10 Emerging Stars In WAFL Season 2025Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - 2:49 PM

A new football season bringscomes a new crop of Colts athletes wanting to fulfil  their dreams of being drafted.

From those seeking to establish themselves as stars of the future, to players who are ready to compete for a premiership or be selected to play for Western Australia, there are endless stories to be told across the WAFL season.

Below is a snapshot of some of the brightest talents the WAFL has to offer in season 2025, and we’ll be introducing you to a bunch of them as the season goes on!

Fred Rodriguez

The leading Western Australian prospect in 2025, Rodriguez enters with the potential to be a top 10 draft pick come season’s end.

The big-bodied midfielder moves smoothly and hangs his hat on his contested football. Rodriguez averaged over 22 disposals per game in the WAFL Colts last year as a bottom-ager and displayed his elite talents during the state championships, playing superb football against South Australia and Vic Metro.

Cody Curtin

The younger brother of Adelaide’s Dan Curtin, Cody is bigger and taller than his sibling, striking recruiters as a potential star key forward of the future

 After spending the majority of the 2024 season in defence, Curtin was swung forward late in the year and kicked six goals in Round 21, before kicking six more in the Tigers’ first finals match to advance to the Grand Final.

Curtin kicked eight goals in a pre-season outing this year against Subiaco, potentially signalling a switch up forward for the 2025 season ahead.

Toby Whan

Fremantle Dockers NGA product Whan is another member of South Fremantle’s star-studded midfield, and after finishing in the top 10 of the 2024 state preseason combine in the Yo-Yo test, backed it up with yet another top 10 finish this year.

Whan’s fitness, combined with his silky ball use gives him two attributes that recruiters love.

He finished third in the Bulldogs’ Colts Best and Fairest in 2024 as a bottom-ager, averaging more than 20 disposals per game.

Charlie Banfield

West Coast father/son prospect and son of premiership Eagle Drew Banfield, Charlie is one of several returning players from Claremont’s 2024 flag-winning side.

The skilful winger has plenty of attributes to be excited about, including height, speed, versatility and clever vision and ball use. Banfield is set to take up more of a leadership position this season as the Tigers begin their campaign to go back-to-back in the Colts competition.

Koby Evans

Evans, part of West Coast’s NGA program is a strong forward-midfielder hybrid who can dictate games in a matter of minutes.

Forward of the ball Evans is tough to defend with tremendous goal-kicking ability and clean hands, but as he looks set to spend more time in the midfield in 2025, his strength and power will be on full display.

Evans is quoted as wanting to be more of a leader this season as he and the Demons seek to advance further into the Finals Series than in 2024.

Wes Walley

Subiaco goal-sneak Wes Walley doesn’t just have one of the best names in football, he’s also one of the most talented players going around.

Another member of the West Coast Eagles NGA talent pool, Walley showed glimpses of his agility, pressure and goal sense last season.

This year he will look to put it all together and produce the elite performances he is capable of.

Blake Kelly

Clean disposal, smart decision-making and a tough determination to win the football, Kelly is one of the silkiest players in the WAFL Colts competition.

As a bottom-ager last season he led Swan Districts to the Grand Final alongside some top-age talent who have now moved on, and along with some incredibly exciting bottom-agers Kelly has a season ahead for fans to be ecstatic about.

Oscar Willis

Smooth moving winger and half-back Willis produced some examples of magical ball use last season that has recruiters extremely excited.

Willis’ run and dash is a skill that allows him to break lines and create exciting passages of play, and he will be an integral part of Claremont’s bid for a second straight premiership.

Sam Swadling

One player who has gone under the radar over the last few years is West Perth’s silky utility Sam Swadling.

The Falcon’s Mr. Consistent had an underrated bottom-age campaign last season, averaging nearly 20 disposals and kicking a goal per game.

Swadling has had some exposure to league level football over the preseason, continuing his goal-per-game run, and was featured in the WA Summer State Squad. Keep an eye on Swadling in 2025.

Lucas Robinson

Robinson is a bottom-ager and therefore not draft eligible until next season, but he is putting together an outstanding resume.

The Bulldog rounds out a three-pronged star midfield for South Fremantle alongside Rodriguez and Whan, and after winning the Under 16’s West Australian MVP at the State Championships, Robinson will be keen to add some more silverware to his cabinet in 2025.

Article by Denholm Melrose - Perth is OK!