Players to watch as Black Swans clash with Croweaters in Adelaide

We take a look at the players to watch as WA take on South Australia in the AFL National Under-18s Championship in Adelaide on Sunday.

Jacob Farrow

Position: Midfielder/half-back

Club: West Perth

Game One stats v Vic Country: 12 disposals, six tackles and a goal

The West Perth product has been capturing plenty of attention following an eye-catching start to the year.

A tall, left-footed half-back who can also pinch hit in the midfield, Farrow has been likened to Dockers gun Hayden Young.

Provided a real midfield spark during WA’s fightback against Vic Country, with his delivery by foot going forward particularly impressive.

Charlie Banfield

Position: Wing/half-forward

Club: Claremont

Game One stats v Vic Country: 11 disposals, seven marks and a goal

The son of a gun was one of a heroes in WA’s last-gasp victory over Vic Country in the opening round of the championships.

Banfield was excellent in the second half especially and stood up in the final minute with a crucial intercept mark across half-forward before delivering a pinpoint pass to Hudson Walker.

The versatile talent’s overhead marking was a feature of his game, providing a constant aerial threat.

Hudson Walker

Position: Midfielder/forward

Club: Subiaco

Game One stats v Vic Country: 16 disposals, seven tackles, four clearances and a goal

Who could forget Walker’s match-winning goal against Vic Country, showing nerves to steel to seal a three-point victory with the final kick of the game.

But the Subiaco young gun’s entire game was outstanding, finding plenty of the footy and providing elite tackling pressure.

Walker has already played senior footy for the Lions and looks right at home on the national stage.

Heath Mellody

Position: Wing

Club: Claremont

Game One stats v Vic Country: 11 disposals and four inside 50s

Mellody was arguably the pick of WA’s bottom-aged brigade against Vic Country.

There was a lot to like about the Claremont youngster’s performance on the wing, with his elite work rate and reliable foot skills catching the eye.

Fred Rodriguez

Position: Midfielder

Club: South Fremantle

Game One stats v Vic Country: 17 disposals, seven inside 50s and two goals

The Black Swans captain led from the front with a massive performance in the midfield to help his team overcome a slow start to the contest.

The South Fremantle product combined with his WAFL teammate Toby Whan for a dominant one-two punch in the engine-room, with the pair combining for 35 disposals, 12 inside 50s, eight clearances and three goals.

Rodriguez continues to highlight his credentials as a worthy top-10 pick with a stellar 2025 campaign to date.