This article originally appeared on AFL.com.au and does not represent the views of the Port Adelaide Football Club
JYE CALDWELL could go a step further towards cementing his place in the top 10 of this year's NAB AFL Draft when he undergoes a follow-up medical assessment for clubs next week.
The midfielder's season was cut short by several soft-tissue injuries, including two hamstring strains (to different legs).
These saw Caldwell miss all bar one game of Vic Country's under-18 championships games and also sit out testing at the NAB AFL Draft Combine last month.
However, next Wednesday, just over a week before the draft is held at Marvel Stadium on Thursday, November 22-23, club medicos will check over the tough Bendigo Pioneers prospect.
A strong report would further boost his chances of breaking into the early part of the draft despite his injury-impacted season.
He has been linked to Gold Coast's pick No.6, while Port Adelaide, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs are also likely to consider him with their top-10 choices.
Caldwell is an explosive, tough ball-winner who some clubs rate as the second best midfielder in the pool behind potential No.1 pick Sam Walsh.
Caldwell is one of nine players who will undergo further medical tests at AFL House, along with Bailey Smith (Achilles), Thomas Berry (knee), Liam Stocker (shoulder), Zak Butters (shoulder), Jack Bytel (back), Max King (knee), Connor McFadyen (foot) and Will Kelly (ankle), all of whom were unable to test at the Combine due to their injuries.
Smith, Caldwell, Berry, Stocker and Butters will also compete in a 2km time trial in front of recruiters at Collingwood's Holden Centre headquarters, with another three players – James Rowbottom, Angus Hanrahan and Jai Nanscawen – taking part.
Although many of the players will not have the training to perform at their best during the running trials given their injury layoffs, the tests are intended to provide a guide to clubs on the prospects' fitness and aerobic ability.
Outside of Victoria, possible top-20 pick South Australian Luke Valente will complete a time trial after missing the Combine with a knee injury.
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