WA U18 squad 2017

[Kwality]

At the end of last year’s draft process, with 16 locals picked up by AFL clubs, WA Football Commission officials were hopeful they had reached a turning point after several lean seasons.

On talent alone this year’s crop won’t quite reach the same heights, but they will be given every opportunity to stake their claim with spots up for grabs at the national championships.

AFL Academy members Jake Patmore and 196cm defender Sam Taylor are considered the state’s best draft candidates and will be two players to watch during the tournament, beginning against South Australia at Domain Stadium on June 10.

Taryce Stewart is another to watch out for after kicking eight goals in five league games at Swan Districts this season. Forward Gordon Narrier (Perth) and ruckman Oliver Eastland (Claremont) are the others with league experience.

WA should also get plenty of work out of some 17-year-olds already tipped to feature in next year’s draft.

Northam’s Ian ‘Bobby’ Hill is being watched closely by recruiters after a remarkable show of skill at last year’s under-16 tournament. The Wesley student kicked eight goals in three games to be named the state’s MVP and ended up with a decent showreel of high-flying marks.

2017 DEPPRO WA STATE 18s ACADEMY – 1st Intake

Brayden Ainsworth - Subiaco / Ports

Oscar Allen - West Perth / Whitfords

Christian Ameduri - East Perth / Noranda

Jordan Boullineau - Peel / Baldivis

Jaxon Cahill - East Perth / Noranda / Trinity

Jarrod Cameron - Swan Districts / Centrals (Newman) / Aquinas

Jason Carter - Claremont / Port Wyndham / Aquinas

Damon Cramer - Peel / Rockingham

Sam East - East Perth / Manjimup Imperials

Oliver Eastland - Claremont / Swanbourne

Callan England - Claremont / Wembley Downs / Hale

Jarrad Faziolli - Peel / Cardinals

Johhny Frampton - South Fremantle / Kardinya

Damon Greaves - East Perth / Busselton

Kyron Hayden - Subiaco / Hale

Ian Hill - Perth / Northam Barons JFC / Wesley

Tom Joyce - East Fremantle / Melville / Aquinas

Ben Miller - Subiaco / Railways (Kalgoorlie)

Lachy Mitchell - Peel / Baldivis

Gordon Narrier - Perth / Hale

Aaron Naughton - Peel / Rockingham

Jake Patmore - Claremont / Swanbourne / Christ Church

Aaron Redhead - East Perth / Killarney Vale (NSW)

Chris Scott - East Fremantle / Rovers (Geraldton)

Sydney Stack - Perth / Northam Barons

Brandon Starcevich* - East Perth / Mt Lawley-Inglewood / Trinity

Taryce Stewart - Swan Districts / Midvale

Sam Taylor - Swan Districts / Upper Swan / Guildford Grammar

Durak Tucker - Peel / Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault / Guildford Grammar

Connor West - West Perth / Joondalup-Kinross

Matt Young - East Perth / Augusta-Margaret River

http://www.wafootball.com.au/news/12251/deppro-wa-state-academy-1st-intake