A Next Generation Academy Magpie stars on the opening night of the 2018 AFL Draft Combine, while a potential father-son selection heads in for surgery.

NGA prospects dominate

Leading Next Generation Academy prospects Isaac Quaynor and Tarryn Thomas have starred on the opening night of testing at the AFL Draft Combine.

Quaynor, who is tied to Collingwood's NGA due to his African background, was the only player to record a perfect score in the goal kicking assessment at Marvel Stadium (Docklands) on Wednesday night.

The rebounding defender converted all five of his shots to stand out above five players – Keidean Coleman, Thomas, Tom McKenzie, Mark Keane and Jack Lukosius – who kicked four and missed one.

Quaynor was named an All-Australian defender after the National Under-18 Championships and shapes one to watch in next month’s draft.



Isaac Quaynor puts in the hard yards during the sprint test at Marvel Stadium on Thursday.

Father-son prospect set for surgery

Will Kelly, the son of 1990 premiership Magpie Craig Kelly, is to undergo keyhole surgery on his ankle, but the key defender is confident it won't impact the start of his pre-season once, as expected, he gets drafted to the club he has supported his entire life.

The Magpies have already expressed their interest in Kelly, the son of 1990 premiership player Craig, confident that he is among the top key defensive prospects in this year's draft pool.

Kelly won't test at this week's Combine because of the injury.

"We've had a few chats and Collingwood has made it clear that they're interested in me. But as of the moment there's not a concrete guarantee that it's going to happen," Kelly told AFL Media.

"So I'm waiting to see what happens at the end of the year and, if I am lucky enough to be drafted, it'll be amazing.

"I've barracked for the Pies my whole life and it would be pretty amazing to be able to stay in Melbourne to be close to my mates and family."

Kelly was disappointed in how he performed for the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup finals, but it turns out he played the final four games of the season – including his side's Grand Final loss to Dandenong – with a stress fracture in in his ankle.

"After surgery I'll be in a moon boot for four weeks and then the next eight weeks from there is just building up to full training load," Kelly said.

"If everything goes well and it recovers really well then hopefully I'll be right to come in day one, if not the first few weeks will be a bit lighter.”

Kelly has improved a lot in the last two seasons, with a "learning year" in his bottom-age TAC Cup season in 2017 setting him up for a consistent campaign in 2018.



Will Kelly represented Vic Metro during the National Under-18 Championships earlier this year.

The 193cm backman said he grew in confidence after his appearances for Vic Metro in this year's AFL Under-18 Championships, where his athleticism and competitive instincts were put on show.

Kelly played largely in a role up forward for his school side Scotch College this year, but can also play in defence.

"This year's championships were huge for me. My first game was pretty disappointing with two disposals, but I reckon after that the second and third game I grew in confidence and that whole series I learned a lot about my ability," Kelly said.

"Naturally I've taken that defensive position more and my best form has definitely been down back."

Father and top player manager Craig has been a valuable resource, but Kelly has also leaned on older brother Jake, who plays at Adelaide, for some advice throughout the year.

Feeling like they were well-stocked for rookie players in 2013, the Magpies overlooked Jake Kelly despite nominating him as a father-son rookie prospect, with the 23-year-old carving out a fine 53-game career with the Crows so far.

"Jake's been really helpful, just showing me the amount of work that it takes to get there and if I am lucky enough to get drafted you've got to prove yourself all over again," Kelly said.

Will Kelly was as disappointed as any Collingwood supporter on Grand Final Day, attending the game with his family. But he admits he revelled in the atmosphere the Magpie army produced at the MCG.

"When you see the supporter base at games you realise what it means to people and it would be amazing to be in that environment," Kelly said.

AFL Draft Combine Results
Kicking test (score out of 30)
Tarryn Thomas 27
Xavier O'Neill 27
Matt McGannon 25
Ely Smith 24
Laithan Vandermeer 23
Jack Lukosius 23
Chayce Jones 22
Noah Answerth 22
Nicholas Baker 22
Xavier O'Halloran 22
James Blanck 22
Riley Grundy 22

Goal kicking test (score out of 30)
Isaac Quaynor 30
Keidean Coleman 25
Tarryn Thomas 25
Tom McKenzie 25
Mark Keane 25
Jack Lukosius 25
Izak Rankine 24
Jordan Morrisey 24
Angus Hanrahan 24