WAFL colts 2023: Mitchell Edwards building towards early AFL draft selection at Peel Thunder

Staff writerPerthNow
VideoThe Peel Thunder ruckman and Fremantle Next Generation Academy member is considered a chance of being picked in the first round of the 2023 AFL draft.

Mitch Edwards is a Fremantle academy player who goes for Geelong - and could very well find his way to West Coast in this year’s AFL draft.

WATCH HIS HIGHLIGHTS IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

Considered one of WA’s leading draft prospects, the Peel Thunder ruckman has done nothing but enhance his prospects in the early stages of the season.

Edwards measures at the same height as Western Bulldogs star Tim English, 207cm, and has the matching blonde mop to boot.

He’s also got a fair few of the same attributes including his tap work and follow up in the contest.

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And while he has been training with the Dockers as part of their Next Generation Academy, the club is unlikely to be able to draft him. Current AFL rules mean NGA players are up for grabs by anyone if they are taken in the first 40 picks of the draft.

Edwards is, at this stage, considered a strong chance of being taken in the first 20.

While that’s bad news for Freo, it could be good news for the Eagles - particularly if they trade their first pick in the draft to try and nab multiple early selections.

Edwards recently impressed against senior bodies while playing for the AFL Academy against Carlton’s VFL side - picking up 11 disposals, 13 hit-outs, five marks and a goal in an eye-catching performance.

Speaking to The West Australian’s draft expert Jordan McArdle, he said a league debut at Peel was next on his list of goals.

Camera IconRuck Mitch Edwards takes a mark for Peel Thunder colts. Credit: Shazza J Photography/Shazza J Photography

“That’s 100 per cent one of my goals for this year, to at least play one league game so I’m keen to just keep working at that,” Edwards said.

The teenager has been one of the stars of the early rounds of the WAFL colts season - every game of which can be watched live, free and on demand on Streamer.

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