By Nick Creely
Inspirational Dandenong Stingray youngster Aiden Bonar is among five ‘Rays selected to take part in the 2017 AFL Draft Combine.
The 18-year-old has endured the cruel side of football in recent years, with two successive serious knee injuries hindering his impressive development.
But after going through the rigours of rehabilitation once again, Bonar has played just a one match this season among only a couple in the last two years – but that was already enough for recruiters to sit up and take notice of his immense talent.
Fittingly, against Northern Knights just two weeks ago in his return match after almost two years, Bonar kicked the opening goal of the match in a strong five-goal victory.
The playmaker now has the chance to strut his stuff at the combine, which will run from 3 to 6 October 2017 at Etihad Stadium.
Joining the highly rated Stingray will be fellow team-mates Hunter Clark, Oscar Clavarino, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Tom De Koning.
Clavarino – who co-captained Vic Country and co-captains both Dandenong and Haileybury College – is enjoying a brilliant season in defence and was the only Stingray to make the Under-18 All-Australian team at the recent National Carnival.
Clark and Davies-Uniacke – both expected to be taken in the first round of this year’s draft – are naturally gifted midfielders set to light up the AFL in coming years, and both have enjoyed strong individual seasons.
De Koning has been a strong presence up forward and in the ruck for the ‘Rays this year, with his height and agility a strength.
In total, there are 83 youngsters from around the country chosen in the Draft Combine, with 54 of those players coming from both Vic Country and Vic Metro squads.
The combine is set to test the players both physically mentally over the four day event, with AFL recruiters in the stands scrutinizing their every move.
Many skills tests, including the Beep test, clean hands test, 30m repeat sprints and 3km time trial have been scrapped, with AFL clubs being given more allocated time to interview the youngsters and perform medical screenings.
