Jake Soutar Aims for Early Draft Selection Amid Recruitment Concerns

With the national AFL draft approaching, Jake Soutar from East Perth is positioning himself for a selection in the early second round to late first round. At 20 years old, he stands out among younger peers, showcasing his skills as a 190cm athletic intercepting defender.

Soutar's performance in 2026 has raised his profile, drawing attention to the challenges faced by older players in the draft system. Former Fremantle player Peter Bell expressed frustration over the AFL's focus on younger players, noting that many talented individuals like Soutar may be overlooked simply due to their age.

Bell highlighted that Soutar's journey reflects the potential of the WAFL system in developing players who may not have been ready at 18. As the league prepares for the addition of new teams, clubs will need to broaden their scouting efforts to include mature-age talents from state leagues to ensure a robust talent pool.