South Freo pair join Dockers, add to WA draft haulFriday, November 21, 2025 - 11:26 AM

South Fremantle pair Toby Whan and Ryda Luke are the latest West Aussies to find their way onto an AFL list, both joining Fremantle at Category-B Rookies.

Whan and Luke, both part of Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy, were listed by the Dockers ahead of Friday’s AFL Rookie Draft, taking the number of WA talents drafted this week to eight after six realised their AFL dreams in the Telstra AFL National Draft.

Ball magnet Whan had an excellent season for the Bulldogs and WA’s under-18s, winning the Jack Clarke Medal as the EGT WAFL Colts’ fairest-and-best player.

He also took out the Bulldogs’ colts MVP honour after averaging more than 29 disposals across the home-and-away season, including a remarkable 41-disposal, four-goal performance against East Perth in Round 18.

 

 

 

 

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Luke burst onto the scene with a remarkable eight-goal half for South Fremantle colts earlier in the season.

He finished with 21 goals in 11 colts appearances and also lined up for WA’s under-18s after recovering from a back injury.

WA Football State Talent Manager Adam Jones was delighted for the pair and was hopeful of adding to WA's draft haul in the AFL Rookie Draft.

“We’re really excited for Toby and Ryda who have worked hard for their opportunity to get onto an AFL list,” Jones said.

“Toby had a consistent year at WAFL Colts and National Under-18s levels, while Ryda has shown glimpses of his potential amid an injury-interrupted campaign.

“It takes our number of draftees to eight which we’re hopeful of further adding to in the AFL Rookie Draft.”

Fremantle list boss David Walls said it was a “good result” that both weren’t picked up in the Telstra AFL National Draft.

“We'll file paperwork and put both on as Cat Bs, so we're excited about that,” Dockers list boss David Walls said.

“It was a good result for us that they didn't get a bid, and we can put them on and get them to train on Monday.”

Walls described Whan as a “real professional” and Luke as a raw-but-exciting talent.

“Toby is a real professional and he's been in the programs all the way through,” Walls said.

“He's done senior pre-seasons with South Fremantle, he's a strong runner, played some senior footy, is a left-footer on the wing and gets up and down the ground really well.

“Ryda is pretty raw, just really powerful, quick and can take a good mark,” Walls said.

“He just hasn't been in the programs or the system as long as Toby. He's going to take a little while to develop, but we’re excited with the attributes he has and look forward to getting him in and working with him.”