Rising Stars in Western Australia’s Under-18s Squad
The under-18s state trial game last weekend highlighted several promising talents, with the younger brother of a Melbourne forward standing out. Benji Van Rooyen, the sibling of Demon Jacob, showcased his skills by recording 22 disposals, 21 hitouts, and four clearances in the match.
Claremont Colts coach Mark Cossom praised Benji’s ruck work, noting that he has taken it to another level. “He’s quite a leaping ruck so that suits him to run and jump at the contest which works really well,” Cossom said.
Benji, who is 203cm tall, has a height advantage over his older brother Jacob, who is five years his senior. He is well-regarded within the Western Australian ranks and carried the ruck load for the Black Swans as a bottom-ager last year. This year, he is expected to do the same again. He also participated in two AFL Academy games in April.
“Benji’s always been a mobile ruck around the ground but he’s put a lot of work in pre-season on his forward craft particularly his leading and overhead ability which has really come on,” Cossom added.
Another standout player in the Claremont squad is Harper Banfield, the younger brother of St Kilda’s Charlie. Harper was on the verge of an early-season debut before an injury setback. He played in the midfield last year and has since made the position his own.
“Going into this year, he did a heap of work on his gut running. His repeat efforts are elite,” Cossom said. “His two kilometre times and his ability to get up and down the ground as a midfielder has been impressive. The midfield is his natural game – he loves the contest, he’s competitive and his vision to see the advantageous option is amazing.”
Key Players in the WA Squad
Among the nine Claremont players in Western Australia’s squad for the Under-18s National Championships is AFL Academy member Heath Mellody. Mellody missed the first AFL Academy game due to injury but quickly made an impact in the second outing with his trademark kicking. He is viewed as a prototype half-back at the next level.
“He’s continued to work on that explosive pace to break through congestion and be able to use his weapons,” Cossom said. “His ability on both sides of his body to hit targets to advantage is really impressive and he’s doing work on his contested ball as well. We’re trying to build out his game that way which has been great. He’s one of those players who has the ability to run and carry the ball and deliver it. He has that in spades.”
George Gale is attracting draft interest after a strong start to 2026. His running power is a clear strength, and he has become a reliable winger for his side.
“He’s always had a great tank and been able to really run hard but he’s put a lot of work over summer into his explosiveness and ability to get metres on his opponent early…his running patterns have been really good and he can get up and back all game long,” Cossom said. “He’s been one of our standouts. He can find his own ball when he needs to but can also deliver it really well. He can open the ground up and get us going forward.”
Improvements and Contributions
Robbie Farmer, standing at 179cm, has become more of a presence up the field, having always possessed forward flair. “He’s improved his running capacity and tank. He’s dangerous inside 50 – when the ball hits the ground close to goal, he gets to work because he has the ability to lose his opponent – but that’s been a big improvement for him and it’s shone out when he’s played for us,” Cossom said.
Elijah Dennis, who is 193cm tall, has contributed significantly to Claremont’s undefeated start to the season through four games. He is difficult to get past as a shrewd aerialist.
“He’s the one I’ve seen the biggest improvement in over pre-season,” Cossom said. “He’s always been a good reader of the ball and marker but over pre-season, he’s worked on his one-on-one defensive acts and now he can beat a forward one-on-one as well as knowing when to come off his man and intercept mark. He’s probably been our most consistent player: ultra reliable and strong overhead, especially when he gets that separation and he takes the right option on turnover.”
Claremont also has competitive defender Tom Brown in the WA squad, who played an effective shutdown role on first round prospect Koby Lecras earlier in the season. Star bottom-aged defender Jacob Kee and agile half-back Elijah Williams round out the players in the squad.
