Morningside player Jordan Bourke has received received an invitation from the AFL to attend the NAB AFL Draft Combine in October as part of the Tall forwards group.
Jordan is exceptionally strong overhead and a reliable shot for goal and reads the ball well in the air.
The AIS-AFL Academy graduate is the son of former Geelong Cats ruckman Damien Bourke and is eligible for the Cats under the father/son rule or the Gold Coast Suns as a zone selection.
He averaged 12.4 disposals and 4.2 marks for Queensland in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships showing his overall potential.
The NAB AFL Draft Combine, involving 120 players at National Level, will be held at Etihad Stadium from October 2-5, with state Draft Combines to be held in Melbourne (October 6), Adelaide (October 13) and Perth (October 14).
The Tall Forwards group comprises 30 players who play predominantly forward roles and includes one All-Australian in Jesse Hogan from the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships who is only available for the mini-draft in October and five players who are members or graduates of the AIS-AFL Academy.
“The Tall Forwards are still arguably the most influential players in the game and often the hardest to identify early when eligible. Fremantle champion Matthew Pavlich was overlooked by all AFL clubs as a 17 year-old in 1998 before Fremantle selected him at choice number four in 1999.” said AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan.
In all, over 200 players have been invited to test at the NAB AFL Draft Combines with other positioned groups to be released as follows:
18 September – Ruckmen
25 September – International Players
