Want to know a bit more about our latest crop of draftees? Look no further as we find five things you should know about each exciting new Bomber.

This time we look at emerging ruckman Nick Bryan, who was selected with pick 38 in last Thursday’s NAB AFL Draft.

1. He has one of the best leaps in the draft pool

Standing 202cm tall, Bryan has great athleticism for his height. This was highlighted by his impressive efforts in this year’s NAB AFL Draft Combine.

The new Bomber shared fifth place in the vertical jump (69cm) and seventh in the running vertical jump (85cm) to display one of the many reasons why he is among the country’s leading young rucks.

2. He was the tallest player selected this year

Despite having only just turned 18 years old in late October, Bryan has quickly surpassed the two-metre barrier.

With plenty of growth to come, he was recorded as the tallest player selected, narrowly ahead of new Cat Sam De Koning – who is almost eight months his senior – Saint Jack Bell (nearly nine months older) and 19-year-old Eagle Callum Jamieson.

3. A number of draftees should thank him

Several draftees have reason to be grateful for Bryan's efforts this year after the exciting prospect repeatedly put the football on a platter for his teammates throughout the year.

The first two players selected this year – Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson – played at Bryan’s feet at state level for Vic Metro, with the Oakleigh Chargers in the NAB League and for Australia against the Casey Demons this year.

Bryan competes in the ruck for Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. (Image: AFL Photos)

4. He is following a well-trodden path

There has been no shortage of Oakleigh players selected in recent years, with 17 picked up in just the last two years adding to a long list of distinguished players to have come through the NAB League club. 

The agile tall is also the 17th draftee from Melbourne school St Kevin’s College in the last decade, joining several well-established guns including Greater Western Sydney’s Tim Taranto, Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey, Gold Coast’s Touk Miller and the Western Bulldogs’ Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis among others. 

 

5. He has lined up with Lachlan Johnson before

Bryan’s time at Oakleigh also coincided with the arrival of fellow Essendon draftee Lachlan Johnson, who crossed from the Calder Cannons to become a Charger this year.

The pair played two games together before Johnson’s ACL injury cut his season short and both were particularly impressive against the Cannons in March where Bryan claimed 11 disposals and 24 hitouts and Johnson gathered 27 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 10 tackles and five clearances.

 
 
 
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This news is brought to you by Orchard HRO, the club's official recruitment and list management partner.