2021 SA AFL Combine Preview

By ZAC MILBANK

Woodville-West Torrens premiership defender Luke Beecken is one of six additions to the list of South Australians set to test at the NAB AFL Combine in Adelaide on Saturday.

The mature-age backman’s stunning League season with the Eagles has caught the eye of AFL recruiters, ensuring he will have the opportunity to display his impressive aerobic capacity for a second occasion.

Beecken, 20, tested strongly at the State-based AFL Combine in 2019, winning the endurance Yo-Yo Test by reaching Level 21.5 and placing fourth in the Agility Test with a time of 8.09 seconds.

Making his Statewide Super League debut in Round 6, Beecken averaged 15.6 possessions at 94 per cent disposal efficiency while playing 16 matches in succession through to the Grand Final.

Measuring in at 185cm and 74kg, he provided plenty of rebound from the Eagles back half while also drifting forward to kick seven goals for the season.

Norwood’s Alastair Lord, Central’s Isaiah Dudley, North’s Harvey Harrison, Sturt’s Zac Becker and Glenelg’s Oscar Adams have also been added to the original list of Croweaters released in August.

Another exciting 20-year old to put his best foot forward will be Central District interceptor Leek Alleer.

Boasting incredible athleticism, the 196cm Bulldogs defender – who played 11 League games this year – is expected to test strongly in the Standing and Running Vertical Jump tests.

Likely first round draft picks Glenelg’s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (calf) and South’s Arlo Draper (shoulder) will be among nine players unable to test due to injury.

The others include North Adelaide pair Hugh Jackson and James Willis, Sturt’s Will Spain, Glenelg’s Lewis Rayson, South’s Isaac Birt, West’s Oscar Steen and Eagle Jordan Lukac.

SA’s NAB AFL Combine will be held from 9am at the University of SA’s Mawson Lakes campus, where players will have their physical dimensions measured before undertaking 20m sprint, agility and jump tests.

This will be followed by the 2km time trial at the Bridgestone Athletics Centre in Salisbury.