Co-captains named for AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys

Swan Districts midfielder-forward Leo Steed and Claremont on-baller George Gale have been voted in as co-captains of the AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys ahead of the upcoming AFL National Under-18s Championship.

Bunbury product Steed has enjoyed a bright start to his Sullivan Logistics WAFL career, cementing his spot in Swan Districts’ line-up and making an impact in the midfield and up forward.

He’s averaging 13 disposals, three tackles and a goal across his first six games including 18, seven tackles and two goals last round against Subiaco.

Gale, the son of former Fremantle and St Kilda player Mark, has also been in red-hot form, playing a mix of EGT WAFL Colts, PSA and State 18s trial games.

The 190cm talent is averaging 31 disposals, six marks and four tackles in his three Colts appearances for the Tigers this season after featuring in their Grand Final-winning side last year.

RELATED ARTICLES

• Co-captains named for AAMI WA Football State 18s Girls
• Former WA State 18s Boys MVP, captain taken with pick one in Mid-Season Draft
• Kia WAFL State Team beat SANFL at home for first time in 11 years
• State 18s down WAFL Under-20s in a thriller

AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys coach Marc Webb labelled the co-captains as “two quality people” who were standout leaders among the group.

“It’s a real positive that two guys have really stood out above the group, gaining votes from nearly everyone,” Webb said.

“The real positive for Leo is that despite his inability to play many trial games because of his senior football commitments, he’s still held in such high esteem to be selected.

“Steedy is a dogged competitor and really led the way in the pre-season with his standards and work rate.

“Galey is another one who’s grown his game and had such a big impact as well.

“They’re two quality people and we’re excited to have them leading.”

The pair form part of a seven-player leadership group alongside Claremont pair Benji van Rooyen and Harper Banfield, South Fremantle midfield bull Lucas Robinson, East Fremantle livewire Fin Yeo and West Perth key forward Harvey Spawton-Guy.

Banfield will follow in his older brother Charlie’s footsteps in being part of the State 18s leadership group.

Charlie was among the leaders last year before getting drafted to St Kilda in the AFL National Draft.

“It was such a tight vote beyond the co-captains and it’s a larger group but within that band, they all bring different qualities,” Webb said.

It comes as Claremont midfielder Noah Braun and Swan Districts talent Taj Allan have been added to the State 18s squad.

AAMI WA Football State 18s squad

Claremont: Benji van Rooyen, George Gale, Heath Mellody, Robby Farmer, Elijah Dennis, Harper Banfield, Elijah Williams, Jacob Kee, Tom Brown, Noah Braun

East Fremantle: Cooper Ramsay, Finlay Yeo, James Artemis, Oscar Richardson, Marcus Motton, Ben Wood

East Perth: Garrison Kenh, Axel Walsh, Lachlan McGlade, Ethan Turner

Peel Thunder: Mitch Stirling

Perth: Jayden Clarke, Fynn Tomasini, Cody Lee

South Fremantle: Heath Wilson, Byron Foster, Lucas Robinson, Cam Maynard, Conor Bushe-Jones, Hudson Graham

Subiaco: Kyan Perera, Frazer Rickson, Sam O’Brien

Swan Districts: Taj Allan, Leo Steed, Sheldon Pickett

West Perth: Koby LeCras, Harvey Spawton-Guy, Rafe Williamson, Maxim Collins, Campbell Creyk

Train-on players: Lachlan Sheldrick (Claremont), Damien Newry (Claremont), Noah Hannaford (East Fremantle), Hunter Hearn (East Fremantle)

WA’s AFL National Under-18s Championship fixtures

Saturday, June 13: v South Australia at Mineral Resources Park (10.30am)

Saturday, June 20: v Vic Metro at Cockburn ARC (11am)

Friday, July 3: v Vic Country in Melbourne (venue and time TBC)

Wednesday, July 8: v Allies in Melbourne (venue and time TBC)