He won a VFL premiership as a 16-year-old and is a top-5 fancy come November. Leonardo Lombard is so good he could have an AFL Draft rule named after him.
Lombard is a Gold Coast Northern Academy product, and is destined to land at the Suns. In 2020, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was bid on at pick one by the Crows, leading to the AFL tightening access to Next Generation Academy players including Mac Andrew (Melbourne) and Lance Collard (West Coast).
Now, the Northern Academies are in the firing line, and Lombard's soaring draft stock could fast track restrictions into 2025. Lombard's rise follows four top-30 selections last year in Jed Walter, Ethan Read, Jake Rogers and Will Graham as the Suns amass a glut of talented youth. Zeke Uwland, the brother of Rising Star nominee Bodhi, also looms as a first-round talent in 2025.
Lombard is a powerful forward half midfielder. His one wood is bursting out the front of contests with top-end speed and driving the ball deep into attack with a penetrating right boot. The Allies star is averaging 27 disposals in his three National Championship games and is leading the country for pressure acts (minimum two games played), showcasing his defensive aptitude.
The 17-year-old kicked the goal of the carnival to date against WA two weeks ago. Lombard collected the ball at halfback and flicked a handball inboard before running on to collect the one-two. With the ball dribbling in front of him and a defender bearing down, he tapped the ball over his opponent's head, latched onto the Sherrin in stride and burnt off a chasing midfielder to kick the goal at full tilt. It was a remarkable play that combined all of Lombard's incredible athleticism, dare and poise.
Gold Coast has another Academy star in potential top-five pick Leonardo Lombard. Took the piss against WA on Sunday with 32 disposals and two goals. Forward-half midfielder with power and class.
— Jasper Chellappah (@Jasperc53) June 4, 2024
2025-eligible Zeke Uwland also looming as a first-rounder. @ESPNAusNZ #AFLDraft pic.twitter.com/2GwLCXaX8W
Jack Viney has turned to his brother Max, a jiu jitsu black belt, for tackling and contested ball work. Along with the likes of Christian Petracca and Tom Mitchell, it's helped the inside midfielders roll the shoulders to evade tackles, plant their feet to ride contact, and spin out of congestion to release handballs. Lombard has that same shoulder roll in his arsenal.
READ: Where Leonardo Lombard ranks in our most recent Power Rankings
Leo has strong hips that allow him to stand up in tackles. He's physically mature and stronger than the rest of the Talent League. It helps with his poise and execution under pressure, embracing contact to pick out targets and bringing a physical edge to his game.
Lombard hasn't just played against kids his age, though. Last year as a 16-year-old he won a VFL Premiership with Gold Coast. Stationed up forward, he kicked a goal from his 10 touches plus laid six tackles on a mammoth stage for a teenager.
To date, Lombard is averaging 25 disposals in the Talent League, 28 disposals in the VFL, and a combined 2.3 goals and score assists for the Allies. It's the type of top-age season that will have Gold Coast scrambling to accumulate draft points and 14 clubs crying out for Northern Academy restrictions.