Jed Hagan could stay in WA as Fremantle looms as suitor in AFL national draft

With the AFL draft now just one month away, many are already predicting what the order will look like and for Geraldton fans, Jed Hagan could end up staying in WA. Reuben Ginbey is the top WA draft prospect and is expected to be snapped up inside the top 10 and possibly as high as pick 6 with reports Gold Coast are keen on the under-18 championships WA MVP. Hagan was one of the other few bright spots in that tournament for WA which saw his draft stocks greatly improve. However, Hagan missed the combine earlier in the month because of injury, denying him the opportunity to show his stuff in front of the talent scouts over east. This has seen him drop into the late second or third-round draft slots, which could see him stay inside his home State with both the Herald Sun and ESPN putting him between picks 30 and 45. Fremantle don’t enter the draft until pick 30 which they will likely use on the best remaining tall option to cover the loss of Rory Lobb, Griffin Logue and Lloyd Meek. But Hagan could come in at their next pick at 44 with teams wary of drafting out-of-state prospects given the strong go-home factor over the recent seasons, particularly for Brisbane and GWS who have six picks in the range. The small utility is highly rated for his speed and reliability with ball in hand with the ability to swing from midfield to the forward half.