AFL Draft 2025: WA Football state talent manager Adam Jones hopeful of healthy draft class after state combine

WA Football state talent manager Adam Jones says a second straight year of double-digit West Australian teenagers going in the AFL draft is not out of the question after some eye-catching results at Sunday’s state combine.

It comes as Charlie Banfield cemented his status as a draft riser with an impressive, personal-best outing in the 2km time trial.

The next crop of potential AFL draftees hoping to fulfill lifelong dreams were put through their paces as the underwent physical testing at Shenton College and WA Athletics Stadium.

Last year, 10 Sandgropers made their way onto AFL lists at the 2024 draft, down from 14 the year below.

But the 2024 total came against the backdrop of one recruiting expert’s bold, mid-season claim that no West Australian would be drafted, declaring it the worst year for talent the state had ever seen.

While Jones was wary of predicting a return to the draft haul of 2023, he was confident the 2025 contingent could match last year’s tally, which was headlined by West Coast’s Bo Allan at 16th.

“I actually think the numbers are going to be pretty close. The draft range I’m hoping for is between 8-12,” Jones said.

“If we get anything above 10, it’s going to be a fantastic result, and I think we’re on track for that. Some great results this weekend will certainly help that.”

Two of those great results belonged to Banfield and Toby Whan, with the former clocking a personal best 2km run time of 6:08, with the latter just three seconds behind.

Had those times occurred at the national combine in Melbourne, they would have been good enough for fourth and fifth in the country respectively.

As the son of Eagles legend Drew, Banfield is a chance to be taken by West Coast as a father-son prospect, but Jones said the Claremont colts star could attract attention from rival clubs.

“From the start of the championships to the end of the season, he just went from strength to strength, and Sunday’s running will help solidify that,” he said.

“No doubt he’ll be under the attention of a number of clubs. West Coast will be hoping there’s no bid put on him — but the way he’s gone, I won’t be surprised if there is.”

South Fremantle product Whan’s 2km performance was even more impressive given he is currently rehabbing an AC joint injury he suffered in the WAFL colts grand final.

At the indoor speed and agility testing earlier on Sunday, Ryda Luke ran a rapid 2.85 for the 20m sprint to snare the quickest time by any West Australian, while Dale Sutherland turned heads when he broke the eight-second barrier for the agility drill.

During the AFLW testing, Perth Demons prospect Sienna Timmermans dominated the 2km time trial with a 7:34 run — 44 seconds faster than her nearest competitor on Sunday, and 13 seconds off fellow West Australian Juliet Kelly’s time at the national combine earlier this week.

“The poor girl had to run on her own for the whole race,” Jones said of Timmermans’ stand-out run.

“If she had someone running with her, she might have gone even better, but it was a fantastic time. She should be really pleased with that.”