Seven Swans invited to the 2020 Draft Combine

Almost 180 AFL Draft hopefuls will test themselves around the country after personally being invited to participate in their respective states Draft Combines.

Clubs were asked to nominate their preferred list of attendees, with male and female players from the Swan Districts Football Club making up almost a third of those invited to participate in WA’s testing on September 30^th.

Each Combine is designed to assess each player’s strengths and skills in front of club recruiters through several tests including; 20-metre sprints, agility tests, vertical jump tests and more. Clubs are also able to conduct one-on-one interviews with all players, either at the Draft Combine in person or digitally.

These on and off field assessments assist AFL clubs in making key decisions for the upcoming NAB AFLW Draft on October 6^th and the AFL Draft in early December (exact date to be confirmed).

AFL and AFLW All-Stars matches will also be played, giving potential draftees the best opportunity to showcase their skills as they continue in their football journey into the elite competition. The women’s match will be held on Saturday September 26th, with the men playing two games on the 10^th and 17^th of October.

Denver Grainger-Barras and Zane Trew have been invited from the Swans men’s sides, while Shanae Davison, Mikayla Morrison, Mikayla Hyde, Brianna Hyde and Sarah Wielstra will be participating from the Swans women’s teams.

Find out a little more about each of our players below:

Denver Grainger-Barras

One of the favourites going into this year’s NAB AFL Draft is Swan Districts key defender, Denver Grainger-Barras.

Having tested as either above average or elite in preseason speed, agility and running vertical jump drills, Denver is incredibly athletic for his size, reads the play well and is a powerful intercept marker.

Denver started with Swan Districts at just 12 years old. He played outside of his age group in games and carnivals early on in his time at the club, spent just one season in the Colts (during the year he was turning 16), dominated as an under-ager in the 18s Championships and made his WAFL League debut last season.

Able to play on both small and tall forwards alike, he is a versatile player who has shown his ability to push up the ground and kick a goal when needed.

Denver played every WAFL League game this season, averaging over 10 possessions, 4.7 marks in defence and 2 tackles, across the 8 games.

Zane Trew

Breaking into an AFL team’s midfield can be quite a daunting feat. It takes natural talent, strong decision making skills and an elite work ethic.

One of the most exciting midfielders leading into this year’s draft, Zane Trew has been likened to Richmond’s Trent Cotchin in his style of play, professionalism and dedication to the game.

With talk around him being picked up as early as the first round, he is strong around the contest, composed under pressure and disposes of the ball with high proficiency.

Playing only 6 full games this season, due to being concussed early in round 3 and missing a couple of weeks, Trew averaged 28.2 disposals (despite being heavily tagged), almost 4 Inside 50’s and 7.2 tackles a game.

He finished second for total possessions at the Swans, just four disposals behind first, even though he played two less games than his team mate.

Shanae Davison

It’s been a whirlwind football journey so far for Shanae Davison, moving to Perth from Broome just a few years ago. The silky midfielder and talented forward could have quite easily gone down the basketball path if it wasn’t for a mate asking her to play at a local footy club.

After attending tryouts at Swan Districts, her skills were so obvious that she skipped playing Rogers Cup, and found her spot straight into the league side. She was offered a placement at the West Coast Eagles as part of the NAB AFL Women’s Academy in her first year.

In just her second season at AFLW level, she is a versatile, skillful player who excels in both dry and wet weather conditions.

Providing some great highlights in 2020, Shanae is all but certain to be given mark of the year after a huge hanger in Round 2 against Claremont.

Brianna Hyde

Having joined Swan Districts in 2015, Brianna Hyde’s game has seen rapid growth in just her second year of league football, impressing both coaches and teammates alike.

Starting her career initially as defender, she found herself in the backline after a coach decided to play her and her twin sister at separate ends of the ground, to help tell them apart.

As a natural reader of the game, 2020 saw Bri take on a new role as a midfielder at Swan Districts, helping teach her younger team mates the ropes and leading by example.

Her ability to intercept marks, run off half back and stay composed under pressure has been likened to current AFLW Fremantle Docker, Ebony Antonio.

Mikayla Hyde

A frequent receiver of best on ground votes in 2020, Mikayla Hyde has transformed her game to become one of the league’s most impressive midfielders in her second season of WAFLW footy.

With a huge tank and the ability to kick on both feet, she doesn’t shy away from pushing forward as an additional scoring option for her team, when needed.

Accurate in front of the big sticks, she reads the play well and uses her vast array of tricks to the advantage of both her and her team mates.

Not afraid to do the 1%ers for the benefit of her team, Mikayla is an in and under player who can also sit off the pack to provide run and carry.

Mikayla Morrison

Coming across to Swan Districts from East Perth for the 2020 season, Mikayla Morrison’s change in clubs may well pay off for her come this year’s AFLW draft.

Making the move in the hope to play league football, she quickly earnt her spot in the team and played every game in the senior side. She is elusive in congestion, hard to tackle and has the natural ability to help lift team mates around her. 

With the ability to play in almost any position across the ground, Mikayla spent most of her first season largely in the midfield.

She was one of only two players in the competition to kick at least 1 goal in every game (9), and finished second in the Joanne Huggins goal kicking count.

Sarah Wielstra

A raw, high-flying talent, Sarah Wielstra came to Swan Districts this season having played just one year of football in the amateurs.

Initially used up forward in her first game of the season, she quickly cemented her place as the number one ruck for the black and whites.

Imposing herself as a threat in the air, and able to use her body to advantage around the ground, her natural ability saw her defeat AFLW listed and other experienced rucks across the competition.

With strong stamina, an incredible leap and able to adapt quickly around the ground, expect Sarah to be considered for AFLW selection by a team needing a versatile tall with overflowing potential.

Please join us in wishing all seven players the best of luck as they look towards achieving their AFL and AFLW dreams in 2020.