Strong WA targets rare draft trifectaafl.com.au
By Nathan Schmook
Wed 19 May, 2010WESTERN Australia is poised to produce another stellar crop of AFL recruits at November’s NAB AFL Draft, and it is becoming increasingly likely that the state could provide the first three players picked.
Gold Coast, which holds the first three selections at this year’s draft, has already committed to taking star WA midfielder David Swallow, and this month’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships may decide which two players join him as prized top-three picks.
Heading into the championships, which kick off on May 22, midfielder Harley Bennell and key position prospect Jack Darling are making compelling early cases to complete a WA trifecta.
Under the current recruiting system, Victoria is the only state to provide the first three players selected in the National Draft, doing so in 2001 (Luke Hodge, Luke Ball and Chris Judd) and again in 2005 (Marc Murphy, Dale Thomas and Xavier Ellis).
WA Football Commission high performance coach Rob Wiley said depth and team contribution would be WA’s strength at this year’s championships, but he acknowledged the stand-out status of Bennell and Darling.
“Harley Bennell is Harley Bennell and I’m sure recruiting people are already rather excited about what he has shown and how he can potentially develop to be a very good AFL player,” Wiley told afl.com.au.
“He’s certainly a modern-type footballer, he’s a good size and very athletic. He’s got great pace and excellent skills on both sides of his body and he can play in a number of positions.
“His skills and his ball-getting ability are very exciting.”
Wiley, an AFL and West Coast Eagles life member and Richmond premiership player, has overseen WA's coaching system for three years. He said Darling had an outstanding record in elite underage competition and was well placed heading into these championships.
“I’m sure the recruiting people know plenty about Jack, but his limits as a footballer are going to be improved as he continues to develop,” Wiley said.
“His marking, his goalkicking ability and his one-percenters are outstanding. He definitely does use his physical presence on the football field.”
WA continued a stellar record in the first round last year, with Sandgropers Anthony Morabito, Brad Sheppard, Kane Lucas and Lewis Jetta all snapped up with early picks.
The state had 14 players recruited to AFL clubs through the 2009 National Draft, 16 at the 2008 meeting and 15 back in 2007.
Wiley said with Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney preparing to enter the competition in coming seasons, there was no reason why WA could not produce another bumper crop of recruits.
“We’ve had wonderful numbers in the last three years, so I don’t see any reason why that won’t continue,” he said.
“There are three avenues of attack for players to be recruited from WA - the 18s, the colts and the league system. All indications so far are that we’ve got good depth there.”
Wiley said Blayne Wilson, Alex Fasolo and Jamie Cripps, who all represented WA last year, would be key players at this year’s championships.
Other names to keep an eye on are Ben Newton, Reece Conca, Kieran Butcher and Tom Mitchell, who it is hoped can play some games late in the showcase event.
Wiley said the players, who were presented with their jumpers at Subiaco Oval on Tuesday night, were gelling as a team and would not rely on individuals at the championships.
“The success of WA over a number of years has been that team contribution, and really relying on the team rather than a few individuals,” Wiley said.
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