State Combine Duo Impress AFL RecruitersMonday, October 16, 2023 - 12:42 PM

WA teenagers Joe Fonti and Riley Wills have enhanced their NAB AFL Draft prospects with a strong performance at the State Combine testing held in Perth yesterday. 

A Claremont Colts premiership player, Fonti’s athleticism was on display with three top three finishes in testing. 

The defender finished third in the running vertical jump, clocked the best time in the 20m sprint, and came second in the agility test. 

In addition, Fonti was the fifth fastest player in the 2km time trial. 

Wills, a joint winner of the Jack Clarke Medal for the fairest and best player in the WAFL Colts competition, posted a time of 6 minutes 29 seconds for the 2km trial. 

South Fremantle’s Ashton Ferreira was just one second behind Wills with a time of 6 minutes 30. 

Perth’s Oscar Hine Baston clocked 6 minutes 31, Claremont’s Sam Van Rooyen 6 minutes 35, fellow Tiger Joe Fonti recorded 6 minutes 50, Lawson Humphries for Swan Districts 6 minutes 57, East Fremantle’s Jack Cocking 6 minutes 59 and Subiaco tall Luker Kentfield rounded out the top eight with a time of 7 minutes and 7 seconds. 

Van Rooyen also enhanced his reputation by taking out the agility test. 

West Australian Football Commission State Talent Manager Adam Jones praised the numbers posted by the participants. 

“We were impressed with the efforts and dedication shown by all those who took part in the Combine,” Jones said. 

“On a very hot day and in front of AFL recruiters, it was really pleasing to see some outstanding results.”