine. The key forward was one of the leading goalkickers in the Coates Talent League, catching the eye with her aerial presence and her ability to kick goals in a variety of ways.

Originally published as AFL Draft 2023: The prospects who will be testing at national and state combines