SWAN Districts midfielder Leo Steed has been the talk of the preseason out west, with several of his state summer squad teammates expecting big things in 2026. Steed missed out on last year’s winter squad, which he says has added “fuel to the fire” as he looks to impress during his top-age campaign.

Having already graduated from Wesley College, the Bunbury native recently moved up to Perth with bottom-ager Axel Walsh and will look to play full-time with the Swans this year. Steed has dropped 20 seconds off his 2km time and notched a top five yo-yo test score at this month’s preseason combine.

The 176cm prospect was an Under 16 All-Australian in 2024 and will look to establish himself at the representative level once again. He wasn’t the only player to warrant multiple mentions, though, as a total of 25 top-agers in the West Australian squad were surveyed by Rookie Me Central.

Claremont duo Harper Banfield and Tom Brown both pointed towards smooth-moving outside utility George Gale as one to watch. Gale was also complimentary of West Coast father-son candidate Banfield, who he says “has got some amazing strengths and is a great competitor”.

Similarly, AFL Academy members Heath Mellody and Benji van Rooyen were quick to pick each other. The pair have known each other since primary school and grew up playing juniors together. Mellody said van Rooyen had been doing the extras, while van Rooyen described Mellody’s skills as “amazing”.

Among a strong list of contenders, Subiaco’s Kyan Perera hopes big-bodied midfielder Thatcher Simmons can return strongly from injury. The small forward is also high on emerging Perth prospect Jamayson Ketchup, who warranted a mention from Demons teammate Jayden Clarke.

Outside of the state squad, Riley Stannard was a name on his South Fremantle teammates’ lips. The midfielder was identified by Heath Wilson and Byron Foster as a breakout contender, while Lucas Robinson has been impressed by Foster’s move from ruck to key position defence in state colours.

Another couple names to watch from outside the summer squad include Peel Thunder forward James Whelan – put forward by Mitchell Stirling – and Swan Districts’ Jai Debono – nominated by Steed. Whelan competed in state trials, while Debono was an Under 15 SSA All-Australian in 2023.

The 2026 WAFL Colts season is set to get underway on Thursday April 2, with the usual 20-round campaign culminating in late-August before finals. Stay tuned to Rookie Me Central each week, where we’ll post Scouting Notes for every week of the home-and-away season.