A Sherrin Football, the official match ball of the AFL. Photo: James Palumbo CC ND.

The AFL Draft is set to be held over three days this November. It is used as a tool for AFL clubs to manage their lists ahead of the upcoming season by bringing in some of the country’s best young talent.

Every year roughly 60 young men live out their childhood dream of making the AFL. It is an exciting time but it can also be extremely stressful, a lifetime of work all comes down to three days this November.

From November 20 to 22 the AFL draft will run, how does it work? Who will be selected? How do these kids get their names out there? 

This year’s draft features the best boys born in 2006 from around the country, with some people titling it as one of the best drafts talent-wise in years. 

Although these young men only become eligible to join an AFL list at the end of this year they are usually on the radar of AFL clubs and talent managers years in advance.

Empire Sports Management’s Anthony Van Der Wielen, manages the likes of Eagles star Tim Kelly and new Docker Shai Bolton said clubs begin to contact players well before the draft. 

“The conversations with clubs can begin early on, often well before the draft itself. It’s important to build those relationships throughout the year, as clubs are always on the lookout for emerging talent.”

Players can only be officially signed by talent groups after the draft the year prior to their draft said another manager Andrew McDougall from Corporate Sports Australia. For example a player hoping to be picked up in the 2025 draft, can only be officially signed to a management group from October 1 this year.

“There are rules around approaching young players which start October one and then you are only able to sign players after the National draft.” 

A player’s draft year can be stressful. The majority of players will represent their club at state league level and represent their state at a national carnival.

This time of year can also be extremely busy and stressful for not just players, but also their managers, Van Der Wielen said.

“The AFL draft period is certainly one of the busiest times of the year for a player manager. There’s a lot of work that goes into managing client expectations, liaising with clubs, and ensuring everything is in place for our players to achieve the best possible outcome.”

Some names from a West Australian perspective to keep an eye on, according to AFL.com draft expert Cal Twomey, include WA’s top prospect Peel Thunder midfielder Bo Allan, Claremont’s Hamish Davis and Malakai Champion from Subiaco and West Coast’s Next Generation Academy.

WAFL Football at Optus Stadium. Photo: James Palumbo CC ND.

One prospect who will be keeping a keen eye on the draft is South Fremantle defender Tom Bell. 

Bell is a 195cm key defender originally from Bunbury who spent the 2024 season playing for South Fremantle. This year was Bell’s first season playing for South Fremantle in the WAFL colt’s competition, which is under 19s.

Bell impressed recruiters so much that after just his second game he received a call up to The West Australian under 18s side. 

A moment Bell said made him realise his dream could become a reality.

“I only started to realise that AFL was a real possibility probably once I made the state team, before then I was just happy playing football but that made me realise maybe I’ve got a real chance of this.”

Bell would be considered a late bloomer, having not made a state or representative team before this year. He burst onto the scene in just his second WAFL game in round six of this year, leading AFL clubs to come calling.

“Clubs first started to get in contact with me towards the end of August,” Bell said.

With the draft combine testing now concluded, there isn’t much more he can do.

He said: “As the draft gets closer, the more nervous I get but I have to stay positive and hope things go my way.”