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Kevin Sheehan’s 2023 AFL Draft top prospects: MidfieldersFriday, November 10, 2023 - 9:41 AM
AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has released profiles on WA's top midfield prospects ahead of the 2023 AFL Draft.
The 2023 AFL Draft will be held on Monday, November 20 and Tuesday, November 21. The 2023 AFL Rookie Draft will follow on Wednesday, November 22.
Sheehan's player profiles are being released by positional group ahead of this year's Draft.
The players profiled attended the 2023 AFL Draft Combine or 2023 AFL State Draft Combine which were held during October.
NATIONAL COMBINE
Clay Hall
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Peel Thunder
Community Club: Harvey Brunswick Leschenault
Date of Birth: 12/05/05
Height: 189cm
Prolific disposal winner who uses the ball effectively on his preferred left foot and excels at stoppages using his clean hands and vision to create for his team. Has already played nine matches at senior level with Peel Thunder averaging 18.9 disposals. Starred when he represented Western Australia at the National Championships averaging 27.2 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six clearances and five tackles to win All Australian honours. Is the son of former West Coast Eagles and Geelong Cats forward Derek Hall but is not eligible for either club under father-son rules given Derek played only two games for the Eagles and 74 matches for the Cats. Didn’t test at the Draft Combine due to injury.
Aiden O’Driscoll
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Perth
Community Club: Northern Saints
Date of Birth: 22/07/05
Height: 175cm
Wingman who caught the eye with his pace for Western Australia at the National Championships and was among the best players against South Australia and Victoria Country. Showed good footy smarts to keep his width on the wing and provide an outlet for his team and generally was a neat ball user. His elite combination of speed and endurance set the national Draft Combine alight, where he was ranked number one for the 20m sprint with a blistering 2.87 seconds and finished fifth in the 2km time trial with an effort of 6:06. Played nine matches for Perth at under 18 level, averaging 15.8 disposals and kicking seven goals. Comes from an AFL football family with his brother Nathan and sister Emma both playing with Fremantle.
Reece Torrent
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Peel Thunder
Community Club: Halls Head
Date of Birth: 03/08/05
Height: 184cm
Powerfully built wingman who impressed for Western Australia at the National Championships with his sharp competitive edge and game awareness. Was one of his state’s best against the Allies and played all four matches during the tournament, averaging 16.8 disposals and three tackles while showing a real appetite for the contest. Continued to develop with his club Peel Thunder throughout the year, where he progressed from the under 18s through the reserves before making his senior debut late in the year. Had strong performances in the agility test (8.26 seconds) and 2km time trial (6:24) at the national Draft Combine which demonstrated his athletic prowess.
STATE COMBINE
Ashton Ferreira
State: Western Australia
State League Club: South Fremantle
Community Club: Jandakot Jets
Date of Birth: 03/04/05
Height: 184cm
Wingman who continued to progress as the year unfolded, graduating from under 18s, through to the reserves before playing three very impressive games at senior level for South Fremantle at the end of the year where he averaged 22.3 disposals. Represented Western Australia in all four of its matches at the National Championships with his speed a real weapon. He reinforced this asset recording 2.96 seconds for the 20m sprint at the state Draft Combine along with a slick agility test time of 8.13 seconds.
Lawson Humphries
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Swan Districts
Community Club: Wickham Wolves
Date of Birth: 24/04/03
Height: 182cm
Medium-sized midfielder from the Pilbara in the north of Western Australia who moved to Hale School in Perth to pursue his education and football. Formerly a member of the Flying Boomerangs program, he has progressed over three years at Swan Districts from the under 18s and reserves to senior football this year. Made his senior debut in Round 8 and averaged 15.8 disposals across nine matches in a promising start to his senior career. Showed very good athletic traits at the state Draft Combine recording 3.00 seconds on the 20m sprint and 8.28 seconds on the agility test.
Riley Wills
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Subiaco
Community Club: Carine
Date of Birth: 08/07/04
Height: 178cm
A quick and agile midfielder whose good form this year saw him added to Western Australia’s squad once the National Championships were underway. His ball-winning ability and neat skills were on display in three matches for his state averaging 19.7 disposals (10 contested), four clearances and six tackles to impress at the level. Showcased his athletic prowess at the state Draft Combine with his 2.92 seconds for the 20m sprint, 7.98 seconds for the agility test and 94cm effort on the running vertical jump all ranked in the top five across all state Draft Combine participants.
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