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Toast Welcome to Fremantle Toby Whan - Category B Rookie via NGA in the 2025 AFL Draft

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Bloody stoked that Toby will be in purple!

41 and 4 in a game this year for Souths, booming left foot, huge upside.

Welcome aboard my son!!!

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Toby Whan

Position: Midfielder
Club: South Fremantle
height: 184 cm
weight:
D.O.B: 09-05-2007

STRENGTHS:

  • Accumulation
  • Consistency
  • Kicking penetration
  • Running capacity

IMPROVEMENTS:
  • Efficiency
  • Speed

Toby Whan heads into November as one of Western Australia’s likely draft hopes. The Fremantle Next Generation Academy member has the ability to break through defensive zones with his penetrating left boot. His knack for finding the ball at will in all conditions is another hallmark of his game.

The silky on-baller was consistently brilliant for the Bulldogs across his 12 matches in the WAFL Colts. His 41-disposal, four-goal game against East Perth in Round 18 was one of the standout performances of the year, proving dominant in the wet conditions.

The season ended slightly early for Whan, who went off early in the losing Colts Grand Final. He still managed to get up for the WA state draft combine, running second in the 2km time trial with an effort of 6:11.

Prospective suitors will likely consider his durability when making a bid on draft night. If Whan does attract a bid it will more than likely fall on night two, which means Fremantle won’t have to give up much to secure him, making him a strong chance to stay in WA.

Whan garnered plenty of interest early in the season having put up big numbers at Colts level. He has proven by now to be a dominant player in the junior grade, so stepping up to senior level is what will truly elevate his draft stocks. Although, more games like this won’t hurt regardless of the level.

After a steady National Championships, there have been queries over Whan’s speed and whether his kicking is as effective as it is stylish. Having produced his best game to date, it is clear he can still work on his explosive speed, and that he performs best as an outside reciever.

Whan’s weapons are his running ability and penetrative ball use – the latter of which is somewhat smothered by being a primary ball winner. He moves intelligently as a secondary receiver at stoppages, where he can still take ground and have enough time to make damaging decisions.

Being tied to Fremantle via NGA status may subdue interest from other clubs, which essentially plays into the Dockers’ hands. Although, performances like his in Round 18 are unlikely to keep a lid on what he can become. The next challenge will be replicating that form in higher grades.

Source: https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/toby-whan/
 
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I have watched a few highlight videos so I am now an expert on Toby. Looks to have some good traits, seems to like a goal. A goal kicking winger, wouldn't that be awesome!

The one thing that really gives me pause is his apparent complete lack of a right foot. In one passage he screwed a left foot kick out of bounds where it just needed to be a right foot kick. His problem will be when opposition figure this put he will be corraled onto his right in pressure situations. Nick Suban found that out the hard way.

Not saying he can't be a handy player, but how the heck do players get to this level without being dual sided???
 
I've been a fan of Whan for a while now and watched pretty much all his games this year. He is that quintessential 60 metre player, run and bounce for 10 metres and kick it 50 metres with his long raking left foot. Saw him kick a couple of goals with his right this season too, so as much as he looks like a one-sided player he can and does use his other side.
He has that hurt factor with distance and around goals.
 

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African from non-indigenous parents seems dodgy. I'm from Kenya and it would be a little ridiculous to justify my kid needing NGA support.

But you tick the boxes that are there to be ticked
It's just about stealing athletes from other sporting codes, if the club or individual benefits it's a coincidence, that's why they ignore the blatant advantage of the northern academies, it's all about the AFL, fair comp be damned.
 
African from non-indigenous parents seems dodgy. I'm from Kenya and it would be a little ridiculous to justify my kid needing NGA support.

But you tick the boxes that are there to be ticked

Where do you set the line though? e.g. Ras was born there and (at least initially) eligible as a WC NGA on that basis - should he be in or out?
 

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African from non-indigenous parents seems dodgy. I'm from Kenya and it would be a little ridiculous to justify my kid needing NGA support.

But you tick the boxes that are there to be ticked
Born in Africa means African just like born in Australia means Australian. I would like to know the origin of the surname Whan though....mybe Boer?
 
Born in Africa means African just like born in Australia means Australian. I would like to know the origin of the surname Whan though....mybe Boer?
Yeah. Of course Africa isn't a country, it's a region.

Naively, I think the NGA is about pathways to assist with prospects who have some disadvantage or obstacle to become AFL players: race, ethnicity, regionality (?), culture. Access issues. That kind of thing.

There a fair difference between growing up in Australia as a white middle class kid (me) from Africa, to growing up in a refugee family from Sudan.

Ghost Pig is closer to reality though.
 

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Toast Welcome to Fremantle Toby Whan - Category B Rookie via NGA in the 2025 AFL Draft

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