WITH two rounds of National Championships action in the books, state squad members continue to press for representative selection back at club level. Both South and Western Australia were in action over the weekend, leaving plenty of budding prospects to show why they should get a chance on the big stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Australia’s winning team will be tough to crack but a trio of bottom-agers are doing their best to get a look-in after Round 11, while in Western Australia, a National Academy member continues to knock down the door having twice been overlooked. See how both states’ squad depth is shaping up after the weekend’s action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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2026 AAMI TALENT LEAGUE: ROUND 11<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After a thumping win over the Allies, those in the South Australian pathway will be buoyed by the emergence of bottom-age talent back at club level. Among them was game one starter Taj Garrett<\/a>, who got back in the swing of things with Sturt after being overlooked on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hard-running wingman posted 26 disposals, 10 marks and six rebound 50s as the Double Blues went down by 59 points to North Adelaide. Teammate Lachie Werts<\/a> (13 disposals, seven tackles) and Roosters utility Zackariah Young<\/a> (13 disposals, six tackles) also took the field having been rotated out of the state side, displaying their respective pressure games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elsewhere, recent state squad addition Thomas Gribben<\/strong> was the standout performer of the week. The 193cm defender racked up 33 disposals, 12 marks, nine rebound 50s and a goal despite Norwood suffering a 40-point defeat at the hands of Woodville-West Torrens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gribben’s performance saw him take out the AAMI Talent League’s Round 11 MVP award, further highlighting the kind of form he is in. Meanwhile, small forward Blake Karpany<\/a> did his part in the Eagles’ win, finishing with 11 disposals and four tackles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another 2027 draft prospect to impress was South Adelaide’s Hudson Boal<\/a>. A notable accumulator throughout the season, he racked up 26 touches, nine tackles and seven clearances in the Panthers’ narrow four-point loss to West Adelaide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Glenelg also had a couple of state players running around over the weekend in a 41-point defeat to Central District. Ben Copping<\/a> showed his wares through the midfield with 21 disposals, nine tackles, 10 clearances and a goal, while versatile tall Kai Edwards<\/a> managed 13 possessions and five marks. The latter also provided a chop-out in the ruck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After turning out in both of the opening National Championship weekends, South Australia will next take the field on Friday July 3, travelling to take on Vic Metro at Marvel Stadium.\u00a0There will be another full AAMI Talent League round between now and that fixture, taking place on Saturday June 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2026 WAFL COLTS: ROUND 11<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Western Australia may have some talent to call upon after the weekend’s defeat to Vic Metro, with several state squad members impressing back at Colts level. Perhaps the closest to a call-up is athletic East Perth defender Garrison Kenh<\/a>, a National Academy member being overlooked for selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dashing half-back racked up 28 disposals and a goal in the Royals 51-point loss to Peel Thunder, but impressed with his rebound ability. Meanwhile, Peel key defender Mitchell Stirling<\/a> put in a big shift for his first appearance since Round 3, amassing 22 disposals, 10 marks, seven inside 50s and a goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n East Fremantle had access to the most state talent in Round 11, fielding four squad members. Over-age ruckman Cooper Ramsay<\/a> was a positive story in the three-goal loss to Subiaco, stringing together consecutive games for the first time since 2024. He managed 12 touches, three tackles and 21 hitouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bottom-age tall Noah Hannaford<\/strong> was also amongst the ruck rotation with 16 hitouts to go with his 10 disposals and five marks. Spearhead forward Ben Wood<\/strong> was kept to one goal from 12 disposals and five marks, while Hunter Hearn<\/strong> had it 22 times. Fellow 2027 prospect Sam O’Brien<\/strong> was also prominent for Subiaco, collecting 24 disposals, four marks and six tackles in his side’s win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A promising pair also turned out for either side as South Fremantle beat West Perth by 44 points. Mobile Bulldogs ruckman Conor Bushe-Jones<\/a> showed his all-round talent with 16 disposals, 11 tackles, 13 hitouts and a goal, while gun Falcons bottom-ager Rafe Williamson<\/a> was typically productive with 27 touches, seven tackles and six inside 50s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nWESTERN AUSTRALIA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n