SUBIACO forward Wes Walley has both a name and play style that are easy to spot. The 17-year-old’s talent was recognised by the West Australian State Academy, and having played in last year’s Under 17 Futures showcase, he went on to be selected in the National Academy for 2025.

The Warwick-Greenwood junior is part of West Coast’s Next Generation Academy (NGA) and supports the Eagles, but bases his game off the likes of Charlie Cameron and Cyril Rioli. Above all others, though, he wants to be just like his dad.

Walley recently took part in WA’s preseason testing combine hosted by Rookie Me and had time for a chat about his footballing journey, being part of prestigious academies, and the top-age campaign ahead of him.

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PRESEASON Q&A

Q: Wes, can you take us through your footballing journey – how you got started to where you are now?

A: “I played Auskick since the beginning, but really started trying when I went to Warwick-Greenwood in Year 7. Won a [premiership] there, and then won another in Year 9. Then I found myself at Subi Futures, that’s when I started picking it up and started getting looked at a lot more.”

Q: What has it been like earning selection to the State and National Academies?

A: “It’s been an honour to get experience in such prestigious academies like that. I reckon it’s built me a lot, especially conditioning-wise and physically and everything like that.”

Q: What kind of learnings to you take from there back to the Subiaco Colts?

A: “I’m not really trying to be that person that will lead, but I’m always going to give one or two things to the boys because sometimes they’ll need it. Sometimes they don’t, but I’m always there to let them know.”

Q: What are the strengths of your game?

A: “Probably my leaping ability, it’s got a bit of speed in it. I reckon I’ve got pretty good ground ball IQ, I can get the ball out of congested areas. My right-foot kicking is pretty good as well.”

Q: Is there anything you’re still looking to improve on?

A: “Just conditioning really, that’s one of my weaknesses by far. The only thing that I reckon has let me down in games and training is conditioning.”

Q: What kind of role will you be playing this year?

A: “That’s an interesting one. During the Futures for Subiaco, I was a midfielder. Then I found myself forward. I love playing forward, don’t get me wrong. I feel like I’m a natural forward, but you can’t beat playing in the midfield. It’s just, a lot of adrenaline goes into it. So hopefully I can get looked at there.”

Q: Are there any players you mould your game on?

A: “Probably Charlie Cameron. I wanted to play like Cyril Rioli, I watch him before my games and still want to play like him. He’s probably the greatest of all time.”

Q: What kind of goals have you set for the year?

A: “Hopefully to have a good year with Subi and then State champs for WA. Obviously we’ve got the AFL Academy games in a couple of months, so hopefully I’ll just get my name out there a lot more and hopefully get looked at.”

Q: How has being part of West Coast’s NGA helped your development?

A: “They’ve been helping me since I was young, when I was still at Warwick-Greenwood. I was training with them Tuesdays and Thursdays, so they’ve boosted me a lot. There’s great people there. Chris Brown, he’s the [Academy Manager] there, he’s looked after me so well and all the West Coast boys are so welcoming. It’s like you’ve already been there for years.”

Q: Are you a West Coast fan then?

A: “Yeah, of course!”

Q: Have you been keeping an eye on the changes in bidding rules?

A: “I do, but I’m still not trying to focus on [changing NGA rules]. I’m trying to keep my arms open to anything that will happen. I mean, if it does go my way, I’ll be truly grateful.”

Q: Have you had any key mentors along the way?

A: “My mum and dad. They’ve just been with me the whole way, ever since I was young. Especially my dad, he played footy. Unfortunately he didn’t get looked at in the AFL, but watching him play when I was younger, he’s a bull and I just want to be just like him.”

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