WA Players Set For 2022 NAB AFLW Draft Combine Friday, May 13, 2022 - 4:19 PM - by Mark Readings

Nine WA players have been invited to participate in the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft Combine. 

This year’s Combine will again be state based, with dates and locations yet to be announced. 

Of the 106 players invited, 78 are eligible for the NAB AFLW Draft for the first time, and there are a further 28 open-age players. 

West Australian Football Commission Talent Program Specialist Elly Lambkin believes all 9 WA players have strong claims to being drafted. 

“Each player over the past year has been able to demonstrate the strengths that AFLW clubs are interested in adding to their lists.  

It’s a credit to the players hard work and dedication. 

I think all nine are a genuine chance to be picked up with an expansion year opening more list space with player movement to new clubs,” Lambkin said. 

 Lambkin praised the group’s efforts during the National 18’s Championships and the WAFLW All Stars match. 

While rising WA stars Ella Roberts and Lauren Wakfer were included in the 2022 NAB AFLW National Championships U18 All-Australian Team, the rapid development of other players led to a Combine invite. 

“Bella Mann captained the 18s team and led from the front in each Championship match, demonstrating her ability to win contested footy in the air and on the ground,” Lambkin said. 

?All states and territories will be represented at the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft Combine. 

The 2022 NAB AFLW Draft Combine will feature one physical test, with all players to complete a 2km time trial. 

The reduction in testing at this year’s Combine takes into consideration changes to AFLW timelines, along with the significant amount of pre-season testing that was conducted nationally earlier this year. 

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan said players invited to the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft Combine represented the next crop of AFLW stars. 

“We are very excited about the high level of talent within this group of future stars of the AFLW,” Sheehan said. 

“The 2022 version of the NAB AFLW Draft Combine will be shorter than those held in previous years, however the on-field performance of this group of players over the past season has provided a great indication that they will have a huge impact on the NAB AFLW competition.” 

Full list of players invited to the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft Combine: 

All nine WA representatives invited to the Combine have resumed playing with their WAFLW sides.