Western Australia have selected three ruckmen — including the leading contender to be the No.1 pick in next year’s draft and the brother of an AFL star — for their under-18 national championships opener against South Australia on Saturday.

Axel Walsh, Benji van Rooyen and Frazer Rickson have each been picked for a clash against the defending-champion Croweaters at Mineral Resources Park.

Last month, WA State talent manager Adam Jones forecast to The West Australian van Rooyen, a member of the AFL Academy and the younger brother of Melbourne forward Jacob, would likely lead the side’s ruck division throughout the championships.

The smooth-moving 202cm tall Walsh can also play as a key defender and has even had stints on the wing throughout the side’s trial games ahead of the carnival.

Overager Rickson was favoured as Subiaco’s No.1 ruckman at league level in the first eight games of the WAFL season before being given a rest last weekend.

Top 2026 prospect Heath Mellody had been dealing with a calf concern ahead of the game but has been passed fit and will play.

AFL Academy member Garrison Kenh, who is also a member of West Coast’s Next Generation Academy, has been overlooked for the clash, with the dashing half-back instead listed as one of four emergencies.

Bullocking midfielder Lucas Robinson, who has been starring in South Fremantle’s senior side, and dynamic midfielder-forward Fin Yeo are the two Fremantle NGA-linked players named in the side.

West Coast father-son prospect Harper Banfield — the son of two-time premiership star Drew — will also play alongside fellow Eagles academy members Kyan Perera and Lachlan McGlade, with Michael Braun’s son Noah figuring as an emergency.

South Australia will be captained by top-10 draft fancy Kodah Edwards but Dougie Cochrane, a Port Adelaide-linked prospect widely considered to be the most talented player in this year’s pool, is sidelined by a knee issue.

Western Australia under-18s vs South Australia under-18s

Saturday, 10.30am, Mineral Resources Park

B: H Graham F Rickson F Tomasini

HB: H Mellody B Foster E Turner

C: G Gale L Steed J Artermis

HF: L McGlade H Spawton-Guy F Yeo

FF: C Maynard A Walsh K Perera

FOL: B van Rooyen L Robinson H Banfield

I/C: H Wilson T Brown M Motton M Collins O Richardson

EMG: J Clarke G Kenh R Williamson N Braun