Emerging WAFL stars take another step towards AFL futureTuesday, June 14, 2016 - 1:11 PM - by Chris Pike

DARCY Cameron, Tim Kelly, Luke Meadows and Jye Bolton all further enhanced their reputations in Saturday's WAFL state game victory over Tasmania and WA coach Darren Harris wouldn’t be surprised to see all four in the AFL in 2017.

The WAFL state team defeated South Australia by 45 points last year and from that side Ryan Davis and Shane Yarran ended up being drafted into the AFL by the Gold Coast Suns and Fremantle Dockers respectively.

Now from the WA side that scored a record 134-point victory over Tasmania there will be several players who will be in the mix to be drafted later in the year including Claremont's Cameron, South Fremantle's Kelly, West Perth's Meadows and Simpson Medallist Bolton.

That's why Harris was keen to have a good blend in the WAFL team of those players on the rise along with leaders with plenty of AFL and WAFL experience including Paul Johnson, Brett Peake, Jay van Berlo, Ryan Cook, Ashton Hams, Andrew Stephen, Clint Jones and Matt Riggio.

Bolton was the standout player in a game where all 23 players were strong performers for WA.

The Claremont midfielder finished with 46 possessions, 12 marks, seven clearances and two goals.

As a result, Harris wouldn’t be surprised at all to see the 24-year-old be looked at seriously by AFL clubs at season's end particularly because he would be ready to play and have an impact at the top level starting Round 1, 2017.

"If you look at a bloke who wins as much inside ball as he does and works so hard, and finds it, getting 46 touches and two goals speaks for itself," Harris said.

"He has been consistent like that all year as well. At AFL level, if you have a bloke like that who is sitting on the rookie-list or who is a top up it's a pretty quality top up so you wouldn’t say no."

Bolton isn’t the only player who Harris feels will come under serious consideration by AFL clubs later this year though.

Cameron is an emerging big man who is equally capable of taking marks and kicking goals as he is of being a tremendous tap ruckman. He had a strong showing in Saturday's state game as well with 13 possessions, eight marks, 13 hit outs and three goals.

Kelly has now played 60 WAFL matches at South Fremantle despite being just 21 years of age and he got the chance to make his state debut on Saturday as well where he looked good with 14 possessions, five marks and three inside-50 entries.

With his rare ability to win the hard contested ball, break the lines with his speed and put on huge defensive pressure, Harris feels he has too many outstanding traits to not get a chance in the AFL.

Meadows is another WAFL star on the rise having cemented his place on the West Perth back-line in 2016. He had a tremendous performance on Saturday with the 21-year-old finishing with 25 possessions, seven marks, three inside-50 entries and three rebounds from defensive 50.

With his toughness, kicking skills and all-round ability, Harris sees him as readymade for the AFL.

"We had both ends of the spectrum and it was Peakey's first game, but also for Darcy Cameron his contribution was excellent. He really competed and he deserves a chance at the next level based on what I've seen," Harris said.

"Tim Kelly has been an outstanding WAFL player for a few years and is another bloke that I really think is draftable. He has a lot of qualities that are elite.

"And Luke Meadows is a lot bigger than you think he is, has great strength and he kicks the ball outstandingly well. He had 25 touches off half-back and as the game went on he looked more and more comfortable. There was a good blend of experience and newer players who all played well."