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WA’s Talent Shine at AFL State Draft CombineMonday, October 14, 2024 - 1:54 PM
AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has thrown his support behind WA’s top draft prospects, stating as many as 12 WA players could be selected by AFL clubs this year.
On Sunday, 14 of WA’s top male and female footballers took part in the Telstra AFL State Draft Combine which included testing for agility, vertical jump, the 20m sprint and the 2km time trial.
Sheehan said there’s a greater depth of talent this year.
“I think the stocks are very, very high, in terms of the likelihood of the top 25 or so being long-term players and some champions of the game,” Sheehan said.
“Certainly, all of the boys that went to Melbourne, there were almost 10 there, and a few from today are going to get their chance.
“You’d be looking at 10 or a dozen (WA players), I think, that will get an AFL opportunity come the end of the year.”
Sheehan commended WA’s talent program which included a summer pre-season program.
“The work that’s been put in will result in a pretty good draft for WA later in the year,” Sheehan said.
“Bo Allen’s right up the top, he tested brilliantly last week amongst the best boys in Australia.
“In fact, in many of the disciplines, he’s in the top five or six athletically, and that backs up his All-Australian form that we’ve seen during the year.
“He was the leader of the pack in terms of captaining the state side under 18 level, and he stood up as a very elite young athlete as well.
“Hamish Davis from over here, best on ground in the Colts grand final after playing half a dozen very good league games at Claremont, really finished his year enormously well.
“Hugh Boxshall is a boy that clubs are interested in, due to his strength, certainly his endurance, he’s a great contested ball winner around stoppage.
“It changes impressions from what you might have thought in July to what you really think now.”
Sheehan highlighted Zippy Fish and Molly O’Hehir who showcased their elite abilities at last week’s AFLW National Draft Combine, solidifying their positions as standout talents in the upcoming draft.
“Zippy Fish is a girl that we saw last weekend nearly break the record for the agility run,” Sheehan said.
“She’s quite elite, she’s a back-to-back All-Australian to an under 18 level, so she can play the game; it’s very exciting to see her come through.
“Molly O’Hehir is another that really appealed with her testing last weekend and was up at elite company.
“We’re wrapped in the way the ladies' game is unfolding to see elite young footballers coming through and testing and having the proof there that they are some of the best athletes that we’ve got in Australia.”