With the AFL National Draft underway on Wednesday and Thursday night, several West Aussie young guns are set to see their AFL dreams realised.
Over the past few days, Sports Breakfast has been speaking to some of the WAFL Colts and State Coaches about some players who are likely to have their names read out on Draft Night.
Here are some character references for WA’s brightest prospects.
JACOB FARROW – WEST PERTH
Defender
Farrow has quickly bolted up draft rankings after an outstanding season, which saw him take out Under-18s All-Australian honours.
He is widely regarded as Western Australia’s top prospect after earning an invitation to the first round of the draft in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
Farrow’s strengths lie in his versatility, having rotated between the backline and midfield during the WAFL season, and his ability to kick from both sides of the body.
West Perth Colts coach Steve Chapman says the club’s always had faith in Farrow, despite setbacks faced earlier in his career.
“He’s come out of the blue externally, but internally, we’ve always had faith in Jacob. He had a few injury issues in juniors and then came through. He kept getting knocked back,” he said.
“We were pushing his case extremely hard because we could see the talent, and it’s really just such a positive story to see it all come together over the past 12 months for him.
“He just kept going and trying to better himself off the field, taking all the feedback on board. We always knew he’d get to where he’s gotten to, so we’re really proud.”
TYLAH WILLIAMS – SWAN DISTRICTS
Tylah Williams has captured attention throughout the season – whether it’s at WAFL Colts level for Swan Districts, the National Under 18s Championships for WA or at Senior level for West Coast’s WAFL side.
The West Coast Next Generation Academy product will be the subject of bids from rival clubs, but the small forward is set to land at West Coast, likely during the second round.
His adaptability across all levels makes him a standout candidate, while his Draft Combine test results were off the charts.
State 18s coach Marc Webb says he’s an exciting player, and will add some much-needed talent to West Coast’s list.
“He’s got some real dynamic movement, a half forward with some good speed, endurance and skilful,” he said.
“They have really been strong in doing their work on Tylah. Hence, he’s another one that could really surprise and see a big late in the first round potentially. Not to say it will definitely happen.
There’s definitely been enough interest in him around that. I think West Coast would certainly be considering where they’re at.
“There’s no doubt they’ve factored that in on where they see that bid might come in, and will most likely have the capacity to take him.”
SAM SWADLING – WEST PERTH
Swadling has a reputation for being a ball magnet, with an impressive average of 35 disposals at WAFL Colts level.
The midfielder had a breakout season, which also saw him earn Under 18s All-Australian honours and a solid run in West Perth’s League side.
Further adding to his sensational resume, Swadling also claimed the West Perth Colts Best and Fairest, despite only having seven appearances at Colts level.
West Perth Colts coach Steve Chapman says he has more to his game than his ball accumulation skills.
“He’s another one that we’re really proud of,” he said.
“He’s had a bit of a growth spurt in the past 12 months, which has helped him. He’s just one of those players, when you get the footy, I don’t think he even knows what he’s going to do at times.
“He evades the opposition really well, and racks up the stats, which isn’t just what Sam does well in his game. He also defends pretty well.
“We’re really happy to hopefully get him an opportunity.”
FRED RODRIGUEZ – SOUTH FREMANTLE
Rodriguez has always been in the top echelon of WA draft prospects after captaining the State 18s side in this year’s National Championships.
He’s barely put a foot wrong, winning the WA Under-18s MVP award and earning a debut for WAFL premiers South Fremantle during round one, a tough side to break into.
At Colts level, he was consistent all season, averaging more than 25 disposals and a goal each game in a year that saw them make the Colts Grand Final.
South Fremantle Colts coach Matt Rogers says Rodriguez is “Mr Consistent.”
“He works harder than anyone else on the ground. He’s coachable, disciplined and willing to play a role,” he said.
“He’s very consistent. His worst and best games are not too far apart, and he’s just a ripping young man.
“If someone wants a really trusted pick that they know what they’re going to get out of them, and they know that they’re going to be a good character and bring something to their AFL squad, then Fred’s going to be their man.”
“They’d love to see him play a few different positions, maybe be a bit quicker and a couple of things like that. But that’s all offset by how hard he’s going to work for you in your program.”
LEON KICKETT – SWAN DISTRICTS
Kickett bolted onto AFL clubs’ radars and up the draft order as quickly as he bolts around the forward line.
He’s an exciting prospect who moved to Perth in the hope of building a footy career, a move that paid off, having thrived at Colts level, before earning his opportunity at Senior level and didn’t look out of place.
He didn’t follow the traditional pathway, but he still forced people to take notice, earning an AFL Draft Combine invite where he impressed in the sprint and vertical jump.
Swan Districts coach Andrew Pruyn says Kickett’s growth is a testament to the club’s development pathways.
“You’ve been around and seen the calibre of players that come out of our club,” he said.
“He’s not a pathway player. He didn’t go through the regular pathways, under-18s football and all that. He’s a hundred per cent Swan District product.
“He’ll probably go second round. I think that the work that’s been done through the footy club, both with our Southwest and up in the Pilbara, is really putting us in good stead.”
CODY CURTIN – CLAREMONT
Curtin won’t quite be playing on the wing like his brother Daniel, but he’s certainly got a chance to end up on an AFL list given his prowess in the arcs.
Previously a defender, Curtin made the switch into the forward line earlier this season and immediately found success, kicking 32 goals across nine appearances at Colts level for Claremont.
Check out what advice his older brother and 2025 Rising Star nominee Dan Curtin gave to him, and how he’s prepared himself for AFL level here.
CHARLIE BANFIELD – CLAREMONT
Winning premierships runs through Charlie Banfield’s blood, and it’s no wonder he played such a significant role in leading Claremont to another Colts flag.
Banfield, son of dual Eagles premiership player Drew, capped off a sensational finals series with Best on Ground honours during the Grand final, averaging 27 disposals and a goal across the campaign.
The father-son prospect also had a taste of playing in blue and gold, making an appearance in West Coast’s WAFL side this season.
WA State Under 18s coach Marc Webb says he shares some similar traits with his father, while also offering versatility.
“I think he has that hard-nose and real competitive side that Drew was renowned for,” he said.
“Charlie’s a bit taller. He’s really good in endurance. He can take a really strong mark too. He’s got that capacity to have an aerial threat, and also he can play that wing role and get goals.
He’s got great capacity and has also shown his ability to play forward, too. He took some really strong marks and can kick goals, and then at Colts level, he’s played on-ball.
“The versatility and height are there as well, where he can play multiple roles and impact in the air.”
TOBY WHAN – SOUTH FREMANTLE
As the reigning Jack Clarke medallist for the Colts’ best-and-fairest in 2025, it’s difficult to overlook him as one of WA’s best prospects.
The Fremantle NGA product went on to claim South Fremantle’s Colts MVP too, in a season that saw him average 29 disposals across the season.
While a shoulder injury prematurely ended his Colts Grand Final appearance and restricted his Draft Combine, his resume is impressive enough to see him land on an AFL list.
South Fremantle Colts coach Matt Rogers says Whan brings the X-factor.
“He obviously had that massive game 41 disposals and four goals against East Perth which kind of put him on the map and reassured everyone that he’s capable,” he said.
“Toby’s running power is through the roof. He really covers the ground really well and he’s got power to get out of stoppages and a lovely left foot when he’s nice and balanced.”
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