State Talent and DraftAAMI WA Football State 18s squad picked for expanded winter program
Jordan McArdle
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21 Apr 2026
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A host of AFL recruiters will descend on Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday morning as Western Australia’s under-18s ramp up their preparation for the upcoming national championship.
The State 18s take on a WAFL under-21s outfit which has several players looking to put their best foot forward ahead of the AFL Mid-Season Draft later this month.
AFL Academy talents Fred Rodriguez, coming off an EGT WAFL Colts Player-of-the-Round 32-disposal performance for South Fremantle last weekend, Cody Curtin (Claremont) and Wes Walley (Subiaco) are among the leading National Draft prospects for the WA under-18s.
West Perth midfielder Sam Swadling has been in hot form heading into WA’s first practice match, with 42, 40 and 39 possessions in his last three outings.
The WAFL under-21s have plenty of players with senior experience, including Peel Thunder recruit Archie Caldow who’s caught the eye in his debut season in the west and East Fremantle premiership utility Jack Cleaver.
Reigning WA under-18s MVP Jaxon Artemis and recently South Fremantle league debutant (pictured above) and Under-18s All-Australian defender Clancy Dennis (Claremont) are a couple of other notable names hoping to earn a chance in the upcoming mid-season draft on Wednesday 28 May.
Six WAFL products realised their AFL dreams at last year’s mid-season draft – Jacob Blight (Peel Thunder), Jasper Scaife (West Perth), Luker Kentfield (Subiaco to Melbourne), Brynn Teakle (East Fremantle) and Darcy Craven (East Perth).
WA’s National Under-18s Championship opener is against Vic Country in Perth (venue TBC) on Saturday 7 June at 10am.
Saturday’s trial match kicks off at 10am.
WA’s National Under-18s Championship fixtures
V Vic Country (home, venue TBC) on Saturday 7 June
V South Australia (away, venue TBC) on Sunday 15 June
V Allies (away, venue TBC) on Sunday 29 June
V Vic Metro (home, venue TBC) on Sunday 6 July
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WA Football acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the many lands across Western Australia where we train, play, and come together through football. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people. We recognise the deep and continuing contribution First Nations peoples make to our game and our communities.
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