Nightcliff and Waratah young guns Moniz-Wakefield and Ned Stevens take the first step to the AFL
Territorians Andy Moniz-Wakefield and Ned Stevens have been given their chance in the NAB AFL Draft Combine, taking their first big step towards the AFL.
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NORTHERN Territory products Andy Moniz-Wakefield and Ned Stevens have been nominated to participate in the first intake of the NAB AFL Draft Combine in October.
The 2021 NAB Draft Combine will assess the strength and fitness levels of athletes who have been selected to participate ahead of the Draft later this year
The Cazalys NT Thunder Academy and Allies squad members will join Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland participants in Melbourne on October 9 or will take part in Territory testing depending on Covid testing.
Moniz-Wakefield made his NTFL premier league debut in the 2020-21 season for Nightcliff, who he has played for since under-12s, proving one of the best young Territory talents in the league.
He is also part of the Melbourne Football Club’s Next Generation Academy program.
Stevens has also been playing Territory footy since under-12s playing for both Waratah and Nightcliff before making his premier league debut for Tahs in the 2020-21 season.
He was selected as part of the Gold Coast Suns Next Generation Academy program in 2020 and got his first taste of the VFL in March, 2021.
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The Combine is the final piece in the NAB AFL Rising Star program.
AFLNT talent manager Simon Hargrave was thrilled to see more Territory players selected to take part in the NAB AFL Draft Combine testing.
“For Andy and Ned to be recognised for their efforts and invited to take part in the first intake of the Combine is fantastic,” Hargrave said.
“It will not only be great motivation for our other Cazalys NT Thunder Academy players to aim to secure a spot on the next two Combine lists but also give the next generation of Territory players something to strive for.
“With the initial list coming out today, we look forward to hopefully seeing more Cazaly NT Thunder Academy names being included in this list ahead of the NAB AFL Draft Combine.”
A total of 120 players will participate in the 2021 NAB AFL Draft Combine.
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