Who caught the eye in first State 18s trial game

The AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys kicked off their preparations for the upcoming AFL National Under-18s Championship with a 51-point win over Swan Districts Reserves at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday.

There were plenty of standouts for the Black Swans, including Claremont ruck Benji van Rooyen who produced a massive performance with 22 disposals, 21 hit-out and four clearances, showcasing his follow-up work around the ground.

Fellow AFL Academy talent Garrison Kenh, a speedster from East Perth who’s part of West Coast’s Next Generation Academy, was also among the leading ball winners with 21 touches and seven marks playing mainly across half-back.

Lively East Fremantle and Fremantle NGA prospect Finlay Yeo was another player to catch the eye with 16 disposals, three inside 50s and a couple of score assists.

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Subiaco bottom-ager Sam O’Brien continued his hot form after a strong start to his EGT WAFL Colts campaign, racking up an equal team-high 22 possessions, five clearances and a goal, while Swan Districts over-aged bolter Sheldon Pickett also had 22 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 was a relatively even contribution on the scoreboard with four players kicking multiple goals, led by 196cm West Perth key forward Harvey Spawton-Guy who kicked 3.2

South Fremantle goalsneak Cam Maynard, his Bulldogs teammate Conor Bushe-Jones and in-form East Fremantle forward Oscar Richardson all kicked two majors apiece.

Several top draft prospects didn’t feature including South Fremantle gun Lucas Robinson who featured in his club’s league victory over West Perth in Joondalup on Sunday, with Koby LeCras making his senior debut for the Falcons in the same clash.

Claremont pair Heath Mellody and George Gale were among those who had PSA football commitments.

Like Robinson and LeCras, Swan Districts midfielder Leo Steed and over-aged Subiaco ruckman Frazer Rickson both featured at senior WAFL level over the weekend.

The State 18s Boys are back in action for their second trial game on Saturday against East Perth Reserves at Mineral Resources Park.

AAMI WA Football State 18s squad

Claremont: Benji van Rooyen, George Gale, Heath Mellody, Robby Farmer, Elijah Dennis, Harper Banfield, Elijah Williams, Jacob Kee, Tom Brown

East Fremantle: Cooper Ramsay, Finlay Yeo, James Artemis, Oscar Richardson, Marcus Motton, Ben Wood

East Perth: Garrison Kenh, Axel Walsh, Lachlan McGlade, Ethan Turner

Peel Thunder: Mitch Stirling

Perth: Jayden Clarke, Fynn Tomasini, Cody Lee

South Fremantle: Heath Wilson, Byron Foster, Lucas Robinson, Cam Maynard, Conor Bushe-Jones, Hudson Graham

Subiaco: Kyan Perera, Frazer Rickson, Sam O’Brien

Swan Districts: Leo Steed, Sheldon Pickett

West Perth: Koby LeCras, Harvey Spawton-Guy, Rafe Williamson, Maxim Collins, Campbell Creyk

Train-on players: Lachlan Sheldrick (Claremont), Damien Newry (Claremont), Noah Hannaford (East Fremantle), Hunter Hearn (East Fremantle), Taj Allan (Swan Districts)

WA’s AFL National Under-18s Championship fixtures

Saturday, June 13: v South Australia at Mineral Resources Park (10.30am)

Saturday, June 20: v Vic Metro at Cockburn ARC (11am)

Friday, July 3: v Vic Country in Melbourne (venue and time TBC)

Wednesday, July 8: v Allies in Melbourne (venue and time TBC)