THE West Australian Football Commission has appointed Michael Pratt to the role of State 18s Head Coach following an extensive selection process involving a number of high quality candidates.

Pratt, 39, is a product of the WAFL and High Performance coaching pathway, having developed under the guidance of highly regarded mentors such as Craig Starcevich, Rob Wiley, Trevor Williams and Mark Neeld .

Pratt, who has also coached WAFL Colts and been an assistant at WAFL League, State 20s and TAC Cup level, said he was looking forward to working with the most talented young players in Western Australia, as well as developing his own coaching credentials.

“I am super excited about getting involved. It is a great opportunity and I am really looking forward to getting started,” Pratt said.

The Australian Football League has announced Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre as the venue for the 2011 NAB AFL Draft to be held on Thursday 24 November.

NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation, Graham Annesley, welcomed the AFL’s decision to hold the Draft in Western Sydney.

“Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre is a focal point for regional, national and international sport in Western Sydney, offering the AFL the perfect venue to hold its draft next month,” he said.

This year’s event will see over 400 staff, players and management from the 18 AFL clubs head to Sydney for the occasion along with a media contingent expected to number 100 journalists and support crew.

WEST Australian players claimed awards in six different categories at the 2011 NAB AFL National Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

Brad Hill from West Perth set a new beep test record of 16(1) and also took out the 3km run in a time of 9:52. Shannon Taylor (Claremont) was the quickest over the 20m sprint, while Shane Nelson (West Perth) recorded the best score in the Nathan Buckley Kicking Test with an outstanding 29/30.

Eliot Yeo (East Fremantle) recorded the best standing vertical jump of 78cm to equal Nic Naitanui's record and also recorded an overall agility score of 7.80 to be ranked as the most agile player at the NAB AFL National Draft Combine.

WEST Australian players have impressed at the NAB AFL National Draft Combine in Melbourne this week, consistently filling top 10 places in the various tests and setting some new records along the way.

Brad Hill, pictured, from West Perth set a new beep test record of 16(1), while Cam Eardley (East Fremantle) was also impressive with a 15(3).

Shannon Taylor (Claremont), who is being tested by Greater Western Sydney, recorded the equal fastest 20m sprint time of 2.85 seconds, while Shane Nelson (West Perth) recorded a 2.88 and Brad Hill 2.89.

Eliot Yeo (East Fremantle) won the agility with 7.82 seconds on grass, while Shane Nelson recorded the best score in the Nathan Buckley Kicking Test with an outstanding 29/30.

The best speed/endurance combo for a tall player was recorded by Jordan Lockyer (West Perth) with 2.90 and 14(2).

A record 20 WA players will attend the NAB AFL National Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne this week to commence testing from October 4-7.

West Australian Football Commission High Performance Manager Craig Starcevich said this was an excellent result for WA and paid tribute to everyone involved with each player’s development.

“Our WAFL clubs and districts, junior clubs, schools and everyone else who has assisted these players can take great satisfaction knowing they have contributed to their football development and a chance for them to progress to the elite level,” Starcevich said.