SWAN Districts forward Leo Steed has flown under the radar as one of Western Australia’s rising prospects, but that may not be the case for much longer. The 18-year-old was among his side’s best in an agonising one-point defeat to West Coast on Saturday, playing just his third League game.

After amassing 31 disposals, eight tackles and a goal in the opening Colts round, Steed earned a senior call-up and produced his best performance yet on the weekend. It comes after the Bunbury native and Wesley College graduate made the move to Perth, coming on leaps and bounds over preseason.

The 176cm talent shaved 20 seconds off his 2km time and achieved a top-five Yo-Yo Test score at the state testing combine in March. Such improvement has been build on the back of missing last year’s state winter squad, which the Under 16 All-Australian says added “fuel to the fire”.

We put Steed’s performance under the Player Focus microscope.

>> MORE: State teammates single Steed as one to watch

Swan Districts, Western AustraliaMidfielder-Forward

Leo Steed

Height: 176cm

Weight: -

DOB: 07-03-2008

STRENGTHS:

+ Clean hands
+ Competitiveness
+ Defensive pressure
+ Speed
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

– Kicking on the run
– Size

PLAYER FOCUS

2026 WAFL League: Round 4
West Coast 14.10 (94) def. Swan Districts 13.15 (93)

#41 Leo Steed (Swan Districts)
Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals, 2 behinds

FIRST QUARTER:

The first term was a difficult one for Steed and the Swans, as West Coast broke out to a five-goal head start within about 10 minutes. But the youngster helped kick his side’s scoring into gear with an inspirational forward 50 act.

At all of 176cm, Steed worked back hard to spoil 201cm Eagle Callum Jamieson, which saw the ball fall for Jackson McLachlan to soccer home Swan Districts’ opening goal. Operating as a high forward, Steed also worked up to the contest and looked to hurt West Coast on the way back to goal.

One passage saw him take off after an uncontested mark and stab a flat pass inside 50, albeit not quite pinpoint. He was a little scrappy under physical pressure but proved up for the hunt, despite his side being off the boil across the first half-hour.

SECOND QUARTER:

The second was clearly Steed’s best period, booting two goals and exhibiting outstanding defensive pressure. He forced several throw-ins by charging down opponents close to the boundary line, causing panic as he hunted them down at speed.

Steed’s first score came after a shrewd read to stay down and gather the ball over the back, before accelerating and finishing on the snap. His second goal came on the back of that elite pressure, catching Joshua Burke cold and converting his holding-the-ball free kick.

Still, for all his hard work, Steed’s Swans remained 28 points adrift at the main break.

THIRD QUARTER:

Steed’s ability to connect the line as a high forward shone in term three, as he formed a link between the centre stoppage and attacking 50. Pressing hard off the line, he gathered the ball cleanly and dished it off with minimal fuss, even throwing in a few sharp steps to evade opponents.

But arguably Steed’s best moment was his unbelievably gutsy mark inside 50, throwing himself at the contest to pluck the ball overhead. Unfortunately he put the set shot wide, but proved just how competitive he can be when the ball was there to be won.

In terms of his work further afield, Steed looked to use his speed on the outside and managed to hit up a couple of nice passes on the move. Whether in the air or at ground level, high or deep, he took each of his moments well.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Ironically, the fourth term was Steed’s quietest despite Swan Districts momentarily charging into the lead. He had another opportunity to impact the scoreboard, receiving the ball at speed and stepping inside but putting the shot wide. The Swans had plenty more chances go begging as the Eagles found a way to win in the dying stages.