Local Bailey Maxwell selected for the NAB AFL WA State Combine

A Manjimup young gun with big dreams of making it to the AFL is one step closer to achieving his goal.

Bailey Maxwell was the only lower South West footballer — and one of only 12 in all of WA — invited to the 2022 State Combine on October 16, where he will have the chance to show off his abilities to every AFL club.

Bailey said being in the combine means he is in the best place to get drafted, however, he is realistic about his chances of getting selected.

“Being from the country and not playing State (footy) before makes me the new guy and they’ll be wanting to see what I can do,” he said.

Bailey said despite having a few setbacks this year including COVID and injuries, he has been recognised for his speed and athleticism which is not common in footballers at his height of 200cm.

Bailey said he had a great start to the season this year with the East Perth Colts which he credits as to why he made the combine selection.

“I played seven to eight games of semi-consistent football and I got the credit for it,” he said.

Bailey has undertaken four years of development starting with the South West Development program at age 13. Bailey went on to play in the WAFL Futures program with East Perth, then in the Deanmill Colts team last year, before getting the invite to play for East Perth Colts in 2022.

“There is a huge workload involved, especially with the travel but football is great fun,” he said, “I’ve always loved training at a higher level.”

Bailey said he would love to be drafted after the State combine this year but his main aim is to make the WA State under-18s team next year to continue his development journey.

“The combine is my next big challenge and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

Bailey said he would like to thank South West talent and coaching manager, Jamie Douse, for his help and guidance over the past four years.