Key Developments at 2025 AFL Draft Combine: Injury Concerns, New Testing Tech, and Club Strategies
HEADLINING the weekend’s action at the 2025 telstra AFL Draft Combine were emerging injury concerns amongst several prospects, the introduction of innovative ’force plate’ technology for athletic assessment, and early indications of club draft strategies.
The combine saw nearly 20 players sidelined due to illness or injury, impacting their ability to participate in testing. Dyson Sharp was ruled out on Sunday wiht illness, joining Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves and Ollie Greeves who were previously unable to attend due to sickness. Dylan Patterson (hamstring), Harry Dean (shoulder), Sam Allen, Harley Barker (ACLs), Liam Heatherton (back), and Archie Ludowyke (knee) were among others unable to fully test as they continue recovery from injuries. Jack Ison, Hugo Mikunda, Wes Walley, Taj Murray, Will darcy, Jesse Mellor and Riley Onley also sat out testing.
Alongside the traditional 20m sprint, agility test, vertical jump, and 2km time trial – where Jack Dalton recorded the fastest time of 5:53 minutes, followed by Sam Grlj (5:59) and Louis Emmett (6:07) – clubs trialled ‘force plate’ technology for the first time.The plates, fitted with sensors, measure vertical leap, balance, flight time, and strength/power imbalances between legs, aiming to provide a more advanced and injury-predictive assessment of athletic capabilities. Clubs already utilize the technology and believe it offers a more balanced baseline for evaluating draftees entering professional systems.
The combine also offered insight into potential club strategies. While specific player intentions weren’t detailed, the weekend’s events signal active readiness for the upcoming draft period.
