AFL Draft 2022: WA’s Elijah Hewett to test his mettle against prospective no.1 pick Will Ashcroft in under-18s

WA young gun Elijah Hewett faces a draft defining showdown with Vic Metro’s Will Ashcroft this weekend in a head-to-head battle with the potential to shape West Coast’s draft strategy. Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett indicated this week that while the club would not rule out splitting their first round pick at the draft, they would be reluctant to do it and would need to be convinced their circumstances fit it. West Coast remain in the race to lure Luke Jackson from Melbourne and Liam Baker from Richmond but are believed to be more hopeful than confident. AFL rules dictate that they must take at least one first-round pick this year because they have traded out first-round picks in recent years. That would mean they would almost certainly have to split their pick to two later selections in the first round to use one of them to trade for either Jackson or Baker. The alternative would be to retain one pick at the top end of the draft if they believed a player in the draft pool warranted the investment. “We are more likely to stay (with one pick),” Nisbett said. “You never say never in a draft situation. But we will probably be going that way.” The West Australian understands that 16 of the 18 AFL clubs have already spoken to Hewett, regarded as one of three outstanding WA prospects for this year with East Perth key defender Jed Busslinger and Royals midfielder Reuben Ginbey. Busslinger, a 196cm athlete, is regarded by his peers as the best player in the WA talent pool but the Eagles have Tom Barrass secured a on a long-term deal with Rhett Bazzo and Harry Edwards coming through, on top of veteran Jeremy McGovern. Some recruiters believe Ginbey is the most talented but least exposed of the WA boys and will emerge as the best player from here at the national under 18 championships. WA play their first match of the championships against Vic Metro at Ikon Park in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon. The clash between Hewett, a star for Swan Districts in last year’s colts finals and as an under age player in under 18s matches in 2021, and Ashcroft, son of former Brisbane star Marcus and rated as the most professional and AFL ready young midfielder in this year’s draft pool, will go some way to indicating Hewett’s draft position. West Coast are not out of the race for Jackson but have been exploring fresh ruck options in the draft pool. It is understood that a team of recruiters recently spent time in South Australia looking at ruck prospects including West Adelaide teenager Harry Barnett and South Adelaide’s Will Verrall.