Josh Kempton - The West Australian Discusses the State Draft Combine (12.10.2026)

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

What do you want, Mr. Hagen?

Josh Kempton (0:02)

I want my life back.

SPEAKER_1 (0:06)

On October 23rd, the procedure is causing troubling physical changes.

Josh Kempton (0:10)

What's happening to me?

SPEAKER_1 (0:12)

Look, fear. You have to learn to control it.

SPEAKER_3 (0:15)

In the face.

SPEAKER_1 (0:16)

I have no idea who you are anymore. Tell me who you want me to be.

Cray Face. Only in theaters October 23rd. We did all.

SPEAKER_4 (0:29)

This episode is brought to you by Tic Tac. Lace up and get your game on because the Tic Tac line up just got a new teammate. Dr. Pepper Tic Tac. This new double threat puts two of your favorite flavors into one box of mints. And when two iconic flavors come together, the result can only be iconic.

Score big. Try Dr. Pepper Tic Tac today.

Mark Duffield (0:52)

Welcome back to the SCNWA studio out here at Optus Stadium. On this Monday morning in Perth, we had the National Draft Combine a week or so ago. We were in the middle of trade period. And yesterday, it was time for the State Draft Combine, of course, ahead of the National Draft coming up.

Josh Kempton from The West Australian was there. He saw it all. He joins us on the show. Josh, welcome.

Josh Kempton (1:17)

Morning, Duff. Good to be with you.

Mark Duffield (1:19)

So, mate, a name that interests me and jumps off the page a little bit is the ones that tested yesterday at the State Draft Combine. Kane Johnson, the Perth key position player.

What sort of interest is there in Kane at AFL level, and who do you think is interested in him?

Josh Kempton (1:41)

It's interesting. There are definitely clubs interested in him. I saw him having chats with a few yesterday. He was pretty impressive at that Combine, he had to say. He tested pretty well in some of the sprint and jumping tests in the morning, I think he ran a 6-12 2K, he was right behind Harper Banfield, the West Coast failure, some prospects, pretty much that whole run and then Harper just about got him at the end. But a 6-12 2K at times, a key position player is going to be pretty impressive. But yeah, I'm not so sure West Coast and free medal in to Kane potentially, but I think there's a bit of interest in the Eastern Seaboard, but in the six or so weeks we had before the draft, I'm sure that will all accelerate and play out.

Mark Duffield (2:15)

So they see him as a key position player at either end of the ground, because he's been used at either end of the ground at Perth, hasn't he?

Josh Kempton (2:24)

Yeah, correct. A little bit more in defence at the back end of the year, but showed his, and I think that's where he's played most of his football before Perth this year, but showed some forward chops at the start of the year as well, where it was pretty impressive. But yeah, I think clubs like his versatility, but I think potentially as a key defender maybe in his AFL career. But again, we'll see what club gets him and how that all plays out.

Mark Duffield (2:43)

So how many players tested yesterday?

Josh Kempton (2:47)

Thirteen, I believe, was entitled. Yeah, so I think it was nine AFL and four AFL. What about you potentially?

Mark Duffield (2:55)

Yeah.

Harper Banfield, you mentioned him briefly, outstanding run in the 2K time trial. The Eagles went past Charlie Banfield, his older brother, last year. Do we think that Harper will have better luck? I noticed in your story in The West today, he was saying he still dreams of donning the jumper he's dad donned for the Eagles.

Josh Kempton (3:17)

Yeah. It was interesting to see Harper say it, obviously, when your brother gets overlooked, it's probably not great for him, but Charlie had a decent first year at St Kilda, a bit injured, interrupted, and then was down there supporting Harper yesterday. We know West Coast is tied on this spot, so it might be a little bit tough for Harper at West Coast potentially, but it's not beyond the realms of possibility, given he's a father-son. So we'll see how that plays out, but yeah, you couldn't say with any certainty. And Harper said yesterday, West Coast had certainly given him no guarantees that they would pick him up.

Mark Duffield (3:43)

It's interesting that West Coast are tight on lift spots. I think it's what is about six available at the moment, potentially a couple of more delistings before we head into the draft period. But that's kind of a club in West Coast position. You would think that they might be a little more active than that?