This article originally appeared on AFL.com.au and does not represent the views of the Port Adelaide Football Club
PORT Adelaide's Next Generation Academy member Kai Pudney enhanced his draft stocks with a stunning performance at the South Australian Combine on Saturday.
Pudney, who is of Japanese heritage, had already won the McCallum-Tomkins Medal as the best player in this year's SANFL under-18s competition after averaging 31 disposals.
The South Australian state representative then clinched his credentials in comfortably winning the Yo-Yo (level 22.1) and agility (7.90sec) tests against other draft hopefuls.
Pudney's agility time was the equal fifth-fastest ever with former Cat and Blue Billie Smedts' 2010 effort – and went close to record-holder and Docker Stephen Hill's 7.77sec.
Coming in behind the Woodville-West Torrens wingman in the Yo-Yo test was Norwood's Isaac Saywell (level 21.6).
Saywell also placed second in the 20m sprint (2.97sec), behind South Adelaide forward-midfielder Jake Tarca (2.96sec).
SANFL talent manager Brenton Phillips said the state screening was "extremely important" to the players' chances of receiving an AFL shot.
"There are great stories that come out of the state Combine – you don't always have to go to the national (one)," Phillips said.
"I think back to 2016 and Willie Rioli was running around at the state Combine and found his way onto the Eagles' list and is a premiership player this year."
Up to 24 players were set to test at Prince Alfred College, but South Adelaide forward Nathan Kreuger (Geelong) and West Adelaide swingman Chris Burgess (Gold Coast) joined AFL clubs in the NAB AFL Trade Period.
They benefited from the pre-draft concession picks given to the Suns and Carlton to help accelerate their climb out of the AFL cellar.
The Blues traded both their picks to other clubs, with the Cats swooping on Kreuger and Adelaide selecting another SANFL star, Sturt's Shane McAdam.
Norwood's Matthew Nunn completing his testing on an earlier day, while North Adelaide's Oscar Chapman (foot stress fracture) was unable to participate.
Phillips is bullish about this year's South Australian draft class, from top to bottom, with up to four local products in the mix to be taken in the top 10.
"I think it's documented as probably the best we've had," he said.
"You don't win national championships by fluke. It means you've actually got some really good players.
"While we've got (Izak) Rankine, (Jack) Lukosius and (Connor) Rozee as your top end, you don't win it because of three players.
"You win it because you've got a team of 24, 25 really talented footballers."
SA DRAFT COMBINE RESULTS
20m sprint
Jake Tarca (South Adelaide) 2.96 seconds
Isaac Saywell (Norwood) 2.97 seconds
Jacob Collins (Norwood) 2.98 seconds
Yo-Yo test
Kai Pudney (Woodville-West Torrens) Level 22.1
Isaac Saywell (Norwood) Level 21.6
Tom Lewis (Sturt) Level 21.4
Agility test
Kai Pudney (Woodville-West Torrens) 7.90 seconds
Boyd Woodcock (North Adelaide) 8.09 seconds
Tom Lewis (Sturt) 8.15 seconds
Job Colwell (South Adelaide) 8.15 seconds
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