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WA under-18s coach Ben Dyer on Tyrell Dewar, Jed Adams, Reuben Ginbey and more

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Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Tyrell Dewar of Western Australia kicks the ball during the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Vic Country and Western Australia at GMHBA Stadium on July 17, 2022 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Camera IconGEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Tyrell Dewar of Western Australia kicks the ball during the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Vic Country and Western Australia at GMHBA Stadium on July 17, 2022 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

West Coast Next Generation Academy talent Tyrell Dewar has emerged as a draft prospect after an exciting national under-18s championship up forward for WA.

The Kalgoorlie and Subiaco product played in three of the four games and had an important role in the Black Swans’ drought-breaking victory over South Australia at Pentanet Stadium in Joondalup on Sunday.

Dewar, who moved to Perth last year to board at Wesley College, booted two goals from 13 disposals and six marks including a classy finish on the run in the opening term.

WA coach Ben Dyer had been impressed with the 18-year-old’s transformation from a defender to a forward and described him as a hard-working kid off the field.

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The Eagles have priority access to Dewar, provided his falls outside of the top-40 picks in the national draft.

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He’s one of several West Coast NGA members in the WA squad including East Perth speedster Jordyn Baker and bottom-aged Perth and Scotch ruck Coen Livingstone.

“Tyrell Dewar was probably playing as a defender in the early part of the colts season,” Dyer told The West Australian.

“We just thought he’d have some attributes that AFL clubs would be interested in.

“He’s got that speed off the mark, he can get forward of the ball and he can finish when he gets an opportunity.

“We were probably OK for defenders so we thought that up forward could be a part of the ground where he could have an impact, hit the scoreboard and give us a little bit of pressure.

“He’s still got to improve his pressure but in three of the games, he’s been able to cause the opposition some issues in the forward 50.

“His off-field is really strong with his attention to detail and really keen to review his game every week and try to get better.

“(Claremont and Hale forward) Harry Cole is probably enough one who has elevated his standing I think.”

Dyer felt East Perth midfielder and Wesley College captain Reuben Ginbey had climbed the draft rankings after a consistent carnival in the midfield.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Reuben Ginbey of Western Australia in action during the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Vic Country and Western Australia at GMHBA Stadium on July 17, 2022 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Camera IconGEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Reuben Ginbey of Western Australia in action during the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Vic Country and Western Australia at GMHBA Stadium on July 17, 2022 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Ginbey won the State’s MVP award after amassing 20-plus disposals in each of the four matches as he firms as a first-round pick.

“He’s been very consistent and out of our group, he’s the one that’s really elevated himself in recruiters’ estimations,” Dyer said.

“He’s got a terrific platform for performance because he just competes and he’s unconditional in his effort, from the start of the game to the finish.

“He’s got a really good blend of power and endurance as well and not every player has that.

“He’s certainly at the forefront of any selections that will be made in our State, we’ve just got to work out where he lies with the other midfielders in the draft.”

Another player who made the most of his opportunities in the carnival was Peel Thunder key defender Jed Adams.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Jed Adams of Western Australia in action during the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Vic Country and Western Australia at GMHBA Stadium on July 17, 2022 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Camera IconGEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Jed Adams of Western Australia in action during the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Vic Country and Western Australia at GMHBA Stadium on July 17, 2022 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Adams played the last two games after top-10 prospect Jedd Busslinger went down with a season-ending shoulder injury and showed plenty down back with his booming left boot and ability to read the play.

He took a game-high three intercept marks to go with four one-per-cent efforts and 14 disposals against the Croweaters.

“I think we were probably going to find a way to play him anyway because his two trial games were really good and he was a bit stiff to lose come out when he did once the carnival started,”

“He’s just really improved and his form at Peel was good earlier in the year, he can intercept mark and he’s a nice penetrating left-foot kick.

“He showed against South Australia that he can defend but also offer a bit offensively.”

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