Meet the Western Australians most likely to land at an AFL club in Wednesday’s mid-season draft

The West Australian’s draft writer Jordan McArdle looks at WA’s top prospects ahead of Wednesday’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft. Jack Buller Club: Claremont From: Cottesloe JFC/Scotch College Age: 22 Height: 199cm Weight: 99kg Position: Key forward/ruck Something pretty extraordinary will have to happen for Jack Buller to not be the first West Aussie called out in the Mid-Season Draft on Wednesday (May 31). Interest in the 22-year-old has drastically since his stunning 14-mark, four-goal performance against South Fremantle in round two, after reeling in 10 marks and booting 1.4 against reigning premiers West Perth in the season opener. The 199cm forward/ruck, who has drawn comparisons with Port Adelaide tall Charlie Dixon, has interviewed with five clubs including West Coast, Fremantle and more recently Hawthorn. It’s understood Buller has only asked for the minimum six-month draft contract, rather than 18 months like several others who have nominated for the draft, such is his desire to prove he can make it at the top level. Buller has kicked 64 majors in 45 league appearances and is getting better every year after missing out back in his draft year of 2019. Robert Hansen Jr Club: Subiaco From: Mines Rovers, Goldfields/Trinity College Age: 19 Height: 180cm Weight: 70kg Position: Small forward/wing Goldfields product and Subiaco speedster Robert Hansen Jr is on Walyalup’s radar as a potential long-term Michael Walters replacement, with five other clubs also speaking with the talented small forward/winger. The 19-year-old was overlooked in his draft year last year but has bounced back with a strong start to his league career at the Lions. He made his senior debut against East Perth in round two, kicking two goals, and has played every game since until the weekend when he missed with illness. Two-time Lions premiership coach Beau Wardman felt the small forward had the talent to make it at the top level and was impressed with his transition from colts to league. “He’s certainly been impressive with his training and I think his biggest attributes are his speed ahead of the ball and defensive pressure in the forward half of the ground,” Wardman told The West Australian. “He sees the game really well and is balanced and poised which has been important. He’s a quiet, unassuming kid around the group but certainly has a good understanding of the game. “If he could get that opportunity, whether that’s now or at the end of the year, I think he’s got enough talent there to make a really strong impact at the next level.” Jaiden Hunter Club: Perth From: Applecross JFC/Aquinas College Age: 21 Height: 196cm Weight: 93kg Position: Key forward Hunter was a surprise name among last week’s 11-player mid-season draft medical list, alongside fellow West Aussies Buller and Hansen Jr. It’s understood Richmond and Essendon have shown interest recently. It would be a remarkable story if the 21-year-old gets picked up after he was overlooked in his draft year and endured two seasons of injury hell after that with a serious elbow issue followed by a ruptured ACL. The 196cm talent, who has played everywhere from key forward to key defence and even in the ruck when the Demons’ colts were bereft of tall timber, made his league return against West Coast in round four and booted 4.3. He backed that up with two majors against reigning premiers West Perth and a career-high five in the Demons’ stunning upset over South Fremantle on Saturday in front of Bombers list boss Adrian Dodoro. Angus Schumacher Club: East Perth From: Bendigo Pioneers/Carlton Age: 24 Height: 194cm Weight: 84kg Position: Midfielder They say timing is everything and a Simpson Medal-winning performance in last week’s state clash will be Angus Schumacher’s chances of a long-awaited return to the top flight no harm at all. The gun East Perth midfielder was awarded the prestigious award as WA’s best player in their narrow loss to South Australia at Adelaide Oval with 19 possessions, four tackles and four inside 50s. The 24-year-old Bendigo Pioneers product, in his fourth year in the WAFL, feels he’s much better placed for a second shot in the AFL after one game in two seasons on Carlton’s list. The left-footer’s transformation from a half-back to prototype 194cm midfielder will no doubt have caught the attention of AFL recruiters. “I think I’ve grown a lot since I’ve had my chance at Carlton and really developed as a player and a person,” Schumacher said. “If another opportunity came, I think I’d be ready to grab it with both hands.” The injury-hit Sydney, who have two picks in the draft, have shown some late interest in Schumacher. Reuben McGuire Club: East Fremantle From: Willetton JFC/Wesley College Age: 21 Height: 196cm Weight: 94kg Position: Ruck/forward The athletic East Fremantle tall has made the most of his added time in the ruck after the off-season retirement of veteran Jeremy Goddard, averaging 18 disposals, 15.5 hit-outs and five marks this year. He’s long been on the radar of Essendon who currently have nine players on their injury-list including several talls. It’s understood Adelaide were also keeping a close eye on the 21-year-old but opted not to use a mid-season pick. McGuire has played 30 league games for the Sharks, booting 15 goals, and has plenty of X-Factor about him and a hell of a leap. Quinton Narkle Original WAFL club: Perth (currently playing for Essendon VFL) From: Maddington/Wesley College Age: 25 Height: 182cm Weight: 83kg Position: Midfielder Former Geelong midfielder and Perth product Quinton Narkle has been building form nicely for his new club and VFL outfit Essendon. The 25-year-old was delisted by premiers Geelong at season’s end after playing 41 games in five seasons before an unsuccessful train-on stint with Richmond. The Tigers opted to pick up raw tall forward Kaelan Bradtke before Jason Castagna’s shock retirement just after the SSP deadline which would’ve opened the door for Narkle as well. Richmond and Essendon seem the likely destinations for the speedster’s second AFL chance if he gets one.

Meet the Western Australians most likely to land at an AFL club in Wednesday’s mid-season draft

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