WAFC congratulates WA drafteesThursday, November 21, 2013 - 5:48 PM

THE West Australian Football Commission congratulates the 12 WAFL players selected in the 2013 NAB AFL National Draft on the Gold Coast tonight, which included four first round selections.

This is in addition to the pre-selection of top WA talents Jesse Hogan (Melbourne / Claremont) and Jack Martin (Gold Coast / Claremont) for 2014.

Three AFL rookies from WA were also elevated to West Coast’s senior list during the National Draft, including Jamie Bennell (Swan Districts / Carey Park), Jeremy McGovern (Claremont / North Albany) and Simon Tunbridge (Perth / Dongara).

WAFC General Manager of Pathways and Competitions Steve Hargrave said this was a pleasing result for WA football and congratulated the players, community clubs and WAFL clubs involved in each player’s development.

“We are very proud of the players who have received the opportunity to fulfil their AFL dream and everyone else involved in the WAFL talent pathway,” Mr Hargrave said.

“We have a strong development system in Western Australia lead by our WAFL clubs and highlighted not only by the drafting of 12 players tonight, but also the pre-selection of the most promising 17 year olds in the nation over the last few years.”

Dominic Sheed

No. 11 – West Coast Eagles

Club: Subiaco / Mines Rovers

School: Eastern Goldfields College

D.O.B: 10.4.95

Height: 184cm

Weight: 83kg

Medium midfielder who is a prolific ball winner. His work rate is excellent as is his ability to win his own ball.  Makes very good decisions either by hand or on his preferred left foot.  Can play outside or inside and is very good around stoppages. Averaged 28 disposals and six clearances during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Winner of the Larke Medal and All-Australian honours. Graduate of the AIS-AFL Academy in 2013.

Patrick Cripps

No. 13 – Carlton

Club: East Fremantle / Northampton

School: Aquinas College

D.O.B: 18.3.95

Height: 188cm

Weight: 90kg

Strong bodied medium midfielder that excels around the stoppages.  Keeps his feet very well under pressure and executes very effectively by hand.  A one touch player that makes smart decisions when in possession. Averaged 19 disposals and six clearances earning All-Australian honours at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in 2013

Cameron McCarthy

No. 14 – Greater Western Sydney

Club: South Fremantle / South Coogee

D.O.B: 1.4.1995

Height: 195cm

Weight: 89kg

Explosive tall forward with excellent leg speed and overhead marking ability.  Can win the ball both on the lead or in a contested situation.  Keeps his feet very well and displays courage when the ball is in the air.  An accurate set shot booting 12 goals in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships where he earned All-Australian honours.

Blake Acres

No. 19 –– St. Kilda

Club: West Perth / Wanneroo

School: Woodvale SHS

D.O.B: 7.10.95

Height: 189cm

Weight: 84kg

Smooth moving and classy Medium Forward that uses the ball very effectively.  Wins the football both on the inside and outside distributing on either side of the body by hand and foot.  Displays very clean hands and rarely fumbles while also being a strong overhead mark.  His leadership is a real feature of his game. Missed early Under-18 championships matches due to injury but returned in round four and five to display his potential.

Rory Lobb

No. 29 – Greater Western Sydney

Club: Swan Districts / Swan Athletic

D.O.B 9.2.93

Height: 205

Weight: 98

Developing athletic ruckman who can take contested marks and is also competent at ground level for his size.  Distributes the ball well to his midfielders.  Comes from a basketball background and shows deft touch in his ruck work.  Has developed the ability to push forward and present an imposing target.  Played the last 9 matches at Senior level, his 18 disposals, 7 marks and 28 hit-outs vs East Fremantle his most impressive.

Nick Robertson

No. 34 – Brisbane

Club: West Perth / Joondalup-Kinross

School: Woodvale SHS

D.O.B: 3.6.95

Height: 188cm

Weight: 83kg

Medium Defender/Midfielder that attacks the footy at every opportunity.  A strongly built player with an appetite for the contest who is rarely beaten one on one.  Likes to run hard and straight with the ball.  His defensive skills and the pressure he applies on the opposition is a feature of his game.  Possesses elite endurance.  Started the year with a bang for West Perth amassing 36 disposals and kicking two goals against East Perth at Colts level. Missed the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships due to injury.  AIS-AFL Academy Graduate.

Jarrad Jansen

No. 36 – Geelong

Club: East Fremantle / Bullcreek-Leeming

School: Leeming SHS

D.O.B: 2.5.95

Height: 188cm

Weight: 91kg

Strong bodied Medium Forward who thrives on the inside and applies enormous amounts of pressure on the opposition.  Displays clean hands under pressure and is a strong overhead mark, is very versatile and can push into the midfield when needed.  His 28 disposals and seven tackles against Tasmania was his best game at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Dayle Garlett

No. 38 – Hawthorn 

Club: Swan Districts / Upper Swan

School: Governor Stirling

D.O.B: 9.1.94

Height: 180cm

Weight: 78kg

Medium Forward with dynamic left foot both around goals and in setting up the play. Has ability to consistently find space and he excels at stoppages. All-Australian at Under-18s level in 2012 and has had excellent senior year with Swan Districts kicking 44 goals and averaging 17 disposals including kicking five goals or more on four occasions.

Tom Barrass

No. 43 – West Coast Eagles

Club: Claremont / Scarborough

School: Hale

D.O.B: 8.10.95

Height: 192cm

Weight: 81kg

Tall defender with very good ability to read the ball in flight.  Comes off his opponent at the right time to impact the contest and uses the ball smartly on the counter attack.  Possesses a penetrating and accurate left foot that can carry the lines as well as being a strong overhead mark.

Aliir Aliir

No. 44 – Sydney Swans

Club: East Fremantle

D.O.B: 5.9.94

Height: 196

Weight: 90

Tall utility player that spent most of his time in defence for WA’s State 18s but has proven he can go forward, kicking five goals for East Fremantle in a WAFL Colts game. Played on some of the best forwards in the nation during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in 2013

Dylan Main

No. 49 – West Coast Eagles

Club: South Fremantle / South Coogee

School: Seton Catholic College

D.O.B: 2.9.95

Height: 189cm

Weight: 77kg

Medium Forward who is strong overhead and has excellent hand and foot skills. Makes good decisions under pressure particularly in close . Western Australian Under-18s representative in 2013 averaging 13 disposals and has now progressed to reserves level in WAFL and impressed in recent weeks.

Jonathon Marsh

No. 77 - Collingwood

Club: East Fremantle / Augusta-Margaret River

School: Margaret River

D.O.B: 17.10.1995

Height: 191cm

Weight: 89kg

Powerful and explosive tall forward with electrifying leg speed. Likes to take the opposition on and is capable of breaking a game apart.  A long penetrating right foot with strong hands on the lead when marking.  Gathered 22 disposals and four goals his best game at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships against the Northern Territory.