State 18s, 16s ramp up carnival prep with trial games against West PerthFriday, May 23, 2025 - 9:40 AM - by Jordan McArdle

Western Australia’s Under-18s are set to be bolstered by the return of two key players for their second trial match against West Perth reserves at Joondalup’s HIF Health Insurance Oval on Saturday.

South Fremantle and Fremantle Next Generation Academy pair Toby Whan are Ryda Luke have been cleared to play in a massive boost for the squad.

The pair missed the Black Swans’ first hit-out ahead of the AFL National Under-18s Championships, a loss to the WAFL Under-21s at Fremantle Community Bank Oval last Saturday, through injury.

Whan has been one of the standouts of the EGT WAFL Colts competition this season, averaging 29 disposals across his five games to go with five majors.

Luke burst onto the scene with a remarkable eight-goal, eight-kick performance against Swan Districts in Round 3 and had 13 goals in three games before he was sidelined.

West Perth key-position player Lochlain Carpenter has been added to the State 18s squad and will face his WAFL team on Saturday.

It’s the second of three trial games for WA as preparations ramp up for the team’s national carnival opener against Vic Country at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday 7 June.

The game kicks off at 10.30am on Saturday.

WA’s under-16s are also in action this weekend, coming together for their first game of the year against West Perth colts under lights at HIF Health Oval on Friday night.

East Fremantle’s James Artemis, Subiaco’s Angus Abbonizio and West Perth pair Campbell Creyk and Rafe Williamson are among the players to watch for the 16s, whose national carnival gets underway against South Australia at HIF Health Insurance Oval on Saturday 21 June.

East Perth ruck Axel Walsh and Swan Districts talent Taj Allan are among the highly-rated players unavailable for the trial match, which gets underway at 6.30pm.