There are some talented players in the WAFL who could quite potentially be at the pointy end of this year’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.
WA talent manager Adam Jones has identified a trio in particular who he believes may be given an opportunity by an AFL club later this month.
Emerging West Perth key forward Jasper Scaife is one name being thrown around after a promising beginning to the 2024 season.
The 197cm Scaife, 20, has kicked eight goals in five WAFL games this year and is in the mix alongside key defender Jacob Blight (Peel Thunder) and midfielder/forward Jed Hagan (East Fremantle).
“There could potentially be a couple of guys taken,” Jones said on SEN WA’s The Run Home.
“You’re hearing Jasper Scaife’s name being raised. He’s had a fantastic start to the year. He came through our (WA) state academy a couple of years ago.
“Jacob Blight more recently being reported with interest as a key defender.
“We’re hearing that the key defensive stocks nationally are just so limited, so if a club has no depth in that position then guys in the state leagues will be looked at strongly.
“Jed Hagan is another one. He went over to Port Adelaide last year, he’s come back this year to East Fremantle and has had a really strong start to the year.
“On the weekend with Brisbane losing a couple of players to ACLs, that might mean another couple of players might get a look-in at this mid-season draft as well.”
Specifically regarding Blight, the 23-year-old is reportedly being considered by North Melbourne with Pick 1 in the mid-season draft.
Blight has been overlooked in previous years but could get his chance in 2024 after showing plenty of persistence.
“He’s a fantastic story, ‘Blighty’. He was thereabouts in his 18s year, he just wasn’t quite at state level,” Jones added.
“I met him a couple of times and one thing he had was a really steely determination.
“If he is lucky enough to get his chance it’s a fantastic story for other kids that perseverance is the absolute key. Not to give up, to ply your trade in the WAFL and you never know when your chance will come.”
Blight, who played for Claremont last year, is averaging 19.2 disposals and 7.6 marks for Peel across five WAFL games.
Another WAFL star who could be considered in the mid-season draft is East Fremantle ruckman Brynn Teakle.
The 25-year-old was selected by Port Adelaide out of the Sharks in the 2022 mid-season draft before being delisted by the Power at the end of last season.
“He’s a good chance to play in the WAFL state team, not this weekend but next,” Jones said of Teakle.
“He’s certainly had a really strong start the year in the WAFL. I’m not 100 per cent sure of the level of interest in Brynn this time around, but you would have to suspect that he would be one of the next best ruckmen outside of the AFL.
“So all it’s going to take is a club that might need someone for him to get another opportunity. He’d be around the mark if a club needs a ruckman.”
Teakle is averaging 38.6 hit-outs, 16 touches, 3.8 marks and has kicked five goals this season.
He trained with Collingwood during the pre-season supplemental selection period but missed a spot on the club’s list.
The 2024 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft takes place on May 29.
Image credit: WAFL.
