WAFL teams Round 18: Draft prospects to debut, luckless Docker to make long-awaited return

A pair of AFL Academy members and AAMI WA Football State 18s teammates will make their senior debut in Round 18 of Sullivan Logistics WAFL action.

Under-18s All-Australian ruck Benji van Rooyen will becoming the third van Rooyen brother to play senior footy for Claremont when he takes the field alongside middle brother Sam against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday.

Van Rooyen is set to play a mix of key forward and ruck, backing up gun big man Oliver Eastland, after booting five goals in his last two reserves appearances to push his case for a league berth.

Swan Districts captain Jesse Turner has made a remarkable recovery from a hamstring injury, just 21 days after going down against South Fremantle.

Turner joins emerging ruck Lucas Impey (shin) and Thomas Cathcart (recalled) among the ins, with defender Anthony Stephens and forward Jiah Reidy both out and youngster Harley Cummings omitted.

West Coast will unveil Next Generation Academy talent Garrison Kenh in Saturday’s crucial clash against fellow finals hopefuls Subiaco at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

The smooth-moving half-back from East Perth featured in the last two games of the AFL National Under-18s Championships, averaging 22.5 disposals, to earn a State Draft Combine invitation this week.

Genh joins defender Sandy Brock and winger Harvey Johnston who have both been dropped from the AFL side and former Crow Harry Schoenberg who’s back from illness.

Sixteen WA talents have been invited to test at this year’s AFL Draft Combines including seven to the three-day National Combine in Melbourne. A couple of mature-aged WAFL prospects among the WA State Combine invitees.https://t.co/yAfgtzBmAn

— Jordan McArdle (@jordan_mc12) August 5, 2026

Ball magnet Finlay Macrae, first-round draftee Josh Lindsay and goal-kicking midfielder Tom Gross have all been named on an extended bench for the Eagles’ AFL side but could come back to the WAFL team if not required.

Father-son prospect Harper Banfield’s impressive two-game stint with the Eagles is over with the draft hopeful to return to PSA school Scotch College and WAFL club Claremont for the remainder of the season.

Another eye-catching game for Harper Banfield for West Coast’s WAFL side, highlighted by a massive goal after the half-time siren. Averaging 18.5 disposals, 3.5 inside 50s and two tackles per game. Eagles two from two with Banfield in the side. pic.twitter.com/Q2Ok4gi6O3

— Jordan McArdle (@jordan_mc12) August 3, 2026

The fifth-placed Lions welcome back gun midfielder Taj Schofield and veteran spearhead Ben Sokol from hamstring injuries in a massive boost for their hopes making it back-to-back wins.

Luckless Docker Sam Sturt will play his first league game in more than a year after getting through managed minutes for Peel Thunder reserves last week.

The talented forward has been named for the Thunder’s seniors for the first time since Round 15 last season – 386 days ago – as the ladder leaders look to make it 11 wins on the trot against Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

Sam Sturt made his successful return to football, getting through 70 minutes of play in the WAFL Reserves 💜

FULL INJURY UPDATE 🔗: https://t.co/KNnvrLMB4G#foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/j33KR67hv9

— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) August 4, 2026

Freo utility Corey Wagner, WAFL recruit Lachlan Tardrew and vice-captain Scott Tuia are also among the ins for the Thunder, while Pinjarra product Darcy Wills will make his long-awaited league debut after banging down the door in the reserves.

Forward Tobyn Murray is out after travelling with the Dockers to Melbourne, while fellow AFL emergencies Hugh Davies and Chris Scerri are likely to come back into the side.

The Demons have made one change with recruit Freddy Brayshaw coming in for Jake Watson (leg).

South Fremantle and East Perth both have exciting inclusions for their grand final re-match at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Sharpshooter Trey Ruscoe is back for the Bulldogs after an overseas holiday, while Royals co-captain Christian Ameduri has been cleared to return from an ankle injury and youngster Andre Gullini was rewarded for his twos form from a senior call-up.

East Perth, sitting just outside of the five, lose speedster Angus Scott (calf) and young gun Kade Screaigh (quad) to injury.

In the final game of the round, son of a gun Oliver McManus is back for East Fremantle’s away clash against West Perth at HIF Health Insurance Oval on Saturday.

The son of Dockers legend Shaun is back from an ankle issue, joining fellow teen Tom Phillips in the side.

The Falcons have made one change with premiership star Corey Rundle sidelined and Darcy Keenan recalled.