Selection: North Ballarat Rebels’ tall forward Michael Close, right, has been selected for the AFL national draft combine.
MICHAEL Close is the latest North Ballarat Rebel to be headed for the AFL national draft combine.
Close has been named among tall forwards nominated for the combine at Etihad Stadium on October 2-5.
The 18-year-old, who stands 195 centimetres tall, is from Harrow-Balmoral in the West Wimmera.
Close has had an injury-interrupted season.
When it counted early, though, he impressed and earned selection for Vic Country in the national under-18 championships.
He played just the one game though before missing the remaining three with injury.
Close, who played nine TAC Cup games last season, has made 10 appearances with the Rebels this year – just three since late May.
His combine nomination profile states: “Has elite endurance for his size (15 plus beep test) and excellent disposals by foot.
“He also has the ability to play as a back-up ruckman.”
Close is one of 13 tall forwards invited to the combine.
About 120 players will be invited with another 80 invited to state combines in Adelaide (October 13), Perth (October 14) and Melbourne (October 6).
Others Rebels invited to combines:
Tall defender: Tanner Smith (Kalkee)
Medium forward: Louis Herbert (South Warrnambool)
Medium defenders: Martin Gleeson (Koroit), Tyler Blake (Horsham)
Medium midfielders: Dom Barry (Northern Territory), Matt Crouch (Beaufort), Jake Lloyd (Horsham), Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
Small forwards: Jake Neade (Northern Territory), Nick Rippon (East Ballarat).
