WESTERN Australia is hoping that its ability to develop a record number of WAFL league debutants from its 2026 state academy will lead to a strong draft crop this year after placing an increased focus on the contested demands of the game. 

Led by Larke medallist and Claremont star Heath Mellody, WA is forecasting up to 13 players could be drafted from the state at next month's Telstra AFL Draft and through rookie spots, in an increase from 10 in each of the past two seasons. 

Preparing this year's class for more senior WAFL football has played a role, with 13 members of the WA Academy getting exposure at league level, including likely first-round selections Mellody and inside midfielder Leo Steed. 

WA talent manager Adam Jones said that number was almost certainly a record after crunching the numbers as part of a WA Football analysis on the state's recent record of producing AFL talent. 

"It's showing that they're more prepared and ready for senior football with what we've been able to do and it's quite pleasing from that perspective," Jones told AFL.com.au. 

"This year we had 13 players from the state program play league football, and last year that was 12. But the three years prior to that we had five, six and four. 

"So the guys are just much more physically ready than they have been in the past, and no doubt that has helped them to contribute at the next level."

WA's ability to produce more WAFL league players from its state program has coincided with a renewed focus on the contested elements of the game after research showed the state was falling behind in producing AFL inside midfielders. 

Led by Jones and WA 18s coach Marc Webb, the program placed a bigger emphasis on tackling, gym work, contested football training, and the nutrition required to produce strong-bodied players at under-18 level.  

Among this year's draft prospects, Mellody, Steed and Lucas Robinson have proven themselves as inside players at WAFL level, while wingman George Gale transformed himself to be a bigger-bodied player who featured in six games for Claremont's league side. 

"We felt like we were falling behind in the contested side of the game, and Marc Webb put a big focus on that over the pre-season," Jones said. 

"We got a tackling coach in, committed more time to the gym sessions, and had a greater focus on the contested side of the game. We had a big focus on nutrition as well to support that. 

"I think those things in combination have allowed the boys to be far more prepared for playing against bigger bodies and the higher levels of football."

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As well as changing its own focus, WA Football also convinced the AFL to change anti-density laws for the state to account for its larger football ovals, removing the requirement to have two players stationed inside 50 in development pathways. 

While three players are still required in the forward half at stoppages, the change has created more contested play at WAFL colts level and helped WA with its development goals. 

"That's been a huge change that we feel has created a bit more density without having every player around the ball in one-third of the ground, so it's a good halfway model to suit us with our bigger grounds over here," Jones said. 

"The density at AFL over the last 15 to 20 years has increased and there's a lot of factors that have gone into that, so that led us to put a lot more focus on it."

Other leading WA prospects who debuted at WAFL league level this season include Claremont ruck Benji van Rooyen, West Coast NGA prospects Harper Banfield and Garrison Kenh, West Perth key forward Harvey Spawton-Guy and South Fremantle small forward Cameron Maynard. 

Promising West Perth forward Koby LeCras made his League debut early in the season but suffered a partial ACL tear in that match. 

Mellody has been the standout, playing six WAFL games with Claremont and starring against West Coast's state-league team with 34 disposals in round 20 to further establish his credentials as a top-line prospect. 

He played all four finals with Claremont, including the Tigers' losing Grand Final, with the stint at league level adding to a polished draft resume and helping build his belief. 

"The national championships and winning the Larke Medal and our MVP really shot his stocks up a fair bit, but then to be able to frank that form and effort at league level just further enhanced his chances," Jones said of Mellody.  

"A couple of his better league games would easily be up there with some of the better footy we've seen from an 18-year-old at that level, so that was quite impressive to see him do that. 

"You could see that confidence growing and growing, and I think that's going to hold him in great stead going forward. 

"He's got a lot of runs on the board at a high level, which is going to translate to AFL level."