WAFL Players Ready and Waiting for AFL Call-Up Wednesday, March 16, 2022 - 3:14 PM - by Rachael Osborne

Five Sandover Medallists are among a group of 40 players named by the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles as part of the AFL’s “Top Up Contingency Plan.” 

Claremont pair Bailey Rogers and Jye Bolton were taken by the Dockers through NGA Club Selections, while 2019 Sandover Medallist Lachlan Delahunty was selected at pick 3 by Fremantle in yesterday’s Draft. 

West Perth midfielder Aaron Black, who won the Medal in 2014, was grabbed by the Eagles with their second Draft selection, while 2020 Sandover winner Sam Fisher was an NGA Selection for West Coast.  

Midfielder Ronin O’Connor was taken at pick one by the Dockers and the Eagles used their opening selection to name fellow Tiger Steven Miller. 

The “Top Up Contingency Plan” was put in place around the country to ensure the AFL season continues as scheduled through the ongoing pandemic. 

WAFC Executive Manager WAFL and Talent Scott Baker is delighted local talent could receive a rare opportunity to train and play with an AFL club this season. 
 
”There’s outstanding talent within the WAFL system and this a rare chance for some players to live out their dream of getting a shot at the AFL,” Baker said. 

Key rules for the AFL Top Up Contingency Plan: 

• If a club is down to 30 already listed available players because of the Covid health and safety protocols, a club will be allowed to activate a player from their contingency list to list participate in training 

• Teams can only call up Contingency Players to feature in the game if the number of available players falls before 28 available players 

• AFL clubs will not have any holding rights over players for either the mid-season or end of year drafts. 

• Meaning theoretically, a player could possibly play for two different teams in a season, once in the first half of the year as a Covid contingency player and secondly as a mid-season draftee. 

On any given weekend, between them Fremantle and West Coast can draw on a maximum of 3 players from any one WAFL Club.