State Talent and DraftFive WA Players to Watch in AFL National Under-18s Champs opener v SA
Jordan McArdle
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11 Jun 2026
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We take a look at the famous bloodlines in AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys and Girls squads ahead of this Saturday’s National Under-18s Championship openers against South Australia at Mineral Resources Park.
Benji van Rooyen (Claremont/ruck)
Van Rooyen is the younger – and taller – brother of Melbourne forward Jacob who will be leading WA’s ruck brigade for the second year in a row.
The 203cm talent an excellent bottom-aged season, holding his own against older opponents in the National Champs before winning an EGT WAFL Colts premiership for Claremont.
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George Gale (Claremont/midfielder)
Gale, the son of former Fremantle and St Kilda player Mark, was recently named co-captain of the State 18s Boys squad.
Racks up the footy, is strong in the contest and can play a mix of inside midfield and wing.
Noah Braun (Claremont/winger)
The son of 2006 West Coast premiership hero Michael is a late addition to the squad, rewarded for a prolific run of form in the EGT WAFL Colts which included a 50-disposal performance against Perth in Round 6.
The Eagles get first crack at him in the draft as a father-son selection but is only an outside chance to get picked up at this stage.
Harper Banfield (Claremont/midfielder)
Banfield is the son of dual West Coast premiership star Drew and younger brother of recent St Kilda draftee Charlie, who was part of the State 18s leadership group last year.
Harper, an inside midfielder and competitive beast, has enjoyed a strong start to the season and looks primed for a big carnival.
Harper Banfield in action for the State 18s Boys. Credit: Peter Keleman
Axel Walsh (East Perth/ruck)
Walsh is the younger brother of Port Adelaide forward Xavier who is destined to follow in his footsteps to the AFL.
The athletic 203cm giant is a ruckman who can play a variety of other positions on the ground including key forward and even on a wing.
Has been identified by Tasmania as a player of interest and could end up there by the end of the year as a pre-listing selection.
Hudson Graham (South Fremantle/key defender)
Graham is the son of former West Coast tall and current Fremantle assistant coach Jaymie Graham who’s got some of his dad’s size.
The late-developing 194cm talent does his best work as a key defender but showed his ability to swing forward and kick goals in a recent trial game.
Has grown in size quite a bit in recent years in a boost to his draft hopes.
James Artemis (East Fremantle/midfielder)
Artemis is the cousin of former State 18s MVP and South Fremantle premiership star turned No.1 Mid-Season Draft pick Jaxon Artemis.
The bottom-aged East Fremantle midfielder has been in hot form in the trial games and looms as one of WA’s top draft prospects for 2027.
Also won the State 16s MVP last season ahead of Axel Walsh in a nod to his consistency across the carnival.
Koby LeCras (West Perth/forward)
LeCras is the son of former North Melbourne player and West Perth champion Brent and nephew of West Coast great Mark.
There’s no denying the emerging forward/winger’s talent, but unfortunately a knee injury has ruled him out for the carnival and potentially the season.
Still in the mix to get picked up in the draft later this year after a bright start to the season, including a three-goal haul for the AFL Academy and senior debut for West Perth.
Miley Hynes (West Perth/midfielder)
Hynes is the daughter of West Coast premiership player and former Docker David Hynes who qualifies as a father-daughter selection for both clubs next year.
The bottom-aged prospect can play inside midfield or across half forward.
She’s strong overhead, tackles hard and knows where the goals are.
Vienna Matera (West Perth/forward)
Vienna Matera is the niece of Peter, Wally and Phil Matera who all played at the highest level.
Vienna is a talented small forward with plenty of tricks who impressed in the AFLW National Under-16s Championship.
She was set to feature for the State 18s before a recent season-ending knee injury.
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