Warner wins Kevin Sheehan Medal in 12-year first for WA

Hard-working midfielder Troy Warner became the first West Aussie in a dozen years to win the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player in the AFL National Under-16s Championships.

WA co-captain and East Fremantle product Warner led the Black Swans to their first National Under-16s title in nine years with a dominant carnival in the midfield.

The younger brother of Sydney Swans pair Chad and Corey finished with 22 disposals in Friday’s title-clinching victory over Vic Country on the Gold Coast after 25 against South Australia and 27 against Vic Metro.

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• WA claim first National Under-16s title in nine years with victory over Vic Country

Warner not only became the first WA player to win the carnival MVP award since former West Coast and Carlton player Samo Petrevski-Seton back in 2014, he always won the WA State 16s MVP Award.

WA co-captain Troy Warner wins the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player in the AFL National Under-16s Championships to go with WA’s State 16s MVP award. What a carnival he had in the midfield! 🏅 🏅 pic.twitter.com/cYw5ipmU8P

— Jordan McArdle (@jordan_mc12) July 17, 2026

After impressing as a bottom-ager in last year’s 16s carnival, the youngest Warner took another massive step forward to put his name in lights as a top AFL Draft prospect for his draft year in 2028.

He joins the likes of Dockers great Michael Walters, Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell and Brisbane Lions premiership hero Des Headland to win the Kevin Sheehan Medal from WA.

AAMI WA Football State 16s coach Michael Glassborow described Warner as a “complete player” and highlighted his “unbelievable” growth from his bottom-aged 16s campaign last year.

“He played with us last year a bottom-ager last year it was a great experience,” Glassborow said.

“His development as a person over the last 12 months has been unbelievable.

“He’s a really good teammate and leader. He led really well after his experiences as a bottom-ager.

“He’s got a good balance between hunting and tacking doing the little things and showcasing his running and power. He’s a complete player.”