AFLW Draft Combine 2023: East Fremantle star Mylee Leitch, Claremont bolter Ella Slocombe lead the way for WA at testing

Two draft bolters blitzed the West Australian AFLW draft combine on Sunday in stifling conditions, writes ELIZA REILLY.

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October 18, 2023 - 1:55PM

AFLW hopeful Mylee Leitch set the pace at the WA AFLW draft combine. Picture: Theron Kirkman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

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East Fremantle premiership star Mylee Leitch and Claremont bolter Ella Slocombe blitzed the West Australian AFLW draft combine on Sunday in stifling conditions.

Leitch, a forward/midfielder for the Sharks, recorded the best agility time in the country, completing the course in a blistering 8.321 seconds. Her time is the second-fastest in combine history behind Brisbane‘s Zimmie Farquharson.

The 19-year-old also recorded the equal-best running vertical jump in WA and finished top three in the two kilometre time trial and vertical jump. Standing at just 162 centimetres, the draft roughie has been a train-on at Fremantle this season after getting the chance to play in the AFLW National Championships as an overager.

Slocombe has further enhanced her bolter status with an outstanding combine. The Claremont star won the gruelling two kilometre time trial with a time of 7:52, ranking her equal-10th in the country. The 17-year-old also finished equal first in the vertical jump, equal-first in the running vertical jump and second in the 20 metre sprint.

Slocombe and Leitch’s running vertical jump height of 68 centimetres put the pair in the top 10 nationally.

Ella Slocombe’s combine results will do harm to her rising draft stocks. Picture: Theron Kirkman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Starting the year as no certainty to make WA’s Under-18 side, Slocombe is in contention to be the first name read out from WA after a breakout season with the Tigers.

Trent Cooper, the female coaching specialist for talent pathways at the West Australian Football Commission, has lauded the performance of Leitch.

“It’s an outstanding achievement by Mylee and to record the fastest time in Australia will keep her name in the frame for AFL clubs,” Cooper said.

“Ella Slocombe’s effort was also noteworthy, displaying her athleticism in several disciplines. In very warm conditions we were proud of the efforts of all who took part.”

First-round prospect Georgie Cleaver also performed strongly, finishing second in the two kilometre time trial after training her long-distance running for the past four-to-six weeks. The East Fremantle ruck/forward also finished equal-first in the vertical jump, third in the running vertical jump and third in agility.

Meanwhile, West Perth defender Liliana Grassenis’s agility result of 8.688 seconds ranked her 10th nationally. Grassenis also finished third in the 20 metre sprint in WA.

All-Australian Kaitlyn Srhoj was unable to complete the two kilometre time trial as temperatures surged past 30 degrees. Srhoj was suffering from hamstring awareness and it’s unclear if the Peel Thunder product will be able to attempt the test again at a later date.

The AFLW draft is due to be held at the end of the season.