‘BOAK-LIKE’ MIDFIELDER PUTS HIMSELF IN RUNNING
A MIDFIELDER with “Travis Boak-like” running ability has solidified his standing as one of this year’s top draft prospects after taking out the 2km time trial at the AFL Draft Combine.
Murray Bushrangers midfielder Oliver Hollands, who is the brother of the Gold Coast Suns’ Elijah Hollands, clocked a time of 5min 54sec to finish equal first in the test alongside Bendigo Pioneers product Jason Gillbee at the weekend.
Hollands had finished equal fourth in the Yo-Yo test at the NAB League testing day in March, reaching a level of 21.8.
Recruiters describe Hollands as one of the best two-way runners in this year’s draft pool, with his work rate drawing comparisons to Port Adelaide champion Boak.
“That gut-running and being able to run two ways is something I’ve always driven within myself as a kid,” Hollands said. “I’ve always tried to use that as a weapon in my game, trying to be able to get contest to contest.”
A small midfielder from Western Australia also made a big impression at the combine, smashing a 14-year record in the agility test.
Darcy Jones, who stands just 175cm tall and has drawn comparisons to Western Bulldogs defender Caleb Daniel, clocked 7.70 seconds in the agility test.
The time beat the draft combine record of 7.77, which was set by former Fremantle speedster Stephen Hill in 2008.
Jones also topped the leaderboard in the vertical jump test, leaping 75cm to finish equal first alongside Greater Western Victoria defender James Van Es.
Van Es won the running vertical jump, while WA’s Edward Allan was first in the 20m sprint in 2.81 seconds.
The national draft combine was attended by 68 of the country’s top draft prospects.
Players including Will Ashcroft (knee), Harry Sheezel (hip), Bailey Humphrey (thigh) and George Wardlaw (managed) attended but did not take part in fitness testing.
The AFL national draft will be held across two nights on November 28 and 29, with the pre-season and rookie drafts on November 30.