Eight 2026 WA draft prospects to feature in AFL Grand Final curtain-raiserWednesday, September 3, 2025 - 10:41 AM - by Jordan McArdle

Eight of the best 2026 AFL Draft prospects from WA will get the chance to impress in the annual AFL Grand Final curtain-raiser at the MCG.

Headlined by Fremantle Next Generation Academy prospect and South Fremantle gun midfielder Lucas Robinson, West Coast NGA prospect Garrison Kenh from East Perth, and West Perth son of a gun Koby LeCras, the son of Falcons champion and North Melbourne key-position player Brent and nephew of West Coast legend Mark LeCras, the talented group of West Aussies will be looking to boost their draft stocks ahead of their top-age campaigns next season.

Robinson, Kenh and LeCras were all rewarded with All-Australian selections following the 2024 Under-16s National Championships, with Robinson named WA’s MVP of the tournament.

Other WA prospects picked in the annual AFL Futures Match clash, which features the best talents in the country, include Claremont trio George Gale, Heath Mellody and Benji van Rooyen, the younger brother of Melbourne forward Jacob van Rooyen, Harvey Spawton-Guy (West Perth) and Mitch Stirling (Peel Thunder).

Van Rooyen was a regular in WA's under-18s carnival campaign, leading the injury-hit ruck department admirably, while several others got a taste of the level.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for eight of our most promising 2026 AFL Draft prospects to go up against the country’s most talented young players in front of a host of AFL recruiters on the MCG on AFL Grand Final day,” WA Football’s State Talent Manager Adam Jones said.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how these boys progress over the next 12 months as they head into their draft year next year and we’re bullish about what they can achieve.

“They’ve already shown some exciting signs for their EGT WAFL Colts clubs and for Western Australia’s talent programs, with several impressing in this year’s AFL National Under-18s Championship as bottom-agers.”

The 2025 Marsh AFL National Futures clash will be broadcast live on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App from 7.35am on Saturday, September 27.