‘The 20 best players': Irish AFL combine return is on the cards

Irish Examiner

5 hours ago

A return for the Australian Football League-run Combine is in the works, with hopes one will take place in Dublin this December.
Pre-covid, the AFL regularly hosted a European Combine in Ireland. Players went through a series of athletic tests as AFL scouts watched on. James Madden (Dublin), Deividas Uosis (Kerry) and Ross McQuillan (Armagh) all made the move Down Under after impressing at the event.
There was a change of tack post-covid. Several kicking sessions took place, but the best prospects travelled to Australia to take part in their official Combine. Ireland U20 rugby international and former Dublin minor David Colbert and Derry's Eoin McEvoy travelled to Melbourne last year. In 2023, four Irish players took part.
Speaking to 3AW's The AFL Irish invasion podcast, Irish AFL recruiter Frank Duffy confirmed the return of a Combine is in development.
'My understanding is the AFL are committed to investing in Ireland and that they will give us the go ahead to run a Combine roughly around the first weekend of December. It is an opportunity for the clubs to come over.
'We are offering the 20 best players in the country for both men and women, we are saying, these are the best. We invite you to come over and you will see them with your own eyes.'
Former Collingwood star and Down All-Star Marty Clarke, who is the head coach at the sessions, said the prospect of Tasmania joining the AFL competition as a 19th team will force clubs to look further afield to find players.
'At the minute, my knowledge of AFL is stronger than it even was when I was a player. I love watching it. I had my time in Australia. If I can help one or two boys or girls to go across, happy days.
'I would love them to experience what I had. I just think clubs are going to have to be smart now with Tasmania coming in, if they do get the licence. They have to find players somewhere else.'
Meanwhile, Geelong executive general manager Andrew Mackie hinted that Mayo's Oisín Mullin is set for a contract extension. Speaking to K Rock after their win over Essendon last weekend, Mackie said a deal is close.
'Really confident with where that is. His manager is on holidays; they all go away this time of the year. Ois will be good. He's a great guy to have around the footy club and as we touched on, he is doing a great job for us.'
He also hailed the recent showings of Kerry's Mark O'Connor.
'I'd agree with career-best (form). His versatility for us has been key for a number of years.'