Western Australia reveals initial Under 18 squad
WESTERN Australia’s initial Under 18 squad has been revealed ahead of a series of trial games before this year’s National Championships. The 39-player roster is slated for five fixtures against WAFL Reserves sides, before a showcase match against the WAFL Under 20s on Saturday May 16. The revamped schedule marks an expansion of the state […]
Scouting Notes: Bulldogs exact revenge in Grand Final rematch
SOUTH Fremantle has held on to claim a thrilling four-point win in Saturday’s WAFL Colts Grand Final rematch against Claremont. After going down in last year’s decider, the Bulldogs reigned supreme at Fremantle Oval, but it wasn’t without a fright as Charlie Anning missed a tough shot from the boundary to put Claremont ahead in […]
Scouting Notes: Tigers outlast Falcons in arm-wrestle
CLAREMONT has begun its latest premiership defence with a grinding seven-point win over West Perth in Joondalup on Saturday night. In what was a scrappy, low-scoring encounter to close out Round 1 of the new Colts season, the Tigers and Falcons were separated by no more than one point at each break. We took note […]
Preseason Q&A: Heath Mellody (Claremont)
AMONG a promising West Australian state squad this year is National Academy member Heath Mellody, a Colts premiership player out of Claremont. The 184cm midfielder/defender is renowned for his foot skills and decision making, which helped him establish a place in WA’s state side as a bottom-ager. We sat down for an interview with Mellody […]
TOP 5s | 2026 West Australian Boys Preseason Testing
WESTERN Australia’s speedsters showed out at the recent preseason testing combine, with state squad member Finlay Yeo setting a new AFL agility test record. The East Fremantle and Dockers Next Generation Academy (NGA) member stopped the clock at 7.642 seconds to break new ground ahead of his top-age season. >> SCROLL to see the Top […]
Preseason Q&A: George Gale (Claremont)
CLAREMONT heads into 2026 on the back of a third-consecutive WAFL Colts flag, still possessing a wealth of exciting prospects. Among them is stylish outside utility George Gale. The wingman/defender averaged 20.1 disposals and 5.3 marks per game in last year’s premiership side, utilising his sharp foot skills and composed decision making along the way. […]
State teammates single Steed as one to watch
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 […]
Preseason Q&A: Benji van Rooyen (Claremont)
CLAREMONT ruck Benji van Rooyen continues to grow heading into his top-age season, both on and off the field. Now standing at an imposing 203cm, he will hope to follow in the footsteps of his two elder brothers who traversed the same footballing pathway before him. With brother Jacob currently on Melbourne’s books, van Rooyen […]
AFL Draft | State in Focus: Western Australia
WESTERN Australia has invested in the long-term when it comes to its Under 18 program, and while the state endured a 1-3 National Championships campaign last year, it also produced 10 draftees. Six bottom-agers were blooded in 2025 and they are among the 15 players from last year’s winter squad to feature in the 2026 […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Claremont’s killer Colts
WEST Australian powerhouse Claremont has proven to be a juggernaut at Colts level in recent history, claiming three consecutive premierships and producing a raft of eventual draftees. The trend is set to continue into 2026, with the Tigers contributing an equal-high nine players to WA’s state summer squad. >> SPOTLIGHT: Northern Knights’ tall trio With […]
