Steed stars as State 18s down WAFL Under-21s in a thriller

Swan Districts young gun Leo Steed further enhanced his AFL Draft credentials with a best-on-ground performance in his first appearance of the year for the AAMI WA Football State 18s.

In front of a host of AFL recruiters, the diminutive midfielder starred in the State 18s’ hard-fought six-point win over the WAFL Under-21s at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday morning.

Bunbury product Steed, who’s been playing impressive senior footy for the Black Ducks this season and has emerged as a first-round draft hopeful, showed his elite foot skills and pace and even drifted forward for an important goal in the second half.

Claremont Colts premiership teammates George Gale and Heath Mellody were also among the best for the WA 18s.

Both players were strong in the engine room and kicked final-quarter goals to get the younger side over the line in a thrilling, see-sawing contest.

Mellody started across half-back in the first half before moving into the midfield.

East Perth’s red-hot 2027 draft propsect Axel Walsh was the best player on ground in the first half, impressing in the ruck and also taking several intercept marks down back.

East Perth half-back Ethan Turner had a few nice moments in the back half and kicked a classy major, while West Perth tall Harvey Spawton-Guy and South Fremantle livewire Cam Maynard kicked two apiece.

Maynard kicked the goal of the day the third quarter with a stunning snap under pressure as the State 18s made their move with a five-goal term to turn a seven-point deficit into a 10-point lead by three-quarter time.

The win came at a cost though with East Fremantle and Dockers Next Generation Academy talent Finlay Yeo going off with an ankle injury in the first half after a strong start to the content including a first-quarter goal.

Swan Districts midfielder Blake Kelly was outstanding for the WAFL Under-21s, racking up the possessions in the midfield to push his case for a senior WAFL berth.

Subiaco utility Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves did his AFL Mid-Season Draft chances no harm with an eye-catching display across half-back which included two goals.

East Perth defender Jake Soutar was also outstanding for the 21s, while Claremont forward Jay Hill (two goals) was excellent in the first half and Subiaco’s Hudson Walker and Perth defender Dale Sutherland also impressed.