Sons of West Coast Eagles & Fremantle Dockers greats among WA’s best second-generation stars of future

From stars in the making to those already having a crack on an AFL or WAFL list, Mitchell Woodcock looks at the most exciting WA second-generation footballers aged under 21. Harper Banfield (Claremont) The youngest son of dual West Coast premiership star Drew Banfield, Harper is an exciting talent. He made his colts debut in a powerhouse Claremont outfit last year but established himself as a player to watch in three appearances this year including 30 disposals in round three against East Perth. The teenager is playing at Scotch College now where he is tearing it up in the PSA competition for the powerhouse side but will undoubtedly be back at the Tigers later this season. Is still only 16 and has a lot of development to come before he is draft eligible. Charlie Banfield (Claremont) Charlie is firmly on the draft radar this year as a strong 191cm utility. Another Claremont product, Charlie played as a bottom-ager for the WA under-18 side in last year’s national championships where he was a wingman. This year he is being used more as a forward where he is displaying a strong hunger in the contest. Will certainly be on the radar of West Coast – where he trained over the summer – as a father-son prospect at the end of this year. Bailey Banfield (Claremont) The eldest brother, Bailey has previously trained at West Coast and is ever improving as a footballer. Still only 19, Bailey made his league debut for Claremont last year and broke back into the side recently to play four games in total. It’s tough to get a gig in Claremont’s powerhouse midfield so it’s compliment to his consistency in the reserves that he’s been able to. Bailey is still raw and a player to keep an eye on if he can get some regular league football. Noah Braun (Claremont) The son of 2006 West Coast premiership wingman Michael, Noah is playing as a bottom-ager in a strong Claremont colts outfit. And he is impressing as a smooth moving midfielder who can kick goals. A strong pre-season was rewarded when he made his debut in round two, but it was a two-goal, 21-disposal outing against Perth in round eight that would’ve caught the eye. Oliver McManus (East Fremantle) Fremantle fans might want to keep an eye out for the son of former captain Shaun McManus. Oliver trained at the Dockers in the pre-season and has put that knowledge to good use at East Fremantle so far this season. A leader in their colts side, Oliver is averaging 23 disposals from his eight games and is building nicely. Already 180cm, there is a lot to like about the neat kicking midfielder who is a spitting image of his father. Jackson McManus (East Fremantle) The elder brother of Oliver, Jackson is a 194cm ruckman who is beginning to make his way as a league footballer at the Sharks. Jackson made his debut in round three and while he has played only two games, there will likely be more opportunities after Lachlan Blakiston was picked up by Essendon in the mid-season rookie draft. The 21-year-old has gone back to the reserves and is putting in some good games as the main big man, so is one to keep a close watch of. Bryce Jakovich (East Fremantle) There are few bigger names at West Coast than Jakovich, but could there be a second? Bryce Jakovich found himself playing two pre-season games of colts football for East Fremantle – the arch-rivals of the club where his father made a name for himself in South Fremantle. The 190cm teenager has since been playing colts for Trinity Aquinas, having last year been a part of the Aquinas side in the PSA. Jaren Carr (Fremantle) A recent success story of the father-son products in WA, Jaren Carr was a mature-age draftee to Fremantle after a strong season for South Fremantle last year. The son of Matthew Carr – who played 134 games for the Dockers – Jaren is an exciting forward-wingman who has plenty of athletic attributes. Jaren is finding his feet at the WAFL league level and starting to play some consistent football. Still only 21, Jaren is developing into a well-rounded footballer at Fremantle. Taj Longmuir (South Fremantle) Taj should be knocking on the door of his uncle Justin to ask what he’s got to do to make it to the AFL. The son of Troy Longmuir – who played 55 games for Fremantle as well as 17 at Melbourne and 11 at Carlton – Taj has come a regular in South Fremantle’s colts side. He excelled against East Perth in round 10, kicking three goals from 24 disposals in an exciting performance as a big-bodied midfielder. Harley Cummings (Swan Districts) Harley is the opposite to his Coleman Medal-winning father Scott, playing as a key backman for Swan Districts. The skipper of the Swans, the 192cm defender is impressing down back as part of a side fighting for a spot in the finals. This is Harley’s third season in the colts program but he is now looking settled and don’t be surprised to see him playing league football in the next year or so. Josh Heady (West Perth) It’s been more than 26 years since dual premiership star Brett Heady stepped out for West Coast. And his son Josh is now looking to make a splash at West Perth. The teenager made his debut for the Falcons colts side this year and has played seven games as part of a good team looking to contend for the premiership. Josh looks to be growing his game every week as a product of Whitford Junior Football Club. Koby LeCras (West Perth) An exciting forward who has a strong football pedigree, Koby LeCras is a strong draft prospect for next year. The son of former North Melbourne forward Brent LeCras and nephew of West Coast premiership hero Mark LeCras, Koby is already a train-on for the under-18 team. Koby has kicked seven goals in six games including a four-goal haul against Subiaco in round three earlier this year for the Falcons. There is a chance we could see him for WA in this year’s carnival if his form continues. Jack Wooden (West Perth) The son of former 96-game West Coast midfielder Josh Wooden, Jack is bordering on regular appearances for the Falcons in the WAFL. A strong midfielder, Jack made his debut in round one and has gone back to the reserves where he has strung some good form together, averaging 23 disposals from seven games. This comes off the back of a good colts season, where he averaged 23 touches last year.