CLAREMONT Football Club’s Jordan Clark was the first of seven WA player to have their dreams of joining an AFL team realised at this year’s AFL Draft.
The defender, who made the U18 All Australian squad and was named the WA team’s most valuable player after a stellar showing at the AFL U18 Championships, will play for Geelong after he was taken with pick 15.
Perth Football Club’s speedy small forward Ian Hill, the second cousin of Fremantle brothers Brad and Stephen, will be heading east after he was picked up by Greater Western Sydney with pick 24.
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READ NOWSubiaco Football Club’s Luke Foley won’t have to travel very far to join his new team after West Coast snapped him up with pick 31.
The forward stands out for his high work rate, penetrating kick and great contested marking ability.
Swan Districts Football Club’s Jarrod Cameron, the younger brother of Brisbane player Charlie Cameron, will also join the Eagles after they used pick 39 on the creative small forward.
As a Next Generation Academy player, Cameron was almost certain to end up at the Eagles.
East Fremantle’s Tom Joyce followed just a pick later and will head to the Brisbane Lions.
He had an interrupted season after a hip injury but is considered a tough midfielder with elite endurance and clean hands.
South Fremantle mature aged player Matthew Parker, considered a smokey in this year’s draft, was taken by St Kilda with pick 47, while almost 20 players found their new homes before Perth midfielder Luke English had his name called out by Richmond with pick 62.
The Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles also topped up their lists with some good talent.
Fremantle opted for a forward with their first choice, taking Victorian Sam Sturt with pick 17.
“It’s amazing. It’s the best experience and the best feeling of my life,” Sturt said.
“I just want a new experience and with WA being close to the beach and being nice and hot, it’s just an ideal place for me at the moment.”
They also picked up South Australian captain and midfielder Luke Valente (pick 32) and Williamstown (Victoria) mature aged teammates and midfielders Lachlan Schultz (pick 57) and Brett Bewley (pick 59).
West Coast’s first pick (28) was used on Victorian Xavier O’Neill, a quick midfielder lauded for his football smarts and ability to win both contested and uncontested ball.
Also joining the reigning premiers from interstate was Bailey Williams (pick 35).
WA Players Who Made AFL Lists
Pick 15: Jordan Clark (Geelong)
Pick 24: Ian Hill (Greater Western Sydney)
Pick 31: Luke Foley (West Coast)
Pick 39: Jarrod Cameron (West Coast)
Pick 40: Tom Joyce (Brisbane)
Pick 47: Matthew Parker (St Kilda)
Pick 62: Luke English (Richmond)
Rookie: Durak Tucker (Peel Thunder to Sydney)
Rookie: Damon Greaves (East Perth to Hawthorn)
Rookie: Harry Edwards (Swan Districts to West Coast)
Rookie: Tobe Watson (Swan Districts to Fremantle)
Fremantle’s New Players
Pick 17: Sam Sturt (Victoria)
Pick 32: Luke Valente (South Australia)
Pick 57: Lachlan Schultz (Victoria)
Pick 59: Brett Bewley (Victoria)
Rookie: Ethan Hughes (Re-listed)
Rookie: Ryan Nyhuis (Re-listed)
West Coast’s New Players
Pick 28: Xavier O’Neill (Victoria)
Pick 31: Luke Foley (Subiaco)
Pick 35: Bailey Williams (Victoria)
Pick 39: Jarrod Cameron (Swan Districts)
Rookie: Josh Smith (Collingwood)