AFL Draft: Four South West products on invite list for National Combine as WA shapes for bumper draft crop

Four South West hopefuls have been invited to this year’s AFL Draft Combine as WA shapes up for one of its biggest and best draft crops. Busselton products Jye Amiss and James Tunstill, Augusta-Margaret River’s Kade Dittmar, and Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault’s Brady Hough are among 18 West Aussies to receive invitations, in a boost to their hopes of finding themselves on an AFL list. While all four are a genuine chance to be taken between the national draft and the rookie draft ahead of next season, Amiss and Dittmar are shaping as potential first-round prospects. Amiss has kicked a remarkably accurate 49.12 for East Perth in the colts this season, and even made his league debut at the Busselton Magpies this season. Dittmar made his senior debut at East Perth earlier this month on the back of an eye-catching performance in a State under-19s trial game at Claremont Oval. Dittmar, who would suit a side on the hunt for a ready-made, big-bodied midfielder, told Seven West Media he likened his game to that of West Coast Eagles premiership player and best and fairest winner Elliot Yeo. The pair’s East Perth teammate Tunstill also made his league debut for Busselton this season, kicking two goals, but more notably has established himself as a prolific ball-winner at colts level for the Royals. More AFL Draft The only member of the South West foursome not to be playing at the Royals, Peel Thunder’s Brady Hough has shot up the draft boards with a stellar season debut season in the colts. Earlier this season, WA Football Commission State talent manager Adam Jones said Hough had a nice combination of size and athleticism. “Brady Hough at Peel Thunder is one who’s really stepping up and looking like a draftable player,” he said. “ He’s a really nice size at 189cm, plays with a really good intensity and work ethic.” Hough finished his season with two games for his former club Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault, bringing his season tally to three — not enough to qualify him for finals. From the initial State-based combine, 60 will be selected for a national trial in mid-September. The son of Collingwood great Peter Daicos, Nick is set to join brother Josh at Collingwood as the No.1 selection in this year’s draft, which will be held later this year.