Billiluna player eyes AFL future

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

The 20-year-old from remote Kimberley community Billiluna, 820km east of Broome, has been selected out of countless hopefuls for Fox 8's upcoming television show The Recruit.

The national reality show will pit selected AFL hopefuls aged 20 or older against one another in a 10-week series of matches and training drills. The eventual winner will be handed a rookie listed contract with an AFL club.

Manson, a forward for hometown club Billiluna in the East Kimberley Football League, has represented Northern Territory Football League team 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," he 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 AFL star Des Headland who has been appointed the player's chaperone.

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

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

When knowledge of a survey plane leaving Balgo emerged, Manson had to promptly fly to Broome, 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."

Garnduwa football development co-ordinator Michael Farmer, who had been helping Manson with training, said it was a fantastic opportunity for the sport in the region.

"There is so much talent in the region - this is more exposure not only just to Waylen, but to the Kimberley as a whole," he said.