HAVING seen its club-tied talent spread across the competition in last year’s draft, West Coast will hope to hold onto its latest Next Generation Academy (NGA) star in Garrison Kenh. The soccer convert is a Carlton fan who models his game on Adam Saad, boasting similar speed and dare off half-back.

The 182cm athletic phenom has already caught the eye with such traits, able to both defend and attack at an outstanding level. He has been part of Western Australia’s state pathway since he switched codes and was inducted into the prestigious National Academy heading into 2026.

We sat down for an interview with Kenh at WA’s preseason testing combine in Perth on Sunday.

>> AFL Draft | State in Focus: Western Australia

Q&A

Q: Garrison, can you walk me through your footballing journey so far?

GK: I started as a soccer player, probably when I was three until I was 12. So at the end of Year 6 I think is when I switched to footy. Obviously mates got me into footy as well. I played my first game in Year 7 for Bassendean Junior Football Club, that was my first club, and went into the state program that year. Obviously it was my first time playing footy so to be in the state program for the first time was pretty good… I’ve enjoyed the journey. I’ve met a lot of new people, new faces and new coaches, so it’s been a hell of journey and there’s more to come as well.

Q: What sort of things have you learned from your experiences in the state and national programs, and training with the Eagles?

GK: I think all the programs I’ve been in, obviously it’s a bit different. At the Eagles they’re a bit older and you learn a whole lot from them. They’ve been there, done that. Then at East Perth and State, it’s the same age group so I think an experienced player like me [can] help them boys out. In the AFL Academy we’re also learning a lot from there. Coaches that have been there and played AFL, so they know what they’re doing teaching us younger boys. So I think for me, it’s just taking the stuff I get from those coaches and then bringing it back to East Perth and state and just helping the upcoming boys to improve their game.

Q: Out of all the voices you hear across those programs, have you had a standout mentor?

GK: I have. For the Eagles I had Shannon Hurn. He helped me a lot. He was there from the start, just teaching me the little things, obviously positioning and stuff. He was really a key voice in my ear, telling me what to do. It helped me out a lot.

Q: Are you an Eagles supporter?

GK: I’m not an Eagles supporter, I go for Carlton… I have family from there, my cousin goes for them and I just thought I’d just hop onboard and go for them.

Q: How has your preseason been so far?

GK: It’s been good. I feel a lot fitter this year, feel better. There’s obviously a lot of areas to improve in, but to start off I feel good.

Q: Where do you plan on playing this year in terms of role and position?

GK: I’ll probably stick with half-back, but I’ll be happy with any other position. I think I’ll probably get up the ground more, [up to] a wing, but half-back is probably where I am right now.

Q: What are some of your strengths, and the areas you’re still looking to improve on?

GK: I’ll start off with my strengths. I think my strengths are my speed and my aerial work. On the speed side of things I’m obviously able to get back in defence quickly or rush forwards. Something to work on is probably my contest work, being physical around the ball and working my opponent, or just working back harder sometimes.

Q: Are there any players you try to model your game on?

GK: I look at Adam Saad from Carlton, obviously his run and dash from half-back. I think that’s where got my [game]. And then Nasiah (Wanganeen-Milera) as well from St. Kilda. I watch bit of their games and see how they go about things and pick a few things from them to bring into my game.

Q: What are some of your goals for the year?

GK: Obviously to play championships and make the winter squad, so do the best in Colts and have a good Colts season. Then in the back-end probably to get a League game or two. But the hard work starts now and we’ll see where it pays off at the end.

Q: Is there a teammate you think we should look out for to have a big year?

GK: I’ll say Lachlan McGlade. I think he’s going to have a good year this year.