The use of player physical and technical skill match activity profiles to predict position in the Australian Football League draft. Issue 4 (16th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woods, Carl T.; Veale, James P.; Collier, Neil; Robertson, Sam
• Is Part Of: Journal of sports sciences. Volume 35:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 325
• Page End: 330
• Publication Date: 2017-02-16
• Subjects: Talent selection -- predictive modelling -- notational analytics -- performance analysis -- recruiting; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2016.1164334
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-0414

Abstract

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.