Combine invite lifts AFL hope for Hinds

LAUNCESTON teenager Jake Hinds has become the fourth Tasmanian player to be invited to the AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne in October.

Hinds, 18, was named among the medium defenders released by the AFL yesterday.

The Tassie Mariner will be part of the State Combine, to be conducted at the end of the man Draft Combine, in front of every AFL club recruiter and coach on October 6.

Hinds joined Tiger Hugh Dixon, who is off to the main Combine from October 3-5, and Burnie’s Tom Mundy and Glenorchy’s Harrison Gunther to the State Combine.

“It’s a great opportunity for those boys to be put through their paces in front of the AFL scouts and recruiters,” state high-performance manager Jy Bond said.

Hinds excelled for the Mariners at the national under-18 carnival, as well as for the Allies.

“He’s an elite kick of the ball, and did well in the Allies until he got injured and a ‘corky’ sidelined him for the last game,” Bond said.

“His ball use is what will attract AFL clubs to him.”

Bond has fielded numerous inquiries from AFL clubs regarding Hinds.

“He’s been playing well for Launceston onball over the past few weeks, which highlights another string to his bow,” Bond said.

“I’ve had interest from a couple of AFL clubs around ‘Hindsy’, which is good.”

— JAMES BRESNEHAN