Walsh could become 13th State 18s young gun to debut in seniors

Highly-rated WA young gun Axel Walsh put his hand up for a senior WAFL finals debut with a dominant display for East Perth’s reserves last weekend.

The bottom-aged AAMI WA Football State 18s squad member amassed 20 disposals, 23 hit-outs, six clearances and booted three goals in his first game in the reserves as the Royals to be named best-afield in the comfortable win over Subiaco at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

East Perth coach Ross McQueen admitted during the week that the 202cm 17-year-old could “challenge the men” for senior selection in Sunday’s Elimination Final against South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval and couldn’t speak highly enough of him and his character.

If he does play, Walsh will become the 13th WA State 18s player to debut this season after Lucas Robinson and Cam Maynard (South Fremantle), Heath Mellody, George Gale and Benji van Rooyen (Claremont), Harper Banfield, Garrison Kenh and Cody Lee (West Coast), Leo Steed (Swan Districts), Frazer Rickson (Subiaco) and Harvey Spawton-Guy and Koby LeCras (West Perth).

“He’s a sneaky chance,” McQueen said at Tuesday’s WAFL Finals Launch at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

“Axel has trained with us a couple of times this year, we just haven’t had great access to him over the last couple of years because of school (football) programs and the State programs and the National programs.

“But he came in, trained last week, played in the reserves and was really keen to play.

“He was initially going to be away last weekend but that fell through and he said ‘I want to play reserves, I’ve been training with the seniors the last couple of weeks’.

“He played really well, finished the game strongly, kicked three goals late and did some freaky things.

“He’s a really good character and we know we’re not going to have him for a long time.”

Could we see a WAFL finals debut for bottom-aged East Perth talent Axel Walsh? Royals coach Ross McQueen admits he’s in consideration for a senior berth for Sunday’s Elimination Final against South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval after a stunning reserves debut last… pic.twitter.com/TLMQTz3WlF

— Jordan McArdle (@jordan_mc12) August 25, 2026

If he doesn’t get picked, Walsh is likely to feature in the Royals’ reserves Qualifying Final against Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.

It comes as Claremont coach Ash Prescott backed fellow State 18s players and Under-18s All-Australians Heath Mellody and George Gale to play a big role in finals after the pair impressed in their second senior outings against West Coast last weekend.

The Tigers take on Perth in Saturday’s Qualifying Final at Revo Fitness Stadium with Mellody and Gale heading into the game in hot form.

Heath produced a stunning second game of senior footy as Claremont defeated a fast-finishing West Coast by 33 points at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

The smooth-moving Tiger’s AFL Draft stocks continue to rise after winning the Larke Medal as the best player in the AFL National Under-18s Championships.

The Larke Medal winner showed he can do it at senior level as well, finishing with a game-high 34 disposals, 10 tackles, 10 clearances, seven inside 50s and a final-quarter goal against an Eagles side with 15 AFL-listed players.

State 18s co-captain Gale was also important in his second game, tallying 22 disposals and kicking a magnificent goal from the pocket.

“I think the club can take them into a big final because that’s what we’re about as a footy club,” Prescott told The West Australian.

“We’re about developing and giving young men an opportunity to play senior footy. And hopefully become the best they can be.

“They’ve been fantastic for the group. We’ve been challenged by injuries this year, so being able to bring a couple of lads in like that, it was really pleasing.

“They’ll only get better. It gets back to everyone tipping in and playing their role.”

From WA State 18s to senior WAFL debut

Claremont: George Gale, Heath Mellody, Benji van Rooyen

South Fremantle: Cam Maynard, Lucas Robinson

Subiaco: Frazer Rickson

Swan Districts: Leo Steed

West Coast: Harper Banfield, Garrison Kenh, Cody Lee

West Perth: Koby LeCras, Harvey Spawton-Guy