Kevin Sheehan’s 2024 Telstra AFL Draft top prospects: Small and Medium Defenders

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has released profiles on the top small and medium defenders in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft pool.

The 2024 Telstra AFL Draft will be held on Wednesday, November 20 and Thursday, November 21, with the 2024 Telstra AFL Rookie Draft held on Friday, November 22.

Sheehan’s player profiles will be released in positional groups each week ahead of the Draft (AFL Draft Hub).

Below are the top WA small and medium defenders:

National Draft Combine

Jaxon Artemis
State: Western Australia
State League Club: South Fremantle
Date of Birth: 07/02/2006
Height: 181cm

Artemis is an athletic medium defender who is well-balanced and has the ability to set the game up with precise kicking from defence. He was a model of consistency at the Marsh AFL National Championships for Western Australia, averaging 16 disposals at 76 per cent efficiency and five rebound 50s. Artemis was among his team’s best players against Victoria Metro and Victoria Country and was rewarded with his team’s MVP award. His speed was impressive at the Telstra AFL Draft Combine, posting a time of 2.96 seconds for the 20m sprint which was ranked seventh overall.

State Draft Combine

Loch Mactaggart
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Perth
Date of Birth: 27/08/2006
Height: 184cm

Mactaggart is a medium defender whose explosive pace was a standout when representing Western Australia in three matches at the National Championships, where he averaged 18 disposals. He also displayed a competitive and aggressive mindset and showed he could lock down on an opponent. Mactaggart was his state’s best player against Victoria Country when he picked up 20 disposals, six rebound 50s and four tackles. He averaged 16 disposals in eight club under-18s matches sharing his season between Scotch College and Perth colts. Mactaggart impressed in testing at the state Draft Combine in Perth with both his agility (8.09 seconds) and running vertical jump (89cm) among the best performances across the state Draft Combine group.