AFL Draft 2024: Peel Thunder defender Joel Brown on missing Under-18 selection, playing alongside Dockers

If AFL recruiters are looking for resilience then Joel Brown would be their man. The 194cm Peel Thunder defender has turned the disappointment of missing out on selection for the WA Under-18’s side in this year’s championships into a state draft combine invite this Sunday. Brown, 18, has shot into the draft picture after an impressive season for the Mandurah-based club, where he managed to break through for eight league games in a side stacked with Fremantle-listed talent. It is a just reward for the Donnybrook-product, who moved to Perth this year as he looked to get the best out of himself on the footy field. Unfortunately, for Brown it hasn’t all gone his way, watching on as his fellow AFL hopefuls represented WA after he was overlooked for the Under-18 National Championships. “I was flat for a few days as expected,” Brown said on missing selection. “And then I got back to work and I wanted to see where I could go without being in the state program.” Brown’s resilience was rewarded when he made his league debut for Peel in round 13 against Subiaco, where he found himself tasked with taking on dual Bernie Naylor medallist Ben Sokol. “Playing league footy gave me a lot of confidence. It was a good opportunity and it came in handy to get an invite to the state combine,” Brown said. “Taking on the key forwards from all levels like Sokol and (Jack) Mayo, I learnt a lot from them. “Sokol was a good player, that was on my debut, he is very smart.” Brown not only got a crash course in defending from playing on some of the league’s best forwards, but he got a close look at the art of being a backman from playing alongside several Dockers. “They were so good, really experienced. I played a few games with Brennan Cox and James Aish, they’re really good role models,” he said. “It was crazy to play with them and see what they can do. “Playing with experienced backman like Hugh Davies, I learnt a lot from Hugh. Playing with experienced players and on good opposition, I can always take something out of it.” While like most of his contemporaries, Brown is hoping to have his name called out in one of the drafts next month. But he is also aware that in the modern game there are plenty of ways to make it onto an AFL list. “Playing AFL or even just being on a list would be crazy and amazing, but if that doesn’t work out I’m happy to give it another crack and push for another season at Peel in the league,” he said. “My goal is to get on an AFL list, if that’s as a rookie or SSP (pre-season supplementary signing period) I’ll take my opportunities as I get them.” WA State Combine Invitees Hugh Boxshall Age: 18 Club: Claremont Position: Midfielder A ball magnet who was unlucky to not get an invite to the national combine after strong AFL interest. Charlie Burke Age: 18 Club: Subiaco Position: Wing A hard-running midfielder who bordered on a league debut at the Lions towards the end of the season. Isiah Winder Age: 22 Club: South Fremantle Position: Midfielder-Forward Former West Coast player who rediscovered his best footy at the Bulldogs this year as he looks for a third chance in the AFL. Tom Bell Age: 18 Club: South Fremantle Position: Defender A promising defender who won’t be able to do any of the testing because of injury but impressed with his athleticism at the Bulldogs. Joel Brown Age: 18 Club: Peel Thunder Position: Key Defender Missed out on Under-18 selection, but rebounded to play eight league games at Peel to become a draft smokey. Loch Mactaggart Age: 18 Club: Perth Position: Midfield/Forward A savvy ball user who had a good season at the Demons. Made headlines for a massive mark earlier this year. Darcy Petersen Age: 18 Club: Peel Thunder Position: Key Defender A promising defender who had his Under-18 Championships campaign cut short by a knee injury. Max Rohr Age: 19 Club: Claremont Position: Ruck/Forward Showed maturity by leading the ruck in Claremont’s reserves side and played forward for Under-18 team where he kicked four goals against South Australia.