Milan Murdock’s immediate AFL success after graduating from the WAFL inspiring next wave of State league stars

Tasmania’s looming arrival into the AFL is set to spark a boom in mature-age recruits and list managers will have their eyes on the biggest stars of the WAFL, experts say. The addition of the extra team from 2028 will mean at least 44 new players will be added to lists, stretching the sport’s talent pool. It leaves the WAFL primed for a run of recruits, with football legend Matthew Richardson expecting clubs to be scouring the nation for the next Milan Murdock after his impressive immediate impact for West Coast. “The talent pool is just going to be stretched even further, and I really think they’re going to be more mature-aged prospects coming out of the WAFL, SANFL and VFL as a result,” Richardson told The West. “You might get out at 23 and 24 and be ready to go as a ready-made player.” Murdock landed at West Coast this year after years of dominating the WAFL. He was passed over in a succession of drafts and was overlooked by the Eagles despite doing an 11th hour medical at the club before last year’s mid-season draft. But the three-time Simpson medallist exploded onto the stage last month and was among West Coast’s best players in both of their first two matches before a hamstring strain put a halt to his dream start. Now his immediate success is inspiring other State league stars to continue on a path towards the AFL at an age where playing for cash in the country or with mates in amateur competitions is strong. West Perth’s Kane Bevan — already one of the WAFL’s best midfielders at just 21 years old — told The West Australian Murdock’s rise left him optimistic there was still time to get on a list. Bevan said he would not give up on that dream and declared he could have an impact at an AFL club straight away if given the chance. “He’s 25, he was probably thinking his journey was finished, but seeing that, it just goes to show if you keep your head down and keep working hard, you can get your foot in the door,” he said. “We’ve seen what he’s been able to do in the last couple of weeks since he’s got his opportunity, so that’s where I sit. I’m just biding my time, waiting for an opportunity, and preparing myself as best I can for if it arrives. “I know I can hit the ground running and have an impact and a really good crack at it.” When asked if he had considered reaching out to Murdock for advice, Bevan replied: “I’ve actually been thinking about it the last couple of weeks”. “I’d love to have a chat with him. Obviously, he’s been through a similar journey — his probably even more (difficult), with the amount of times he’s banged on the door and been knocked back,” he said. “It is inspiring for a bloke like myself to see that happen and see him get that opportunity.” Richardson said mature-age players have success on lists because they have ready-made bodies and more settled lives off the field. He compared them to American athletes, who complete college and enter professional leagues like the NBL and NFL well after they’ve graduated high school. “If you look at the NFL in America, most of the guys go to college for three or four years and don’t play pro ball until they’re 22-23,” Richardson said. “We expect guys to be ready when they’re 18, but I think there is a bit to be said, and going back to the VFL and add two, three, four years to develop your craft because some guys just aren’t ready when they’re 18.” In the meantime, Richardson said recruiters should be looking to bolster their lists with players boasting several years of State league experience. “I’ve seen it through Richmond’s VFL program; they’ve had a lot of players who missed out initially, like Massimo D’Ambrosio, like Sam Durham or like Tom McCarthy at the Eagles now,” he said. “I think if you don’t get drafted initially in that under-18s year, I’d be going to take a good club in one of the state leagues.” McCarthy started this season in West Coast’s midfield after also rocketing onto the stage late last season. Talent guru Mick Ablett said Murdock’s story shared some early similarities with the journey of Eagles champion Matt Priddis — who went on to win the Brownlow Medal in 2014 after being overlooked in three drafts. “What he does is he gives hope to every young footballer out there in the country that gets over looked as an 18-year-old or 19-year-old to go back to State league football and continue to ply your trade there,” Ablett said. “He just backed up week after week, year after year.” “He would’ve faced a lot of adversity, he would’ve been told that he wasn’t big enough or he wasn’t quick enough, but that self-belief and ability to continue to work hard has given him an opportunity he’s grabbed with both hands.” Ablett said Murdock was “not the first and won’t be the last” player to have an immediate impact at the top level after graduating from the State league and picked out Bevan, Perth key defender Elijah Scoble and dashing Subiaco half-back Galen Savigni as three prime candidates to follow in his footsteps. “There’s plenty of talent in the WAFL that could make their way onto an AFL list, but it’s just about persistence, and Milan Murdock’s shown that in spades,” he said.