AFL Draft 2025: WA Football’s Adam Jones Optimistic About Strong Draft Class Following State Combine

Adam Jones, the state talent manager for WA Football, is optimistic about the upcoming AFL Draft 2025. Following a successful state combine held at Shenton College and WA Athletics Stadium, Jones believes West Australian teenagers could once again make a significant impact in the draft.

Impressive Performances at the State Combine

On Sunday, notable performances by young athletes raised hopes for the upcoming draft. Charlie Banfield stood out, posting a personal-best time in the 2km run, clocking in at 6:08. He is now seen as a strong contender for an AFL spot, especially with the West Coast Eagles considering him as a father-son prospect.

• 2km Time Trial Results:
  • Charlie Banfield: 6:08
  • Toby Whan: 6:11

Both athletes would have ranked highly in the national combine results, confirming their abilities on a broader stage. The competitive nature of the combine demonstrates the depth of talent emerging from Western Australia.

Jones’s Predictions for the Draft

Last year, ten West Australians were selected during the 2024 AFL Draft, a slight decrease from 14 in 2023. Jones is optimistic that the upcoming draft will see similar numbers, hoping for a total of between 8 and 12 players from WA. “If we get anything above ten, it’s going to be a fantastic result,” he stated.

Notable Combine Highlights

In addition to Banfield and Whan, other athletes also made headlines during the combine:

• Ryda Luke: Recorded the fastest 20m sprint time among West Australians at 2.85 seconds.
• Dale Sutherland: Broke the eight-second barrier in the agility drill.
• Sienna Timmermans: Dominated the AFLW 2km time trial with a staggering time of 7:34.

Timbermans’ performance was particularly impressive, as she finished 44 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. Her time is only 13 seconds slower than that of Juliet Kelly, who excelled at the national combine.

Looking Ahead

The potential for a strong showing in the AFL Draft 2025 remains bright. With young talents steadily improving, Jones’s enthusiasm sets the stage for WA Football’s future. As these athletes continue to develop, the upcoming AFL draft is bound to be an exciting event for fans and clubs alike.