WAFLWWA’s best prospects for AFLW Pre-Season Draft
Jordan McArdle
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1 May 2026
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Potential 2027 No.1 draft pick Axel Walsh will play his first game of the season in the AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys’ trial match against East Perth Reserves at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday morning.
The athletic 202cm ruck from East Perth has recover from a back issue for WA’s second hit-out, where he will be on managed minutes.
Walsh, the younger brother of Port Adelaide forward Xavier, finished runner-up in the AFL National Under-16s fairest-and-best award, despite missing the final game with a knee issue which ruled him out for the remainder of the 2025 season.
“He’s due back this weekend which is fantastic,” AAMI WA Football State Talent Manager Adam Jones said earlier in the week.
“He’ll play in our trial game on managed minutes, he’ll play about 50-60 per cent game time.
“We’ll build him up over the next few weeks and then he’ll be back in full minutes.
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“We’re really excited to see Axel back, he’s champing at the bit to get over there, it’s been a long layoff for him so he’s super excited.”
Jones said while his prominent position is the ruck, Walsh would likely spend time up forward in his return with Claremont big man Benji van Rooyen leading the ruck.
Van Rooyen is coming off a huge first trial game, with 22 disposals, 21 hit-out and four clearances in the comfortable win over Swan Districts Reserves on Sunday.
Swan Districts over-ager Sheldon Pickett, who moved from Bunbury to Perth over the off-season to further his footy ambitions, was another player to catch the eye in the opening trial match.
Pickett had 22 touches on the wing to go with a game-high 13 marks, nine inside 50s and a goal to put his hand up for more regular State 18s appearances.
“It’s a great story,” Jones explained.
“He was previously living Bunbury and moved up to Perth over summer.
“It’s the first time he’s been able to train with Swan Districts regularly.
“He’s done an amazing job to get to this point, all of his family is in Bunbury so he’s got very little support up in Perth.
“For him to get up here and show the talent that he has is very exciting.
“We played him on the wing on the weekend and he showed some real dash and speed and beautiful skills.
“He’s still slight with his body which will take a few years to build but the talent is there and it’s exciting to see.”
Claremont sons of guns George Gale (son of former Docker/Saint Mark) and Harper Banfield (son of West Coast great Drew) and fellow Tigers star Heath Mellody return from PSA duties in a massive boost, with both players in hot form in the midfield this season.
Another Claremont talent, small forward Robby Farmer who’s part of West Coast’s Next Generation Academy, is another important inclusion.
Subiaco ruckman Frazer Rickson, South Fremantle midfield bull Lucas Robinson and classy Swan Districts talent Leo Steed are unavailable due to senior WAFL duties, while West Perth forward Koby LeCras is sidelined with a knee issue after an eye-catching league debut last week.
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