WA Teenagers Star At AFL Draft CombineMonday, October 9, 2023 - 4:16 PM

West Australians have impressed recruiters at the annual NAB AFL Draft Combine hosted in Melbourne at the weekend.

Claremont colts premiership player Zane Zakostelsky, Perth’s Aiden O’Driscoll, Peel Thunder ruckman Mitch Edwards, Lions midfielder Koltyn Tholstrup and fellow Subiaco product Lance Collard all enjoyed strong performances ahead of next month’s NAB AFL Draft.

Twelve WA players were invited to the Combine, with Claremont’s Daniel Curtin failing to take part in the physical tests as he recovers from a hamstring strain sustained in last month’s WAFL Colts Grand Final.

Zakostelsky made his mark by winning the vertical jump with an impressive 80cm, the best height achieved since 2017.

The 196cm key position player was closely followed by Peel Thunder tall Mitch Edwards, who was one of three players to record a 78cm leap.

Demons midfielder Aiden O’Driscoll took the next step towards being drafted with the fastest time in the 20m sprint, clocking 2.871 seconds, finishing just ahead of exciting Lions teenager Lance Collard.

The Subiaco small forward won the agility test with a time of 8.157 seconds.

The Combine was also a success for Koltyn Tholstrup who finished second to Collard in the agility test and produced a top ten finish in the 2km time trial on Friday.

WAFC State Talent Manager Adam Jones was proud of the results posted by the WA contingent.

“There were some really impressive performances from WA players and the next six weeks will be an exciting time for all of these young men as they await their fate at the NAB AFL Draft,” Jones said.

The State Combine will be staged on Sunday at Curtin Stadium in Bentley as well as the Ern Clark Athletic Track in Cannington.

Testing begins at 11.30am.