Double-digit AFL draft haul for WA after duo picked up in Rookie DraftFriday, November 21, 2025 - 12:29 PM - by Jordan McArdle

Western Australia finished with 10 talents realising their AFL dreams across the Telstra AFL Draft in a fantastic result.

After six WA players were picked up in the National Draft, a further two more were snapped up in Friday’s Rookie Draft.

South Fremantle pair Toby Whan and Ryda Luke became Fremantle players earlier on Friday as Category-B Rookies through the club’s Next Generation Academy, getting WA’s draft haul into double digits.

State 18s MVP and captain Fred Rodriguez, one of the shocks of the National Draft when he was overlooked, was the first pick of the Rookie Draft with West Coast snooping on the South Fremantle jet.

Rodriguez was rewarded for a consistent season which included a senior debut at WAFL premiers South Fremantle and Under-18s All-Australian selection.

West Coast legend and Head of Football John Worsfold suprised Rodriguez at home and presented him with his first Eagles jumper in a special moment.

State 18s captain and MVP Fred Rodriguez in his new @WestCoastEagles colours after Eagles swooped on the @SFFCBulldogs gun with Pick 1 in the Rookie Draft. Great to see him get a well-deserved opportunity. 10 West Aussies drafted across the week including 6 in the National Draft. pic.twitter.com/1c7zocmqnr

— Jordan McArdle (@jordan_mc12) November 21, 2025

Swan Districts small forward Leon ‘Neon Leon’ Kickett was the final West Aussie selected, becoming a Fremantle player with Pick 8.

It came after West Perth pair Jacob Farrow (Pick 10 to Essendon) and Sam Swadling (Pick 37 to Collingwood), Perth's Koby Evans (Pick 38 to Brisbane Lions), Swan Districts' Tylah Williams (Pick 39 to West Coast) and two-time Claremont colts premiership players Charlie Banfield (Pick 41 to St Kilda) and Cody Curtin (Pick 43 to Brisbane Lions) were picked up in the National Draft on Wednesday and Thursday.

WA Football State Talent Manager Adam Jones congratulated the 10 players drafted.

“We’re delighted for the 10 players who realised their AFL dreams this week, it’s a credit to their hard work and determination over the past few years,” Jones said.

“We were confident of getting around 8-12 players picked up in the lead up so to have double digits is a great result.

“For those who missed out, it’s not the end of their journeys. There’s still plenty more opportunities to get onto an AFL list through the SSP period, Mid-Season Draft and future National Drafts.

“We’ll continue to provide support to these young men alongside the WAFL clubs.”

“It’s always an exciting time of year seeing the next crop of WA talent rewarded with a spot on an AFL list,” WA Football CEO Michael Roberts added.

"We’re proud at WA Football to play a part in helping these young men achieve their goals.

“All the clubs involved – from Auskick all the way to WAFL – as well as the players’ schools and families should also be extremely proud of helping them get there.

“We look forward to watching them continue to flourish in an AFL system and take the next step in their footy journeys.”

WA’s 2025 draftees 

Jacob Farrow (West Perth) - Pick 10 in National Draft to Essendon 

Sam Swadling (West Perth) - Pick 37 in National Draft to Collingwood 

Koby Evans (Perth) - Pick 38 in National Draft to Brisbane Lions 

Tylah Williams (Swan Districts) - Pick 39 in National Draft to West Coast 

Charlie Banfield (Claremont) - Pick 41 in National Draft to St Kilda 

Cody Curtin (Claremont) - Pick 43 in National Draft to Brisbane Lions 

Fred Rodriguez (South Fremantle) - Pick 1 in Rookie Draft to West Coast 

Leon Kickett (Swan Districts) - Pick 8 in Rookie Draft to Fremantle 

Toby Whan (South Fremantle) - Category-B Rookie to Fremantle 

Ryda Luke (South Fremantle) - Category-B Rookie to Fremantle