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AFL Draft

Cody walks out with fellow Albany boy Jordan Clark.

starlight Young Cody’s starring moment with the boys in purple

After months of appointments, hospital stays and procedures, an Albany seven-year-old had a smile you couldn’t wipe away last week when he was selected to run out with his favourite AFL team at Optus Stadium.

Melissa Sheil

Noah Braun celebrates one of his two goals for WA’s under-18 side against the Allies.

WAFLCommentsPremiumSon-of-an-Eagles-gun used selection snub as motivation

A strong pair of performances at the back-end of the under-18 national championships have given Noah Braun a massive boost in confidence as the West Coast father-son prospect pursues his AFL dream.

Josh Kempton

WA's under-18 side have produced a strong national championships campaign.

WAFLCommentsPremiumWhat WA’s under-18 carnival might mean for draft numbers

A strong national championships campaign from WA’s under-18 side has helped to bolster the credentials of several of the State’s prospects for the AFL draft, according to WA Football’s State talent manager.

Josh Kempton

Fremantle could lose half of their remaining games and still finish in the top two following an unprecedented purple patch.

AFLCommentsPremiumMagic number? How many wins Dockers need to secure top two

Fremantle could lose half of their remaining games and still finish in the top two following an unprecedented purple patch in the first half of the 2026 season, according to numbers obtained by The West.

James Palumbo

Michael Braun’s son Noah has earned a call-up to WA’s under-18s side which will take on Victoria Country on Friday.

WAFLCommentsPremiumSon-of-a-gun wins under-18s call-up as Freo prospect injured

The son of a West Coast premiership star and an Eagles Next Generation Academy prospect have earned call-ups to WA’s under-18s side, but one of the State’s top draft prospects has been sidelined by injury.

Josh Kempton

Marc Webb says WA will not get ahead of themselves after opening the under-18 national championships with a win.

WAFLCommentsPremiumWA’s under-18s staying grounded after stirring first-up win

After a stirring first-up win over last year’s national championships winners South Australia, Western Australia under-18 coach Marc Webb has spoken on how his side will attack the rest of the carnival.

Josh Kempton

Leo Steed has been WA’s early draft riser.

WAFLCommentsPremiumWhy Bunbury boy is rocketing up AFL draft boards

Leo Steed might not be able to wow AFL recruiters with his size or speed, but the Bunbury product is shooting up draft boards around the country on the back of a brilliant start to the season.

Josh Kempton

WA co-captain Leo Steed impressed.

WAFLCommentsPremiumTop prospects shine as WA flip the script in champs opener

Western Australia’s top prospects have starred to inspire the State’s under-18 side to a dramatic win over defending champions South Australia in the first game of the national championships.

Josh Kempton

Elijah Hewett is at a crossroads.

opinion
opinion
AFLCommentsPremium
opinion
Motormouth Mitch: The first-round Eagle at a crossroads

West Coast’s list is chocked with young talent but there’s a first-round pick at the Eagles whose career is at a bit of a cross-roads. Mitchell Woodcock takes a look at what is next for the youngster.

Mitchell Woodcock

Marcus Herbert only has six months to prove himself.

AFLVideoCommentsPremiumHerbert’s huge gamble to achieve AFL dream

Marcus Herbert is preparing for football’s ultimate audition, with the mature-age defender uprooting his life in country Victoria to move to Perth on a six-month contract at West Coast.

Mitchell Woodcock

Sport. AFL. Jaxon Artemis has just drafted to the Essendon Bombers.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
AFLCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Artemis turns down offer from the Devils to fly with Bombers

Jaxon Artemis has backed himself to make an instant impact at Essendon, turning down a long-term contract from Tasmania to be part of their inaugural AFL side to be picked in the mid-season rookie draft.

Mitchell Woodcock

Tiger Zac Mainwaring and Bulldog Jaxon Artemis.

AFLCommentsPremiumFormer Bulldog could be unleashed against Eagles

WA draftee Jaxon Artemis could make his debut for Essendon as soon as this Sunday against West Coast at Optus Stadium after the beleaguered Bombers took him with the first pick in the mid-season draft. 

Mitchell Woodcock

Jaxon Artemis, Caleb May and Tom Bell are among the top prospects

AFLCommentsRECAP: Who are the newest Eagles after draft shock?

West Coast have made two shock selections in the mid-season draft, taking the son of a Port Adelaide gun, while a WAFL premiership star went as No.1. SEE EVERY SELECTION.

Jake Santa Maria

Kane Bevan, Jaxon Artemis and Jasper Peace are among WA's mid-season draft hopefuls.

AFLCommentsPremiumThe seven leading mid-season draft hopefuls from WA

There are more than half a dozen West Australians who are a chance to realise their AFL dream in the mid-season rookie draft on Tuesday. Meet the seven top hopefuls.

Mitchell Woodcock

A stint at Peel Thunder could be what Sean Darcy needs to return to his best, writes Mitchell Woodcock.

opinion
opinion
AFLCommentsPremium
opinion
Motormouth Mitch: Why Freo can’t rush Darcy back before bye

Fremantle must take a patience and conservative approach to the return of ruckman Sean Darcy. And if that means a significant stint down at Peel Thunder in the WAFL then so be it, writes Mitchell Woodcock.

Mitchell Woodcock

Jaxon Artemis has gone from being overlooked in the 2024 draft to becoming the hottest prospect for the 2026 mid-season draft.

AFL DraftCommentsPremiumOverlooked to undeniable: How Artemis became No.1 prospect

After being the hard-luck story of Western Australia’s 2024 draft class, Jaxon Artemis has used a stint with Tasmania to catapult himself into No.1 pick contention for the upcoming mid-season draft.

Mitchell Woodcock

East Perth backman Jake Soutar.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
AFLCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Royals teenage defender gets interest from Victorian club

An East Perth backman looms as the most surprising of state league footballers to be picked up in the mid-season rookie draft on Tuesday, with a Victorian club showing interest.

Mitchell Woodcock

Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves believes he is ready to step up into the AFL.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
WAFLCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Lion declares himself ready for AFL after draft ‘trauma’

After being overlooked in last year’s AFL drafts in stunning circumstances, Subiaco recruit Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves says his growth as a player and a person has made him ready to achieve his dream.

Josh Kempton

Tom Bell is on the Eagles’ radar.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
AFLVideoCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Eagles eye mature-age key defensive duo in mid-season draft

Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) are interested in a pair of mature-age West Australian defenders as they look to replenish their backline stocks in the mid-season rookie draft later this month.

Mitchell Woodcock

Can Zac Mainwaring follow in father Chris’ AFL footsteps?

AFLCommentsPremiumSon of West Coast Eagles great edging closer to AFL dream

There is growing belief that a son of a West Coast great could be a shock selection in the AFL mid-season rookie draft later this month.

Mitchell Woodcock

West Coast father-son prospect Noah Braun produced a massive performance for Claremont.

AFL DraftPremiumEagles son-of-a-gun has HUGE day in WAFL colts

West Coast father-son prospect Noah Braun says he’s ‘on top of the world’ after he set an incredible record in the WAFL colts, racking up a whopping 52 disposals for Claremont on Saturday night.

Mitchell Woodcock

Fremantle will come up against one of the AFL’s premier small forwards in Nick Watson on Thursday.

AFLCommentsPremiumWhy the ‘Wizard’ is so dangerous ahead of date with Dockers

Fremantle’s defence will need to confront one of the toughest tasks in football when they take on Hawthorn on Thursday night — stopping Nick Watson.

Josh Kempton

Koby LeCras in action for West Perth in his league debut against South Fremantle.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
AFLCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
ACL blow for young gun LeCras

Top West Australian draft hopeful Koby LeCras has a partially torn ACL which is set to keep the exciting forward out of this year’s Under-18 national championships.

Mitchell Woodcock

Axel Walsh will play his first game of the year on Saturday.

AFL CommentsPremium‘Really rare’ talent: WA potential No.1 pick back in action

Western Australia’s top prospect and potential No.1 pick in the 2027 draft will be unleashed this weekend, with Axel Walsh set to play his first game of the year. 

James Palumbo