WA Indigenous Talent Set To Shine Friday, November 14, 2025 - 1:10 PM

Western Australia is set to play a leading role in a resurgence of Indigenous numbers in the AFL in 2026.

A handful of local First Nations players are in line to be taken in next week’s Telstra AFL Draft.

Koby Evans, Wes Walley, Ryda Luke, Tylah Williams and Leon Kickett headline a group of potential draftees.

Although more than 60 First Nations people were on an AFL list this season there has been a drop of almost 30 per cent across the past five years.

Arresting that trend is a focus for the AFL and WA Football.

WA Football State Talent Manager Adam Jones is delighted with the crop of Indigenous players coming through.

“It’s great we have had a spike in those numbers and hopefully we can keep that trend going,” said Jones.

“We have a number of Indigenous boys in our Summer Squad who hopefully can take the next step.

“We’ve always had a great number of Indigenous players come out of WA, and to have those numbers peaking this year is really exciting.

“The talent is always there and if we can get many of those players into the AFL system and survive at the top level the game will be the better for it.”

Among those attracting attention is West Coast Eagles NGA product Williams.

“Around the 20-mark is where clubs will start bidding for Tylah,” Jones said.

“I’d be surprised if he gets past 30, and then it’ll be a case of whether West Coast match that bid.”

Kickett is another exciting player whose development at Swan Districts has caught the eye of several recruiters.

“I liken his journey to that of Brisbane premiership player Charlie Cameron,” Jones said.

“Charlie got drafted as a 19 year-old, had talent but was quite raw and Leon is just the same.

“He moved up from Bunbury this year and has been far more settled and been able to train at Swan Districts.

“He has a terrific small forward’s game.”

Evans looms as another prospect, a West Coast Eagles NGA prospect.

“With his speed and combativeness he is highly rated and given his injuries this year has could prove to be a bargain for the Eagles.”