SOUTH Fremantle’s Toby Whan is one of Western Australia’s most eye-catching draft prospects in 2025, credit to a pair of standout traits. The midfielder is a well renowned runner and possesses a booming left boot – attributes which can break the play open and hurt the opposition when combined.
Whan recently achieved his second-straight top 10 finish in Yo-Yo Test at the recent state preseason combine. He has been getting the job done on-field too, coming off an 11-game Colts campaign which yielded third place in the best and fairest, behind fellow state representative Fred Rodriguez.
A member of Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy, the 17-year-old has spent time training with the Dockers during preseason. He has also been amongst the best of his peers in Western Australia’s summer training squad and last year’s National Futures program.
We spoke to Whan at the WAFL Colts preseason testing event, hosted by Rookie Me.
>> Preseason Q&As: Cody Curtin | Fred Rodriguez | Wes Walley
PRESEASON Q&A
Q: Toby, can you sort of give us a bit of a rundown into your footy journey?
A: From pretty young, ever since Auskick I was just following my brother and whatever he did. Dad played too. Ever since then I’ve just worked my way up.
Q: What was it like being part of the State and National Futures programs?
A: I was just really grateful for the opportunity of being able to travel and train with the top players that we’ve got here in WA. And then when we went over for the Futures game, it was just really good to see the talent and see where you sit. Just competing and training with them was really good.
Q: What about the experience of playing on the MCG?
A: Oh, it was so good. Sometimes you would sort of stop and look around and be like, ‘woah, this is actually the ‘G’.
Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?
A: Running, really attacking. I love to kick it on the left foot, so any chance I can get I’ll take grass and get on the left side.
Q: What are some of the key strengths in your game?
A: Just my running ability. Being able to cover the ground really well, hit high (kilometres) and run my opponents out of the game.
Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?
A: My strength in the contest and my explosive speed out.
Q: What goals have you set for yourself this year?
A: Just to play really consistent footy through the early parts of Colts footy, and then to play consistently through champs. Hopefully then I’ll play a League game at the back end of the year.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about this year?
A: I’m looking forward to playing with fellow South boy ‘Freddie’ (Rodriguez). Love playing with him and working hard with him. Then some other boys from the squad, I really like playing with Blake Kelly, Cody Curtin and those sorts of boys.
Q: Which AFL club do you support?
A: Richmond.
Q: Who’s had the most influence on your career?
A: Probably my older brother. He set a path to follow. He was playing pretty good footy so I just wanted to be as good or at least better than him.
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