Farrow becomes fifth WA AFL debutant of 2026

Former West Perth and WA under-18s young gun Jacob Farrow is set to become the State’s fifth AFL debutant of 2026 in an exciting moment for the top-10 draft pick.

Essendon will blood the talented half-back/midfielder in their Round 3 clash against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

The Bombers took Farrow, an AFL Under-18s All-Australian who also impressed for the Falcons’ seniors last season, with pick No.10 is last year’s AFL National Draft.

The 18-year-old Joondalup-Kinross JFC product featured in both of Essendon’s pre-season games and starred in his VFL debut for the Bombers last weekend with 31 disposals – at 93 per cent efficiency – to go with a goal.

He follows in the footsteps fellow West Aussies – East Fremantle talent Milan Murdock (West Coast), Peel Thunder pair Michael Sellwood (Western Bulldogs) and Mitch Edwards (Geelong) and Claremont’s Zane Zakostelsky (Brisbane Lions) – to make his AFL debut in 2026.

 

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“It’s honestly a dream come true. The boys all got around me in the gym when Scotty announced it and it all felt pretty surreal. I’m just so excited to get out there on Saturday night,” Farrow told the club website.

“Telling Mum and Dad was really special. Mum was in tears straight away – they were both just super happy for me.

“I’m really proud to make it to this point after a big couple of years. To be picked up by such a good Club and connect with the boys straight away, and now get the chance to run out with them at Marvel – it’s a pretty cool thing.

“To run out under the banner in the Essendon kit in front of the fans, it’s going to be unbelievable. I can’t wait.”