AFL Draft 2024: All the standouts and stats from the WA v SA under-18 championships game
After concerns earlier in the year Western Australia could have its most barren draft haul in years, some kids from the West are rocketing up draft boards. Here are all the standouts and exclusive stats.
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If you think Western Australia has no elite talent coming through the draft this year, think again.
The Sandgropers absolutely dominated South Australia in Sunday’s under-18s national championships clash at Alberton, running out convincing 67-point winners.
Many draft followers know the name Bo Allen; the Western Australian skipper who was dubbed the state’s only real elite talent for 2024, but now scouts will have circled the names of Luke Urquhart, Max Rohr and a few others.
Rohr was particularly impressive for Western Australia, dominating up forward as the key target and booting three goals to half time.
The 197cm forward finished the game with four goals in a dominant display, punishing South Australia in both the air and when the ball hit the deck.
Urquhart outshone Allen in the middle with his explosive burst of speed from the contest, collecting 19 disposals (16 kicks), seven clearances and 605 metres gained.
He is a 183cm prospect who was good in the loss against the Allies, but starred in Sunday’s win.
Urquhart’s burst from the contest was eerily similar to Chad Warner, who also hailed from Western Australia.
Despite the heavy loss, South Australia and Carlton fans alike would have been pleased with the promising performances from Ben and Lucas Camporeale.
The pair of father-son Blues both played through the midfield and down back, and were classy with the ball movement.
SCOUTING NOTES
Lucas Camporeale
(South Australia)
29 disposals, five marks, five tackles, 672 metres gained
The leading ball-winner for the game, he started on the wing but moved down back to fill his brother’s role when Ben Camporeale was moved into the midfield. It worked wonders for him personally, playing as the quarterback for South Australia. Composed with ball in hand and elite with his use, he’ll excite Carlton fans a lot this year.
Ben Camporeale
(South Australia)
23 disposals, six tackles, 262 metres gained
Started off the half back flank, then moved into the centre square after quarter time, Camporeale was injected into the engine room because of Western Australia’s dominance early. He was not able to stem the flow completely, but he did have nice movements. He used the ball well by foot early, but his role change meant he was dishing plenty of handballs for the rest of the game, winning it in the contest and feeding it out. Plenty to like in a multi-role performance, despite a heavy loss.
Alex Dodson
(South Australia)
20 disposals, five clearances, 22 hit outs
The best of the rucks, Dodson won the majority of the hit outs for the day. His follow-up work was also impressive, being just one of six players to eclipse the 20-disposal mark.
Dyson Sharp
(South Australia)
15 disposals, five tackles, three clearances
The under-ager was not as impressive as his game against the Allies, but with all the action against the Croweaters he was one who stood out in moments. He had a chance to slot a set shot in the dying seconds of the third quarter but pushed it right, however he worked hard all day. Sharp will be one to watch in 2025.
Tyler Welsh
(South Australia)
3 disposals, two marks, two tackles, 0.2 kicked
Entering the championships as one of the top key-position prospects, it was a day to forget for the Crows father son. Welsh was well held, albeit with limited supply. He did have two set shots, with the second being 15 metres out and almost directly in front, but he squandered both chances.
Luke Urquhart
(Western Australia)
19 disposals, seven clearances, four marks, 605m gained
Would have been best on if it weren’t for a dominant display up forward from Max Rohr. He only had 19 disposals but used it very well, exploding from the contest and charging forward. His dashing play style doesn’t make him the cleanest of ball users, with a couple of turnovers going inside forward 50, but he was exciting out of the contest and happy to take the game on.
Bo Allan
(Western Australia)
19 disposals, six tackles, five clearances
A consistent performer inside the engine room, the skipper led from the front with unrelenting pressure and hard-nosed ballwinning. Touted as WA’s only potential first-round prospect, he did his reputation no harm with a strong performance. He used it well when he had it and applied great pressure when he didn’t. A perfect pairing with Urquhart’s dash.
Max Rohr
(Western Australia)
14 disposals, three marks, 4.1 kicked
Should’ve had five, could’ve had seven. Rohr was unstoppable up forward, booting a game-high four goals. He missed a relatively easy shot at goal, gave one to Kayle Gerreyn in the goal square during the fourth quarter, and juggled a mark out of bounds when he was uncontested. But the 197cm 19-year-old prospect won’t complain. Playing WAFL reserves for Subiaco, he hasn’t kicked a bigger bag in 2024.
Darcy Petersen
(Western Australia)
12 disposals, five marks, 219m gained
Petersen spent the majority of the day playing on South Australia’s Tyler Welsh and did a remarkable job on the top-five prospect. Petersen kept him to three touches and no goals, outmarked him at times and gave WA a stable look in defence.
Kayle Gerreyn
(Western Australia)
14 disposals, three marks, eight hit outs, 3.0 kicked
An imposing, physical key forward, Gerreyn had flashes of brilliance on the ground as well. He had a classy snap from the contest for his first goal, then a set shot in the third quarter for his second, before running into an open goal square for his third. The 199cm key forward also pinch hit in the ruck, providing good relief there, and had good moments in his follow up.
Originally published as AFL Draft 2024: All the standouts and stats from the WA v SA under-18 championships game
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