WA 18’s State Academy Program Launches New CampaignTuesday, May 2, 2023 - 3:17 PM

A squad of 32 players has been selected to represent WA at this year’s AFL National Championships (U18).

Reigning WAFL Colts Premiers Peel Thunder have six members in the group, which will be coached by Ben Dyer.

WAFC Talent Manager Adam Jones is excited about the potential of the squad.

“We’re really happy with the level of talent, and we look for players who can progress to AFL and WAFL league level.

A handful of players head into the National Championships with WAFL League experience this year, including Subiaco trio Robert Hansen Jnr, Luker Kentfield and Koltyn Tholstrup.

“There’s no doubt the boys who get to play at league level against bigger bodies and the speed of league football will be better prepared for the Championship games,” Jones said.

The AFL Draft is the end goal for many of the talented teenagers, but Jones believes their chances of entering the AFL system is enhanced by team success.

“We have players coming from 9 different WAFL clubs, all with individual goals.

Our ability to help them find the right chemistry as a group and play team football will go a long way towards team success, which improves the chances of individuals reaching their goals.”

In addition to the 32 names below, a small ‘train-on’ group will be given training experience with the squad with an eye to the future.

The players include Austin Van Der Struyf (Claremont/Christ Church), Will Hayes (Claremont), Zane Zakostelsky (Claremont), Cooper Moore (Perth), Malakai Champion (Subiaco) and Thomas Cathcart (Swan Districts).

That group will train with the squad on Monday and Tuesday nights and be available for club or school training on Thursday.

“We have done this in the past, and it’s a really good way of adding some bottom-age players or developing players to get some experience training with the squad and working with the staff, with an eye for the future,” Jones said.

 The squad will train Monday and Tuesday nights for the next 5 weeks before trial games against East Perth and Swan Districts Reserves teams.

WA will play four games in the 2023 AFL National Championships (U18), including against the Allies (Adelaide), South Australia (Optus Stadium), Vic Country (WACA) and Vic Metro (Melbourne).