McDonald and O'Driscoll selected for AFL Draft Combine

A total of 24 Simply Energy WA State Academy players have been selected for the 2020 NAB AFL & AFLW National Combine – National Level to be completed in Perth later this year. 

Twelve male athletes and 12 female athletes will test ahead of the October 6 AFLW Draft. 

Due to COVID-19, the U18s National Championship was cancelled for season 2020, seeing the players take part in shortened WAFL Colts and WAFLW campaigns. 

Players will now test in Western Australia before the 2020 National Draft at the back end of the year. 

2020 NAB AFL National Combine – National Level

Blake Morris - Subiaco
Brandon Walker - East Fremantle
Denver Grainger-Barras - Swan Districts
Heath Chapman - West Perth
Isiah Winder - Peel Thunder 
Jack Carroll - East Fremantle
Joel Western - Claremont
Kalin Lane - Claremont
Logan McDonald - Perth
Nathan O'Driscoll - Perth
Shannon Neale - South Fremantle
Zane Trew - Swan Districts

2019 Under 18s National Championship winners Logan McDonald, Denver Grainger-Barras and Nathan O’Driscoll all feature on the list, with the trio playing League football for their respective WAFL clubs this season. 

Fremantle Next Generation athletes Brandon Walker and Joel Western will test at the Combine, while Heath Chapman and Jack Carroll have been rewarded for their strong WAFL Colts form. 

WA State Talent Manager Adam Jones said after a challenging six months for the players it was an exciting time ahead of the testing period. 

“To have 12 players selected at a National Level is a great result for our WA program in what has been a challenging year.” Jones said.

“Our entire WA squad has shown great character given the level of adversity each player has faced in 2020. All players have applied themselves at WAFL Colts and League level, and we will have another strong cohort heading to the Draft.”

“The combine on September 30 is a great opportunity for our players to showcase their athletic talent in front of AFL clubs, giving themselves the best chance to be drafted later in the year.”