Evans, Carrello the latest State 18s squad members to earn senior WAFL debut

Koby Evans and Luke Carrello are the latest members of Western Australia’s under-18s squad to crack a senior debut in the Sullivan Logistics WAFL this season after both missed extended periods due to injury.

Evans, a talented midfielder-forward, earned a league berth following a stunning comeback from a back injury in the EGT WAFL Colts last weekend, amassing 26 disposals and a game-high nine clearances to go with seven tackles in Perth’s big win over West Perth.

Evans was presented his jumper by former Demons captain and West Coast big man Fraser McInnes at Mineral Resources Park on Thursday night and will face reigning premiers Peel Thunder at Mandurah’s Lane Group Stadium on Saturday.

It comes after the Eagles Next Generation Academy prospect missed several months, including the National Under-18s Championship, because of a lower-back issue.

Carrello was named in East Fremantle’s side to take on West Coast at The Good Grocer Park on Saturday.

The hard-running wingman also missed the national champs through injury and will make his return from an ankle issue in the seniors which is a massive nod to how highly the Sharks rate him.

Carrello was pushing for an early-season debut with strong colts form, including a 27-disposal, eight-mark performance against the Thunder in Round 3 before going down with injury the following week.

The pair join State 18s teammates Jacob Farrow, Sam Swadling, Lochlain Carpenter (West Perth), Fred Rodriguez (South Fremantle), Will York (Peel Thunder), Hudson Walker (Subiaco), Tylah Williams and Charlie Banfield (West Coast) in making their league debut, tallying 10 from the squad.