Essendon VFL players Nick Hind, James Ferry, Alex Boyse and Kieran Strachan have been selected to attend the AFL State Combine in October.

Ten players from the VFL competition were selected, with the Bombers the most well represented Club.

“To have four players selected from our VFL program to attend the State Combine is a great achievement for those players and a positive reflection of the program run by our staff and coaching group,” VFL General Manager Ash Brown said.

“We are very proud of the four guys being selected to attend the combine and it is a great reward for the hard work they individually put into developing themselves. 

“We know this is only a small step in their journey hopefully onto an AFL list but it is an important one that they have been nominated by AFL recruiters.”

Alex Boyse is currently fifth in the Frosty Miller Medal, for the most goals kicked in the VFL.

The 21 year old has booted 26 goals from his 13 games this season.

He has proven to be a strong overhead and accurate in front of goal.

“Alex has AFL qualities and attributes that I have no doubt will excite recruiters at the State Combine,” Brown said.

“At 191cm he is a difficult match up with his speed, agility and vertical leap as proven this year averaging more than two goals per game.”

Joining Essendon in the middle of 2016, Hind has quickly developed into a high quality, lightly built wingman.

“Nick works on his game and body very hard during the week.  To be recognised like this after only being in our program for 14 months shows the quick rise Nick has had to become an exciting prospect in the VFL competition,” Brown said.

“AFL clubs would be excited by Nick’s speed and ability to break the lines with run and carry.  He is now a leader within our VFL program and is a very determined and driven footballer.”

Ferry, Hind and Boyse were selected, earlier this season, in the annual State game.

Ferry was the only Don to play in the game and finished with 12 disposals, five marks and a tackle.

“James has now been in our program for four years and people probably overlook the fact he is still 22 years old,” Brown said.

“He was selected this year as a key defender in the VFL State Team and showed he was not out of his depth at that level.

“James’s height, speed and agility allows him to play on a range of opponents which provides our coaching group with great flexibility in giving him the opposition’s most dangerous forward.”

Stachan debuted in round 12 of the VFL, against North Ballarat.

The 202cm ruckman impressed with 15 disposals, eight marks and five tackles, a performance that landed him a spot among the best players.

Strachan spent the first half of the season playing for South Bendigo where he is co-captain.

He has won two consecutive best and fairest awards at the Club.

He is an exciting prospect that can play key forward as well as ruck and his competitiveness and marking ability are great assets of his game.

“Kieran is a very exciting prospect for AFL Recruiters,” Brown said.

“As a 21 year old he was named captain of South Bendigo which shows the character and qualities of Kieran.

“He is very agile and mobile for a ruckman which makes him a serious threat as a key forward as well. 

“For a young ruckman he is very competitive and you always know the standard and level of effort Kieran will give you in training and on game-day.”

The AFL State Combine will take place in early October.