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Hill the Combine star
Bradley Hill, the younger brother of Fremantle midfielder Stephen Hill, has emerged as the standout performer at the 2011 AFL Draft Combine which wound up at Etihad Stadium on Friday.
Hill, who played in the midfield for Western Australia at this year's National Under-18 championships, set a new all-time record of 16.1 for the 'beep test' smashing Jarrad McVeigh's previous mark of 15.5 which had stood since 2002.
He backed that up with a win in the 3km time trial on Friday.
"Chris Judd did a 15.2 as a young man and he's smashed that record," said AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan of Hill's shuttle run.
"He's doing what the very elite AFL players do and there will be even more improvement in him in an AFL environment."
"This will give Brad great confidence that he can follow his brother into the AFL."
A total of 120 potential draftees were put through a range of physical and psychological tests overseen by recruiting staff from all 18 AFL clubs.
"They're here because they can play, that's the starting point," said Sheehan.
"This adds another element to the jigsaw puzzle to see who might end up an elite player in the game, that's what the clubs are after."
Sheehan said he expects around 100 of the youngsters who took part in the Combine to be picked up in November's national draft.
"The clubs are rapt with the depth in this year's draft," said Sheehan.
"The first two rounds (of the draft) into the mid-30s, it's very, very strong."
"After that there's 90 other boys there and there's not too many you would say haven't got a chance of getting through."
"They're an impressive group and I think there's going to be some absolute gems later in the draft for those clubs prepared to give a youngster a chance."
"I think there will be dozens of bolters."
"Some clubs will spend up to five days going over every single player and trying to rank their particular strengths and weaknesses."
Others to distinguish themselves at the Combine included Northern Bullants forward Ahmed Saad who ranked first in both the 20m sprint and the 30m repeat sprint tests.
"I wanted to give myself the best chance (of being drafted)," said Saad who comes from a soccer background.
"I've only been playing (Aussie Rules) for five years so I've still got a lot of improving to do, but I'm willing to take the next step and do whatever it takes."
"Playing with Brock McLean and Ryan Houlihan when they come down from Carlton, the experience and knowledge they give to us is fantastic."
Will Hoskin-Elliott from the Western Jets' was second to Hill in the 'beep test' with 15.12 followed by the Calder Cannons' Tom Sheridan (15.7) and Bendigo Pioneer Sam Kerridge.
Bradley Hill, the younger brother of Fremantle midfielder Stephen Hill, has emerged as the standout performer at the 2011 AFL Draft Combine which wound up at Etihad Stadium on Friday.
Hill, who played in the midfield for Western Australia at this year's National Under-18 championships, set a new all-time record of 16.1 for the 'beep test' smashing Jarrad McVeigh's previous mark of 15.5 which had stood since 2002.
He backed that up with a win in the 3km time trial on Friday.
"Chris Judd did a 15.2 as a young man and he's smashed that record," said AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan of Hill's shuttle run.
"He's doing what the very elite AFL players do and there will be even more improvement in him in an AFL environment."
"This will give Brad great confidence that he can follow his brother into the AFL."
A total of 120 potential draftees were put through a range of physical and psychological tests overseen by recruiting staff from all 18 AFL clubs.
"They're here because they can play, that's the starting point," said Sheehan.
"This adds another element to the jigsaw puzzle to see who might end up an elite player in the game, that's what the clubs are after."
Sheehan said he expects around 100 of the youngsters who took part in the Combine to be picked up in November's national draft.
"The clubs are rapt with the depth in this year's draft," said Sheehan.
"The first two rounds (of the draft) into the mid-30s, it's very, very strong."
"After that there's 90 other boys there and there's not too many you would say haven't got a chance of getting through."
"They're an impressive group and I think there's going to be some absolute gems later in the draft for those clubs prepared to give a youngster a chance."
"I think there will be dozens of bolters."
"Some clubs will spend up to five days going over every single player and trying to rank their particular strengths and weaknesses."
Others to distinguish themselves at the Combine included Northern Bullants forward Ahmed Saad who ranked first in both the 20m sprint and the 30m repeat sprint tests.
"I wanted to give myself the best chance (of being drafted)," said Saad who comes from a soccer background.
"I've only been playing (Aussie Rules) for five years so I've still got a lot of improving to do, but I'm willing to take the next step and do whatever it takes."
"Playing with Brock McLean and Ryan Houlihan when they come down from Carlton, the experience and knowledge they give to us is fantastic."
Will Hoskin-Elliott from the Western Jets' was second to Hill in the 'beep test' with 15.12 followed by the Calder Cannons' Tom Sheridan (15.7) and Bendigo Pioneer Sam Kerridge.
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