Anxious wait for Great Southern’s best AFL draft chance Arthur Jones

WA draft bolter Arthur Jones admits he is nervous ahead of a potential life-changing moment this week. The 2021 AFL national draft begins on Wednesday night, with more than 800 players around Australia registering their interest. Jones, a Mt Barker Bulls product, has burst into draft calculations after a terrific season with Claremont in the WAFL and Wesley at Public Schools Association level. He is the Great Southern’s best chance of having a player picked up by an AFL club. After a stand-out season, Jones has been likened to three-time AFL premiership player Bradley Hill. The 18-year-old said it was an exciting week to be involved in. “I’m feeling obviously nervous because this could be a life-changing moment but also know I might not get drafted, so I’m just trying to not put all the eggs in the basket,” he said. “It’s exciting every day waking up knowing how close my dreams are, but just nervous. “I’m not going to try to prepare myself in any special way for draft night. “I’m just going to go with the flow of the wave and if it happens to be the night my name gets called I’m going to be over the moon, but if it doesn’t I’ve always got next year to try my hardest to follow my dreams.” Jones said despite chatting to several clubs in the lead-up, he wasn’t sure where he might end up if selected. “I haven’t really heard too much from any of the clubs lately,” he said. “The clubs are very good at keeping their poker faces and not revealing information before the big night.” Jones bolted into draft calculations a week before the WAFL colts decider with a dominant performance for WA against South Australia as a curtain raised game to the AFL grand final at Optus Stadium. He also tested well at the national combine and played in two of WA’s State matches in front of AFL recruiters. Jones said he would watch the draft with his family. The national draft will be held across two days starting at 4pm WA time and broadcast live on Fox Footy, Kayo and the official AFL Live app. The first round of the draft, containing 18 selections, will be announced on Wednesday night, and the second round onwards will be held on Thursday night. Other Great Southern players to nominate for the draft are Claremont’s Tom Baldwin, Jacob Blight, Talon Delacey, Kieran Gowdie and Timm House.