WESTERN Australia is celebrating another outstanding result in the NAB AFL National Draft with 14 players drafted, including number two selection Stephen Coniglio who was selected by Greater Western Sydney.
Claremont's Tom Mitchell was drafted by Sydney with pick 21, South Fremantle's Josh Bootsma was selected by Carlton with pick 22 and Swan Districts play Murray Newman was selected by West Coast with pick 23, seeing 4 WA players taken in the first round of the NAB AFL National Draft, highlighting the strength of the WA talent player pathway.
The result means that 119 WA players have been added to AFL club lists over the past five years via the National, Rookie and Pre Season drafts, with the 2011 Rookie and Pre-season Drafts still to come.
WAFC High Performance Manager Craig Starcevich said: "This is a fantastic outcome for WA Football. All of the community and WAFL football clubs that have been involved in the development of these young players should be very proud.
"From the players’ point of view, we would be hopeful that the opportunity that has been presented to them will be grasped with both hands and that they use the full time professional environment of an AFL club to further improve their game,” he said.
"With these results we can be confident that we have a very strong player pathway at WAFL and community level. Western Australia’s talented footballers have achieved highly in recent years due to the clear and well structured talent pathway.”
WA Draftees
2. Stephen Coniglio – Greater Western Sydney
Club: Swan Districts / LaSalle College/ Upper Swan JFC
Age: 17
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 80 kg
"He was part of the 14th intake into the AIS/AFL Academy. He represented WA at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships averaging 22 disposals. He has fantastic breakaway pace and the ability to make an impact on the scoreboard. He won All Australian honours, best player for WA and the Larke Medal for the best player of the Championships. He is also a WAFL premiership player with Swan Districts.”
21. Tom Mitchell - Sydney Swans (father/son)
Club: Claremont / Hale School / Ashburton JFC
Age: 18
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 73 kg
"Part of the 13th Intake AIS-AFL Academy. He is a left footer with outstanding ball winning ability and excels at the clearances. He missed the early games in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships but was star for WA in the final two matches averaging 28 disposals. He signed under the father son rule to Sydney Swans where his father Barry was a star, with the drafts father son bidding system deciding his ultimate Draft position in October.”
22. Josh Bootsma - Carlton
Club: South Fremantle / North Albany
Age: 18
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 78 kg
"Tall dashing defender that had an outstanding second half of the season with South Fremantle Colts, playing in their winning 2011 Premiership side.
23. Murray Newman - West Coast Eagles
Club: Swan Districts / Upper Swan JFC
Age: 17
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 67 kg
"Represented WA at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. He played in four games averaging 20 disposals a game. He used the ball very well and linked up showing good run. Is a team oriented player who loves to get in and under to get the contested footy.”
28. Fraser McInnes - West Coast Eagles
Club: Perth / Trinity College / South Perth JFC
Age: 18
Height: 194cm
Weight: 87kg
"Tall forward/ruckman who is strong overhead and reads the game very well. Left footer who presents well as a target. Missed Under 18 Championships due to injury.”
30. Elliott Yeo - Brisbane Lions
Club: East Fremantle / Aquinas College / Booragoon JFC
Age: 17
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 73 kg
"Represented WA at the NAB AFL Under 18 championships showing good run and carry. Uses the ball well on right and left side, shows good speed and is versatile. Played consistent Championships, averaging 14 disposals.”
32. Joel Hamling - Geelong
Club: Claremont / Cable Beach FC
Age: 18
Height: 194cm
Weight: 78kg
"Mobile forward playing in the Colts in WAFL who can also play in defence. Impressive for WA against NT and Tasmania in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging five marks.”
33. Bradley Hill - Hawthorn
Club: West Perth / Quinns JFC
Age: 18
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 72 kg
"He is the younger brother of Fremantle’s Stephen Hill. He represented WA at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, showing terrific speed and agility. He is a team oriented player, capable of running all day. ”
34. Shane Kersten - Geelong
Club: South Fremantle / Kwinana JFC
Age: 18
Height: 190cm
Weight: 88kg
"Powerful forward who is strong overhead and a long kick. Kicked five goals against Queensland in the 2010 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships as a 17 year old but missed 2011 Championships due to injury.”
43. Jordan Lockyer - Sydney Swans
Club: West Perth / Kinross JFC
Age: 18
Height: 190cm
Weight: 85kg
"Represented Western Australia at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships working at 75 per cent disposal effectiveness over five games. He can also go forward and provide a mobile marking target. He is the son of former West Coast Eagles star Andrew Lockyer.”
45. Brendon Ah Chee - Port Adelaide
Club: South Fremantle / Kelmscott JFC
Age: 17
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 80 kg
"Played one game in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. He wins contested footy and is strong overhead. He also shows good game sense with his decision making and creativity.”
51. Nathan Blee - Port Adelaide
Club: East Perth / Ballajura JFC
Age: 21
Height: 192cm
Weight: 80kg
"He has very good closing speed, body positioning when one-on-one and he uses the ball well. He can get off his opponent and create run from defence.”
65. Corey Gault - Colingwood
Club: Swan Districts / Mazenod College / Brookton Pingelly
Age: 18
Height: 197 cm
Weight: 84 kg
"Represented WA at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. He played in three games, averaging 10 hit outs, after injury had restricted his availability. He is a naturally a very athletic player who is still developing his craft in the ruck.”
68. Beau Wilkes - St. Kilda
Club: Claremont / West Coast / Railways Albany
Age: 25
Height: 194 cm
Weight: 93 kg
"Had a strong year in the WAFL with Claremont playing as a key forward and was instrumental in their 2011 Premiership, winning the Simpson Medal as best on ground."
