With the AFL season fast approaching, we look at the West Aussies in the mix to debut early in 2026.
Peel Thunder product Mitch Edwards is closing in on a long-awaited AFL debut at Geelong, who will be without fellow rucks Rhys Stanley and Toby Conway for Friday night’s opening-round clash against Gold Coast at People First Stadium.
The 205cm ruck, drafted with pick 32 in the 2023 AFL National Draft, has been forced to bide his time in the VFL since arriving from the Thunder.
“We are holding Rhys Stanley back a little bit, so I can say that he won’t play,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said on Monday.
“I have really liked (Edwards’ summer).
“It feels like, especially for the people that watch us a little closer, it has been a long time coming for Mitch.”
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Another former Peel talent, defender Michael Sellwood, could be seen on Opening Round on the back of an eye-catching pre-season with the Western Bulldogs.
The 2025 Mid-Season Rookie Draft addition didn’t get a taste of AFL action last year after an injury-interrupted start to his time at the Bulldogs.
Sellwood had 13 possessions, five tackles and three rebounds 50s to help the Dogs to a confidence-boosting with over Hawthorn in Ballarat.
The Bulldogs start their season against reigning champs Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday evening.
Son of a gun Charlie Banfield has done his chances of a debut at St Kilda no harm after a strong first pre-season at the club.
The Claremont export, who was picked up by the Saints after West Coast decided not to match their bid in last year’s national draft, featured in both of his new side’s pre-season matches.
Banfield backed up his 11-disposal, five-mark performance with a goal in Saturday’s win over Essendon.
Charlie Banfield celebrates a goal with Jack Higgins during St Kilda’s 2026 AFL AAMI Community Series win over Essendon in Ballarat. Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos
Former West Perth ball magnet Sam Swadling had a strong finish to Collingwood’s tight one-point loss to North Melbourne on Sunday.
Swadling racked up nine disposals in the final term for the undermanned Magpies to press his claims for an early debut.
St Kilda and Collingwood clash at the MCG on Sunday.
Hurting Swadling’s chances is the return of several experienced midfielders who were managed throughout the pre-season.
Swadling’s former Falcons and State 18s teammate and WA’s top draft pick from last year, Jacob Farrow, is one of the State’s best hopes of an early-season debut after an impressive summer at Essendon.
The classy former West Perth half-back, a top-10 pick in the draft last year, was one of the bright spots in the Bombers’ AAMI Community Series loss to St Kilda in Ballarat on Sunday.
The Bombers won’t feature in the Opening Round, with their first game of 2026 against Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday, March 13.