WA’s Best Chances at Tonight’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

Credit: The West Australian

By Lachlan Byrne

The hotly anticipated AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft is tonight and the WAFL is set to lose a horde of stars.

Four of the WAFL’S most important players - Brynn Teakle, Jasper Scaife, Jacob Blight and Michael Sellwood – look to be headed to a new AFL home on Wednesday night.

Teakle joined East Fremantle after being delisted by Port Adelaide last year and is looking for a new home at AFL level after dominating in the ruck this season, averaging 16 possessions, 3.7 marks and 36.5 hit outs.

Scaife has been a bull in a China shop for West Perth’s forward-line this season with the 20-year-old key forward kicking 9 goals to date – including a 4 goal, 17 disposal effort in Round 2, taking 9 marks to go with it.

Reigning WAFL grand-finalists, Peel Thunder – who currently sit atop the WAFL ladder - look set to be hit hardest by the Mid-Season Rookie Draft, potentially losing key defender Jacob Blight and running half back, Michael Sellwood.

2023 WAFL Team of the Year member Blight, continues to blossom in his second season with Peel after crossing from Claremont. With many teams at AFL level in the market for key position players, it is hard to see the Thunder talent remaining at Lane Group Stadium.

Sellwood is the bolter of the group out of WA after cementing his spot in the Peel side alongside Blight in the Thunder’s backline. The speedy 21-year-old is averaging 18 possessions as a defender in 2024, with the speed and endurance to play higher up the ground.

Another East Fremantle product for AFL clubs to choose from is the smaller sized Milan Murdoch. The 2023 Simpson Medallist has made a strong start to the season averaging 25.6 disposals and 9.3 tackles in 7 games.

Other smokeys for the draft include Luker Kentfield (Subiaco) and Darcy Craven (East Perth).

Brisbane Lions lead the way in the draft tonight with 4 spots available on their list whereas Greater Western Sydney, Geelong, Fremantle and Gold Coast either have no list spots available or will not take part in the draft.