Three GIANTS Academy young guns have been invited to strut their stuff for AFL recruiters after being invited to the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft Combine and NSW State Combine in October.  

The AFL has announced that 65 players have been invited to this year’s Telstra AFL Draft Combine, with GIANTS Academy duo Cooper Bell and Logan Smith both included in the invitees. 

Selection to attend the national combine was based on nominations provided by all 18 AFL clubs, with Bell and Smith impressing through performances with both the GIANTS Academy and the Allies this season. 

Filled with the best underage talent in the country, the GIANTS pair will take part in the three-day combine held in Melbourne from Friday, October 4 to Sunday, October 6. 

The combine will feature club interviews held at the MCG across the Friday and Saturday before players take part in physical testing at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on the Sunday. 
  
Testing will again include the vertical jump, running vertical jump, 20-metre sprint, agility test and 2km time trial. 
  
Fellow young GIANTS Academy youngster Josaia Delana (pictured above) will also get a chance to show his talent after being selected as one of the first 25 players chosen to attend a Telstra AFL State Draft Combine.  

Three state combines will be held in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia throughout October, with Delana to feature at the Victorian combine which will feature players from ACT, NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria. 

GIANTS Head of Academies Jason Saddington said it is exciting for the trio to be invited to the combine events. 

“All three boys have had fantastic years and it’s great to see them recognised with invite to the combines,” Saddington said. 

“They have all shown across their form for the GIANTS and the Allies that they have some outstanding qualities that can help them reach the elite level.  

“It’s exciting for our program to have three of our boys invited to the combines and we wish them the best of luck in October.”