The AFL Draft National Combine and Victorian State Combines took place across the weekend.
The three-day event held in Melbourne provides recruiters the opportunity to conduct interviews with prospects in between athletic testing
Among the top prospects who didn't test due to injury/illness were Ollie Greeves, Harry Dean, Dyson Sharp and Archie Ludowyke.
Key takeouts
Running machine fires
Sandringham Dragons best and fairest Jack Dalton blitzed the two-kilometre time trial, finishing with a time of 5:53.
It's the eighth-fastest time run at the testing and reflects his remarkable tank which has been on show for the Dragons and Vic Metro since
The endurance complements his remarkable ball-winning, while his improved skill execution across the course of the season has him on track to be selected in the second round.
Dalton also finished equal-eighth in the running vertical jump.
Rare athlete impresses
Oakleigh Chargers star Sam Grlj ran a personal best 5:59 seconds in the two-kilometre time trial, placing him second overall as Dalton proved an ideal pacesetter for the top-10 prospect.
“I was just trying to go sub-6:30 but Jack Dalton pushed me a little bit because I was chasing him the whole time,” Grlj said.
“I didn't think too much of it at the time, but it was a bloody hard run and credit to Jack as well.”
Grlj then ran a 2.926 second 20-metre sprint, placing him ninth and highlighting the flashy speed which has caught the eye on the field in 2025.
Bolter strengthens stocks
Eastern Ranges halfback Oskar Taylor was the star of the National Combine.
The first-round prospect, remarkably, had the first, second, and third quickest 20-metre sprint times, with his best time being 2.823 seconds.
He also came second in the AFL agility test behind teammate Lachy Dovaston, with Taylor's time being 7.840 seconds.
It complements his excellent ball use, which has rocketed him up draft boards throughout 2025 despite missing the Vic Metro squad.
South Australian key defender impresses
Marking defender Blake Thredgold had three top-10 finishes at the AFL Draft National Combine to cap off an excellent late season rise.
The tall backman broke three seconds in all of his 20-metre sprint efforts, with 2.918 seconds his best time.
He also finished sixth in the running vertical jump and 10th in the standing vertical jump to underline a strong athletic profile which complements his aerial prowess.
Top prospects address interstate talk
Top prospects Willem Duursma and Dyson Sharp have both been linked to West Coast Eagles throughout the season.
The Eagles hold pick one and Duursma is viewed by many as the best available talent, while the cellar dwellers could use one of their other top 10 selections on Sharp, given the need to add sturdiness to the midfield brigade.
Both prospects spoke ahead of the AFL Draft National Combine about a potential move.
Duursma has seen AFL/W-listed siblings Xavier and Yasmin start their careers interstate and leant on them throughout the year.
“"I've had a fair bit of experience in Perth. I do like it over there, it's nice,"
"As a country boy, you're gonna move away from home regardless. So, whether that's Perth, Melbourne... I'm pretty happy to go wherever.
"I've spoken to 'Xav' about it. He loved going to Adelaide when he got drafted. Going interstate, it's not really a big thing for us.
"It's also good having my siblings to use them for advice. I'll always talk to them about anything footy-related, and they always give it to me straight."
Sharp, too, indicated he wasn't fazed by a potential move.
“Going to any clubs can provide me with the dream that I've had since I was a kid," Sharp said.
“So, whatever that may be, whoever that may be, I guess we'll jump that hurdle when it comes but at the end of the day, it's probably more likely that I headed interstate, but I've got a great support network at home.
“And we can communicate, not just face to face, but over the phone and from what I've heard from Charlie Nichols (and others) who have (had to move interstate) clubs are really good with helping you stay connected with your family and friends.”
Oh Errol
Five of the leading prospects named Errol Gulden as their favourite AFL player, making the Sydney star the most popular player among the next generation.
Among those were potential top-tenners Zeke Uwland and Josh Lindsay.
“I think his contested and uncontested balances is really good and even his kicking, he's got such good composure, (and is) a really good player,” Lindsay said.
West Coast Eagles Next Generation Academy prospect impresses
Western Australian livewire Tylah Williams showed off his athleticism, finishing second in the 20-metre sprint with a time of 2.892, sixth in the running vertical jump with a leap of 88cm and fourth in the AFL Agility with a time of 7.878 seconds.
The 175cm prospect has averaged 14 disposals as a high-impact player for Swan Districts' WAFL Colts' side in 2025.
Tasmanian shines after overcoming illness
Tasmanian intercept defender Avery Thomas finished in the top 10 for the standing vertical jump, running vertical jump, 20-metre sprint and agility, highlighting his balanced athletic profile.
That testing is attributable to a decathlon background for Thomas, but is particularly impressive given Thomas lost three kilograms last week battling significant illness and nearly did not test.
He is viewed as a second-round prospect, having impressed with his ball-use and ability to fly for both the Allies and Devils.
Sydney Academy athlete shines
First round prospect Max King has shown glimpses of his scary upside throughout 2025 and Sunday's athletic testing proved the Sydney Academy prospect's excellent athletic profile.
King took out the standing vertical jump with a leap of 80cm, five centimetres clear of the next best, while also having top 10 finishes in the 20-metre sprint and running vertical jump.
A bid for King is expected to come in the middle of an elongated first round.
South Australian gains praise
Multiple fellow draft prospects spoken to by Craft of the Draft highlighted the effervescence and character of South Australian Harley Barker across the AFL Draft National Combine.
The Sturt winger did not test after suffering an ACL injury in August, but recruiters are well aware of his speed and agility which he showed off at the under-18s National Championships this year.
Double Blues teammate Thredgold said of Barker: “He's always got the same big smile on his face. He's been supporting all the boys and wants to be around it so you can tell he's very determined and dedicated and very welcoming.”
Ruck impresses at State Combine
Eastern Ranges ruck Marcus Krasnadamskis is continuing to quietly gain traction among AFL clubs as an aggressive basketball convert who is polished with ball in hand.
He tested at the State Combine, which immediately followed the National Combine on Sunday.
The teenager ran the 20-metre sprint in a lightning time of 2.887 seconds which would have placed him second in the AFL National Combine.
He is anticipated to be selected in the second round of the AFL Draft.
