2022 NAB AFL Draft Combine Results

By ZAC MILBANK

Woodville-West Torrens’ Mattaes Phillipou has underlined his exciting athleticism with the release of the top South Australian results from the 2022 NAB AFL Draft Combine.

Tipped to be the first Croweater selected in this year’s AFL National Draft, Phillipou was the only SA player to break the three-second barrier in the 20m sprint with a time of 2.993 while also finishing in the top five in four of the five test categories.

The long-kicking left-footer registered the highest leap of 83cm in the Running Vertical Jump with his right hand while placing second with 87cm behind South’s Will Verrall with his left hand.

Phillipou, the son of former Eagles and Port Adelaide forward Sam Phillipou, also displayed his endurance by finishing third among SANFL prospects for the 2km time trial with a time of 6:25.

He was third behind Norwood’s Max Michalanney in the Agility Test, with the Redlegs defender recording a time of 8.36 seconds while also finishing inside the top five Croweaters for the 2km Time Trial, 20m sprint and two of the three Vertical Jump tests.

Verrall was equal third at the National Combine with his impressive leap of 90cm in the Running Vertical Leap with his left hand.

Glenelg half-back Jakob Ryan caught the eye with his running versatility, placing first in the 2km Time Trial (6:16) while just being pipped by Phillipou in the 20m Sprint after registering 3.01 seconds.

Ryan was also fourth in the Agility Test with a time of 8.566 seconds as North midfielder Billy Dowling appeared in the top five of all three jump tests together with a second placing in the 2km Time Trial.