Budarick, Rosas impress at AFL Draft Combine

BALL-WINNER Sam Philp has boosted his stocks by claiming top honours in the speed test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.

The midfielder, who was overlooked for Vic Metro selection at this year's under-18 carnival, completed the 20-metre sprint in 2.867 seconds on Thursday.

It followed a consistent season for Philp, who has pushed himself into draft contention after averaging 19 disposals in the NAB League this season.

He beat out West Australian rebounder Ben Johnson (2.885 seconds) and Northern Territory talent Malcolm Rosas (2.924 seconds).

Johnson also placed in the top three of the standing vertical jump test, which was won by Vic Metro flyer Miles Bergman (77cm).

Bergman, now considered a top-20 chance on draft night, edged out Brady Rowles (73cm), but Rowles turned the tables in the running vertical jump. Rowles leapt 98cm – just short of the all-time record of 103cm – while Bergman was in second place with 90cm. 

Likely top-five selection Hayden Young won the agility test as the only player who broke the eight-second barrier.

The Dandenong Stingrays half-back completed the test in 7.940 seconds, ahead of West Australian forward Elijah Taylor (8.005 seconds) and Victorian midfielder Thomson Dow (8.061 seconds).

A pair of Vic Country midfielders shared top billing in the Yo-Yo running test. The aerobic measure saw Jay Rantall and Cooper Stephens both reach level 21.8, with Gold Coast Academy prospect Connor Budarick behind them at 21.6.

Rantall, a former high level basketballer at junior level, performed consistently this year as a midfielder for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels, while for Stephens it was an important showing having missed all of the season after his broken leg in April. 

Some clubs view Stephens as a top-25 player in this year's crop despite the contested midfielder's long absence through injury.

NAB AFL Draft Combine results day three 

Vertical jump (cm)

Miles Bergman         77
Brady Rowles            73
Ben Johnson             70
Daniel Mott               70
Cody Weightman     69
Sam Flanders            69
Lachlan Williams     69
Sam Philp                  69
Nick Bryan                69

Combine record: Jordan Gallucci (89cm, 2016), Aiden Bonar (89cm, 2017)

Agility (seconds)

Hayden Young          7.940
Elijah Taylor             8.005
Thomson Dow          8.061
Trent Rivers              8.100
Oisin Gallen              8.197
Chad Warner            8.203
Sam Flanders            8.206
Noah Cumberland    8.208
Connor Budarick      8.242
Dylan Stephens        8.245

Combine record: Stephen Hill (7.77 seconds, 2008)

20m sprint (seconds)

Sam Philp           2.867
Ben Johnson        2.885
Malcolm Rosas     2.924
Mitch Georgiades    2.925
Noah Cumberland    2.931
Finn Maginness      2.957
Harrison Jones      2.963
Jeremy Sharp        2.966
Brady Rowles        2.968
Dylan Stephens      2.972

Combine record: Joel Wilkinson (2.75 seconds, 2010)

Running vertical jump (cm)

Brady Rowles            98
Miles Bergman         90
Sam Flanders            88
Cian McBride            87
Lachlan Williams     86
Hugo Ralphsmith     86
Jaxon Prior               85
Nick Bryan                85
Oscar Lewis              83
Kysaiah Pickett        83
Cody Weightman     83
Will Day                  83
Brady Rowles            83
Cooper Stephens      83
Harrison Jones         83 

Combine record: Kyron Hayden (103cm, 2017)

Yo-Yo test (level)

Jay Rantall                21.8 
Cooper Stephens      21.8
Connor Budarick      21.6
Chad Warner            21.6
Oscar Lewis              21.5
Sam Philp                  21.5
Lachlan Ash              21.4
Harrison Jones         21.4
Finn Maginness        21.4
Trey Ruscoe              21.4
Riley Baldi                 21.3
Sam Flanders            21.3
Matt Rowell              21.3
Jeremy Sharp            21.3

Combine record: Andrew Brayshaw (level 22.4, 2017)

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