West Adelaide’s John Noble chance to be picked up in AFL mid-season draft

West Adelaide wingman John Noble’s game has vastly improved, to such an extent he has attracted interest from AFL clubs and will have the chance to impress in Sunday’s SANFL v WAFL game.

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West Adelaide wingman John Noble will have a prime stage to showcase his talents for AFL clubs when he dons the state jumper for a clash against the WAFL at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Not only will the leading players from the state league leagues in SA and WA be involved in the contest, the game is the curtain-raiser to the AFL clash between Fremantle and Richmond.

Noble, son of former Adelaide head of football David, has taken a significant step towards earning a spot on an AFL list, after being requested to do a medical for the mid-season draft.

It proves there is interest in his services at the next level, because clubs must lodge the names of up to three players for the medical test on May 22. The draft is five days later.

Glenelg’s Cory Gregson and Lachlan Hosie, and Norwood’s Matt Nunn have also been asked to attend the medical, to be conducted by the AFL.

“Obviously the dream is to play in the AFL and it is exciting to be asked to do the medical and think clubs might be interested,” Noble said.

“But at this stage I’ve not spoken to anyone and it is what it is.

I’ll play it down and just focus on playing footy.

“It’s exciting to be playing in the state game and it is nice reward for effort, it’s a great opportunity. WA is a strong, hard-running team and they have some very good talent.

“But we feel confident in what we can bring.”

WA will enter the game as favourite, given it has won the past two games against SA, including last year at Adelaide Oval when it used pace as a valuable weapon.

The SA selectors are hoping the inclusion of Redlegs pair Anthony Wilson and Dom Barry, plus Sturt veteran Danyle Pearce will provide the necessary speed on the big ground.

The attack has plenty of firepower, with Jack Hayes, Jono Beech and Troy Menzel, while Matt Rose, Jack Stephens and Chris Curran, named on the half back line, have been in outstanding form.

SANFL v WAFL

Optus Stadium, Perth, Sunday, 1.30pm

Live steam sanfl.com.au