title: The use of player physical and technical skill match activity profiles to predict position in the Australian Football League draft.
abstract: This study investigated the extent to which position in the Australian Football League (AFL) national draft is associated with individual game performance metrics. Physical/technical skill performance metrics were collated from all participants in the 2014 national under 18 (U18) championships (18 games) drafted into the AFL (n = 65; 17.8 ± 0.5 y); 232 observations. Players were subdivided into draft position (ranked 1-65) and then draft round (1-4). Here, earlier draft selection (i.e., closer to 1) reflects a more desirable player. Microtechnology and a commercial provider facilitated the quantification of individual game performance metrics (n = 16). Linear mixed models were fitted to data, modelling the extent to which draft position was associated with these metrics. Draft position in the first/second round was negatively associated with "contested possessions" and "contested marks", respectively. Physical performance metrics were positively associated with draft position in these rounds. Correlations weakened for the third/fourth rounds. Contested possessions/marks were associated with an earlier draft selection. Physical performance metrics were associated with a later draft selection. Recruiters change the type of U18 player they draft as the selection pool reduces. juniors with contested skill appear prioritised.
authors.affiliation: a Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science , James Cook University , Townsville , Queensland , Australia.
authors.forename: Carl T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.affiliation: b Australian Football League , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Veale
authors.affiliation: c Faculty of Sustainability , Leuphana University, Luneburg , Germany.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.affiliation: d Institute of Sport, Exercise & Active Living , Victoria University , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001076:Aptitude; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance; D001315:Australia; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005538:Football; D006801:Humans; D010560:Personnel Selection; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012420:Running; D012916:Soccer
keywords: Talent selection; notational analytics; performance analysis; predictive modelling; recruiting