Kimberley footballer chases AFL dream

Waylen Manson has always dreamed of playing AFL football, and he will now have a chance to prove that he is good enough - in front of millions of television viewers.

The 20-year-old from remote Kimberley community of Billiluna, 180km south of Halls Creek, has been selected out of countless hopefuls for Fox 8's upcoming television show The Recruit.

The reality show will pit selected AFL hopefuls against one another in a 10-week series of matches and training drills. The winner will be handed a rookie-listed contract with an AFL club.

Manson, a forward for Billiluna in the East Kimberley Football League, has also played in the Northern Territory Football League with the Waratahs.

The athletic attacker has also caught the eye of AFL scouts in Melbourne and WA.

The producers of The Recruit approached Kimberley Football Association general manager Brett Angwin to gauge if there was anyone in the region suitable, with Manson the obvious choice.

"When we were approached by the producers of the show, knowing his ability, Waylen was our immediate first choice," Angwin said.

"We have a lot of faith in him and feel he has the ability to win the show."

Manson travelled to Melbourne last Friday with former Fremantle Dockers star Des Headland, who has been appointed as the player's chaperone.

However, Manson's dream was almost over before it had started - as he struggled to get out of regional WA due to torrential flooding.

The up-and-coming star had been visiting family in Balgo, 100kms south of Billiluna, and was effectively stranded.

When knowledge of a survey plane leaving Balgo emerged, Manson had to fly to Broome at the drop of a hat, taking a six-hour plane journey without any preparations.

"Waylen had to just up and leave or he wouldn't have got there," Angwin said.

"He had to leave at the drop of a hat, without any kit or equipment.

"Peter and Lorna Hanna of Sportspower in Broome have been good enough to donate boots and kit for him."