Player profile of every WA U18s squad memberFriday, June 6, 2025 - 1:06 PM - by Denholm Melrose - Perth is OK!

The Marsh AFL Under-18’s National Championships began last weekend, and WA’s 2025 campaign kicks off this Saturday, 10am at Mineral Resources Park against Vic Country.

WA has gone in with a strong side in 2025, led by captain and top Western Australian draft prospect Fred Rodriguez, who we wrote about earlier this year. The state team claimed a victory over West Perth in their second trial match heading into the championships, with first round draft pick candidates Rodriguez, Toby Whan, Cody Curtin, Sam Swadling and Wes Walley all amongst the best.

Below we have previewed every player who will don the Black Swan for Western Australia in preparation for the beginning of WA’s tournament:

#1 Will York, 172cm, Small Forward (Peel Thunder)

After impressing through the first five rounds of the season in the reigning premier’s League side, York returned to the Colts side in Round 6 to collect 28 disposals, six marks, seven tackles and a goal in a dominant display. The small forward out of Harvey Brunswick is a pressure forward who lays tackles and allows defenders no time or space.

#3 Tylah Williams, 175cm, Small Forward (Swan Districts)

West Coast Eagles NGA product Williams is a lively and agile small forward, who moves quickly and plays with X-factor. Like some of the great small forwards throughout history, Williams doesn’t need a lot of touches to impact games, and can create goals from seemingly nothing.

#4 Luke Carrello, 177cm, Midfielder (East Fremantle)

A former Under-16’s state academy member, Carrello has one of the most impressive vertical leaps in the WAFL Colts competition. He unfortunately suffered a recent injury and will not participate in the Championships, but in the two Colts games he did play to begin the season he won 48 disposals and in the second match took 8 marks. A talent who may need to wait until the back half of the year to press his draft case.

#6 Hudson Walker, 179cm, Forward (Subiaco)

Walker plays as a high half forward, able to swiftly glide up and down the ground with his speed and stamina. His ball use is clean, and he is often used as the distributor going inside 50 for his WAFL sides. He started the season in the League team, before returning to Colts level and kicking three goals from 24 possessions in round five.

#7 Toby Whan, 183cm, Midfielder (South Fremantle)

One of WA’s leading prospects, Fremantle NGA product Whan is another play we wrote about earlier this year. With a unique blend of speed, agility, explosiveness and excellent ball use, as well as an ability to hit the scoreboard, Whan is a talent that doesn’t come around all that often. Through five Colts games this season he has averaged 29 disposals and kicked five goals and was named in the best in WA’s second trial game after collecting 24 disposals, laying three tackles and delivering three inside 50s. Expect Whan to head an incredibly talented Western Australian midfield in the Championships.

#9 Fred Rodriguez, 184cm, Midfielder (South Fremantle)

Another member of the stacked WA midfield is skipper Rodriguez, who has made an exceptional start to the season and may be in first round calculations in the AFL draft at season’s end. Rodriguez was WA’s best against West Perth, gathering 33 disposals along with six clearances, five inside 50s and a goal. He began the season in South Fremantle’s League side, before dominating in his two Colts games with a combined 61 possessions, nine tackles and two goals.

#1 Will York, 172cm, Small Forward (Peel Thunder)

After impressing through the first five rounds of the season in the reigning premier’s League side, York returned to the Colts side in Round 6 to collect 28 disposals, six marks, seven tackles and a goal in a dominant display. The small forward out of Harvey Brunswick is a pressure forward who lays tackles and allows defenders no time or space.

#3 Tylah Williams, 175cm, Small Forward (Swan Districts)

West Coast Eagles NGA product Williams is a lively and agile small forward, who moves quickly and plays with X-factor. Like some of the great small forwards throughout history, Williams doesn’t need a lot of touches to impact games, and can create goals from seemingly nothing.

#4 Luke Carrello, 177cm, Midfielder (East Fremantle)

A former Under-16’s state academy member, Carrello has one of the most impressive vertical leaps in the WAFL Colts competition. He unfortunately suffered a recent injury and will not participate in the Championships, but in the two Colts games he did play to begin the season he won 48 disposals and in the second match took 8 marks. A talent who may need to wait until the back half of the year to press his draft case.

#6 Hudson Walker, 179cm, Forward (Subiaco)

Walker plays as a high half forward, able to swiftly glide up and down the ground with his speed and stamina. His ball use is clean, and he is often used as the distributor going inside 50 for his WAFL sides. He started the season in the League team, before returning to Colts level and kicking three goals from 24 possessions in round five.

#7 Toby Whan, 183cm, Midfielder (South Fremantle)

One of WA’s leading prospects, Fremantle NGA product Whan is another play we wrote about earlier this year. With a unique blend of speed, agility, explosiveness and excellent ball use, as well as an ability to hit the scoreboard, Whan is a talent that doesn’t come around all that often. Through five Colts games this season he has averaged 29 disposals and kicked five goals and was named in the best in WA’s second trial game after collecting 24 disposals, laying three tackles and delivering three inside 50s. Expect Whan to head an incredibly talented Western Australian midfield in the Championships.

#9 Fred Rodriguez, 184cm, Midfielder (South Fremantle)

Another member of the stacked WA midfield is skipper Rodriguez, who has made an exceptional start to the season and may be in first round calculations in the AFL draft at season’s end. Rodriguez was WA’s best against West Perth, gathering 33 disposals along with six clearances, five inside 50s and a goal. He began the season in South Fremantle’s League side, before dominating in his two Colts games with a combined 61 possessions, nine tackles and two goals.

#10 Blake Kelly, 183cm, Midfielder (Swan Districts)

A big-bodied inside midfielder, Kelly is just as happy to do the grunt work to win the football at the contest as he is spreading and being used in transition. Whilst he may not see full midfield minutes through the Championships, Kelly has been a ball-winning machine at Colts level this season, averaging 25 touches per game, and is ready to prove he belongs among the top names in the draft.

#11 Dale Sutherland, 184cm, Defender (Perth)

Another former Under-16’s State Academy member, Sutherland is a rebounding half-back who is often entrusted with the responsibility of kickstarting transition ball movement for Perth. In a matchup with top talent Wesley Walley in Round 5, Sutherland won 20 disposals and took six marks, whilst somewhat containing Walley. Sutherland can play lockdown roles as well and may be asked to do so in the Championships.

#12 Wesley Walley, 184cm, Forward (Subiaco)

The premier forward prospect for Western Australia in 2025, Wes Walley is a West Coast NGA product. The nifty goal sneak has shown glimpses of brilliance across his Colts career, with clever leading and running patterns paving the way to goal for him. He has kicked multiple goals in all but one game for Subiaco this year and did the same in WA’s trial win from five scoring shots. If Wes Walley gets off the chain during the U18’s tournament, he could become a household name, and a great name at that.

#13 Heath Mellody, 181cm, Forward (Claremont)

One of the youngest players in WA’s 2025 squad, 16-year-old Heath Mellody is making waves as a promising future prospect. Mellody played two Colts games earlier in the season for the Tigers, posting 20 disposals and a goal, and then 21 disposals and two goals. With many forwards in the side, Mellody played on a wing in the State’s two trial matches and impressed in his ability to adapt to the role. The
2026 draft prospect is a clean and composed with ball in hand, which head coach Marc Webb will love.

#14 Garrison Kenh, 182cm, Defender (East Perth)

Another bottom-age prospect whom Perthisok previewed this season, Kenh is an attacking half-back who loves to run and carry and start forays forward for the Royals. The West Coast NGA product of Liberian descent has played every game for East Perth as a 17-year-old and projects as a major ball user out of defence in the Championships for WA.

#15 Luke Hallett, 185cm, Midfielder (East Perth)

Explosive big-bodied midfielder Hallett has one of the biggest frames going around in the WAFL Colts and knows how to use it. Playing with flair and arrogance, the Boyup Brook product is capable off both feet, but has a booming right boot that gives him the versatility to rebound off half back, kick goals from outside 50 as a forward and penetrate from the midfield. With WA’s depth of midfielders, he may play in several roles across the Championships.

#16 Basil Hart, 186cm, Forward (Peel Thunder)

Exciting forward Basil Hart has been on recruiters’ minds for a few years now. Hart is a tantalising blend of skill and athleticism, who kicked 7 goals in his opening three games of the Colts season. He was able to hit the scoreboard in WA’s first trial match, and will hope to be a focal point of WA’s scoring throughout the Championships.

#17 Sam Swadling, 187cm, Midfielder (West Perth)

One of the most consistent players in the Colts competition last season as a bottom ager playing a mix of forward and midfield, Swadling has taken his game to another level this year, excelling as a full-time midfielder. The ball-winning machine is averaging an outrageous 37.4 disposals in his last five games, stuffing stat sheets week in-week out. He was the leading disposal getter in WA’s opening trial match and bettered that performance in the second by collecting 30 possessions, taking seven marks, winning four clearances and kicking two goals. Swadling is hurtling up draft boards across the country and will look to continue his red-hot form into the carnival.

#18 Koby Evans, 187cm, Forward/Midfielder (Perth)

Disappointingly sidelined due to a back injury, Evans was one of WA’s most exciting prospects before he went down and looked set to feature prominently in their tournament campaign. Evans is a big body who can impact aerially and on the scoreboard up forward, or throw his weight around in the midfield to win the football for his side. Expect the West Coast NGA prospect to finish the year in impressive style.

#19 George Gale, 187cm, Midfielder (Claremont)

16-year-old and already 187cm, Gale is a promising young prospect who is coming off his best career Colts game in round three against East Perth where he tallied 31 disposals, took seven marks and booted a goal. The Swanbourne product will want to put his talents on full display through the championships, albeit likely in some new roles.

#20 Oscar Willis, 187cm, Wing/Defender (Claremont)

Hard running winger Oscar Willis was a valuable member of Claremont’s premiership winning Colts side last season as a bottom-ager, and now in his draft year Willis is shouldering more responsibility. Willis is coming off a career best game last weekend against Perth in which he amassed 29 disposals and took 10 marks, as he presses his case for a wing spot during the carnival.

#21 Heath Wilson, 187cm, Forward (South Fremantle)

Named originally as a train-on squad player, Wilson impressed enough to warrant elevation onto the playing list for the Championships. At just 16-years-old Wilson has already played five Colts games this year and collected double-digit disposal counts in every game, as well as laying five tackles in three separate games. If he can bring that kind of tackle pressure to the forward line in the tournament he will play himself into the eyes of many.

#22 Jay Hill, 188cm, Forward (Claremont)

Yet to make his WAFL Colts debut, the talented Jay Hill was a top 10 performer in the standing vertical leap at the 2025 preseason testing, proving he can fly with the best of them. Hill is an over-ager, meaning he turns 19 before the draft, but was granted the ability to be selected given he is yet to play at WAFL level but he has sadly been ruled out for the year after he required surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

#23 Max Thomas, 188cm, Defender (South Fremantle)

Another of WA’s running defenders, Thomas plays with intent to get out and move the ball with pace. He won 14 disposals in Western Australia’s second trial game and is finding some form in the WAFL Colts competition heading into the Under-18’s tournament.

#24 Jacob Farrow, 188cm, Defender/Midfielder (West Perth)

A draft board riser in recent weeks, Farrow has put together some fantastic form at WAFL Colts level, averaging 26 disposals and over seven marks per game. His back-to-back games in Round 4 (30 disposals, 13 marks) and Round 5 (33 disposals, seven marks, eight tackles, one goal) proved his talent and the exciting prospect will put his composed ball use on show in the Championships. Whilst WA’s midfield is deeper than any other Champs side, Farrow is another who could use his bigger frame to spend some time through there.

#25 Ryda Luke, 185cm, Forward (South Fremantle)

Ryda Luke stamped his name in draft lights when he booted eight goals in the opening half of the Bulldogs’ Round 3 match against Swan Districts. Luke, another Fremantle NGA product, is an in-between forward capable on the ground and in the air. He reads the ball well in flight and if he can have some more production in the latter half of the season he will be a prospect well worth keeping an eye on. Unfortunately Luke will likely miss the first two games of the Championships due to injury.

#26 Charlie Banfield, 191cm, Wing/Midfielder (Claremont)

West Coast Father/Son prospect (Son of Drew) Charlie Banfield is a taller midfielder who utilises his height to deliver well weighted disposals coming out of the midfield, but is also a strong runner, allowing him to excel on a wing as well. Banfield was an integral cog in Claremont’s premiership season in 2024, and Eagles fans will want to watch him closely during the Championships.

#27 Matthew Becker, 191cm, Defender (Peel Thunder)

One of the better kicks in the WAFL Colts competition, Becker can often be identified kicking out after behinds as the Thunder trust his reliable boot to create for them coming out of defence. Becker has made an impressive start to the season, averaging nearly 25 disposals per game after a strong bottom-age year, and performing admirably in WA’s second trial match.

#28 Thomas Phillips, 187cm, Forward/Midfielder (East Fremantle/Oakleigh)

A versatile talent boarding at Scotch College, Phillips is aligned with both East Fremantle in the WAFL and the Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League in Victoria. Phillips is yet to play state league level football this year and thus could be a surprise packet come the National Championships.

#30 Joseph Hopkyns, 194cm, Key Defender (Claremont)

If WA is lacking in a position on the ground it is key defenders, and at 193cm, Hopkyns could be tasked with battling above his height in the Championships. He is however, dealing with an injury and will be unavailable for the first championship game. Hopkyns took a combined 15 marks across Rounds 3 and 5 in the WAFL Colts competition earlier this year.

#31 Harvey Spawton-Guy, 194cm, Ruck/Forward (West Perth)

One of the most talented of the bottom-age group, developing 16-year-old ruckman Harvey Spawton-Guy is more than capable in various positions. Already 194cm, there is a real chance HSG grows to nearly 200cm by next year’s draft, and as a ruckman he will be important for WA next season, but as a forward, Spawton-Guy is showing real signs in his limited Colts career so far. This year the youngster has games of 3, 2, 2 and 2 goals, good enough for 12 in seven games, as well as having taken 8, 7, 5 and 4 marks in games too. His aerial work is impressive for his age, and this Champs experience will do wonders for his development going into his draft year next season.

#34 Lochlain Carpenter, 194cm, Key Defender (West Perth)

A heralded key backman who has already played 26 Colts level games and featured in all three League pre-season matches for the Falcons, Carpenter is another member of the former Under-16’s State Academy representative club. The West Perth Colts captain was a late addition to the state squad but already has games this season of 11 disposals and seven marks, 17 disposals (all kicks!) and eight marks,
and 22 disposals and nine marks. The aerial presence, as well as general experience of Carpenter will be invaluable to the side during the Championships.

#36 Jax Williams, 195cm, Key Defender/Key Forward (Peel Thunder)

Jax Williams is a versatile key position player who was a high level baseballer before committing to football over the preseason. Williams moves well for his size and is a good overhead mark with nice skills for a player of his size. The swingman has already played six Colts games this year and kicked three goals.

#37 Bol Makuach, 200cm, Ruck (Peel Thunder)

Likely to take on a chunk of the ruck duties throughout the Championships, Makuach continues to improve at WAFL Colts level every week. The Baldivis product is averaging 19 hitouts per game so far this season.

#38 Benji van Rooyen, 202cm, Ruck (Claremont)

Already 202cm as a bottom-ager, van Rooyen, the younger brother of Melbourne Demons player Jacob, is going to be a monster. This season van Rooyen has already put together games of 37, 34, 34 and 29 hitouts whilst averaging nearly 13 disposals per game. Benji actually led the State team for clearances in their first trial match, as well as racking up another 36 hitouts, and will likely do the bulk of the ruckwork as a 16-year-old.

#39 Charlie Watson, 199cm, Key Forward (Claremont)

Charlie Watson is a very athletic key forward who can also play in the ruck. His speed for his size is impressive and he has very good skills for a tall. Watson has lots of upside with plenty of physical development left and having only been involved in a state league program for the first time, could see his game continue to improve.

#40 Cody Curtin, 200cm, Key Forward/Key Defender (Claremont)

Talented swingman Cody Curtin is another player who we previewed earlier this year. The likely first round (and potentially top 10) draft pick is the brother of Adelaide’s Daniel Curtin, but is a much different player. Whilst Dan is a powerhouse runner and can spend time through the midfield or on the wing, Cody is a brute key-position-player who takes big pack marks and kicks bags as a forward or Intercepts as a defender. He played the majority of last year in the backline, but when switched up forward kicked back-to-back bags of six in the final few games of the season before winning a flag with the Tigers. This year he booted eight goals in a practice match against Subiaco and five in Round 1. He snagged five goals in WA’s second trial match and is set to be the main target inside 50.

#41 Mitchell Stirling, 196cm, Key Defender (Peel Thunder)

Full back Mitchell Stirling began the season in fine form for Peel, taking seven marks in each of his first three games to earn a spot in the state side. The bottom-age key back, already 196cm as a 16-year-old, is fantastic aerially and has nice skills that he is entrusted to use. He is a competitive animal, hates to lose even a single contest and will put his body on the line for WA in the Championships.

#42 Cooper Ramsay, 202cm, Ruck (East Perth)

One of the best stories in WA footy currently is relatively unknown prospect Cooper Ramsay, who didn’t play football until last year at 16 years of age, after attending a “Come and Try” event. Recruiters liked the raw athleticism and potential they saw of the former soccer and basketball player and invited Ramsay to be part of the talent pathway. He would go on to play eight futures matches and two Colts game for East Perth in which he won plenty if hit-outs and showed talent.

#43 Lucas Cattalini, 192cm, Key Defender (South Fremantle)

Left footer Cattalini was another late addition to the state squad but deserves it, nonetheless. He has taken some scalps this year including having kept Cody Curtin to just 3 marks and 1 goal. Cattalini is also capable of racking up the ball himself, having accumulated 24 disposals and 14 marks in round 2 as well as 26 disposals and 13 marks in round 4.

#44 Sebastian Royle, 204cm, Ruck (East Perth)

Another East Perth ruckman, the tallest of any WA state player this season, Royle has been limited to just one Colts game this season. Royle missed all of his bottom-age campaign with a stress fracture, but did play in the U18’s v U21’s trial match and performed admirably before unfortunately sustaining a back injury that will keep him out of the championships. With choices in Makuach, van Rooyen and Watson
though, expect the rucks to be tossed around a bit over the course of the tournament.