WAFL players in AFL spotlight at Draft CombineThursday, October 8, 2015 - 10:15 AM

Eight of the West Australian Football League's top players will be tested at the AFL National Draft Combine in Melbourne, starting today and concluding on Sunday, October 11.

The players will undertake testing and interviews including fitness assessments, psychomotor testing, medical screening and skills tests. To attend the NAB AFL National Draft Combine, players must be nominated by at least five AFL clubs.

Another 23 WAFL players will then be tested at the WA State Combine on Saturday, October 17 at HBF Arena, Joondalup. State Draft Combines will also be held in Melbourne and Adelaide for players nominated by up to four AFL clubs.

Approximately 20% of AFL draftees over the last three years have come from the WAFL, which has one of the highest draft rates per-capita with a 10-year average of 14.27 AFL draftees per 1000 participants (2004-14) – above the industry average of 11.16.

WA also has three of the top 10 regions for producing AFL talent based on participation numbers; The Midwest (4th), East Fremantle (5th) and Great Southern (7th) during that period.

WA also recently celebrated the top three in the 2015 NAB AFL Rising Star Award – Jesse Hogan (Claremont), Patrick Cripps (East Fremantle) and Dom Sheed (Subiaco.)

The WAFL via its nine districts, engages talented players from the age of 13 and has approximately 1500 players involved in talent programs every season, providing a sequential talent pathway for 14s, 15s, 16s and 18s through to Colts.

The WAFL talent academy also helps develop outstanding players, coaches and support staff for the WAFL competition and the AFL system. Some of these have recently included AFL draftees David Swallow, Stephen Coniglio, Jaeger O’Meara, Jack Martin, Jesse Hogan, Cameron McCarthy and Mitch Duncan.

2015 NATIONAL COMBINE - Melbourne

2015 STATE COMBINE - Perth