TYLER Keitel headlines a crop of young Western Australians who are in line for selection at Wednesday's NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

 

With mature-age players Blaine Boekhorst (Carlton) and Mitch McGovern (Adelaide Crows) taken in the AFL Draft last week it is more than likely the WA candidates for rookie deals will come from the under-18 system.

 

Keitel was widely tipped to be drafted last week but remains a strong candidate for a rookie opportunity. The 194cm key position player is capable of playing at both ends.

 

Francis Watson is another natural talent who will be in the mix. He is an agile defender who can provide plenty of rebound run and his raw potential would fit perfectly on a rookie list.

 

Midfielder Bradley Walsh was described as one of the most well rounded footballers to come through the WA under-18 system. The inside midfielder has got senior experience playing seven WAFL matches with Peel Thunder last season and trained with Fremantle during the 2014 pre-season as part of the AIS-AFL academy program.

 

Jared Hardisty is another hard-nosed midfielder who won a lot of football at under-age level last season and is highly regarded.

 

Darcy Cameron and Cameron Loersch are two young 200-plus cm ruckmen with plenty of upside. Cameron played 10 senior WAFL matches for Claremont in 2014 while Loersch kicked 57 goals in the WAFL Colts competition for South Fremantle.

 

Of the mature-age WAFL regulars, Brenden Abbott, Ricky Cary and Haiden Schloithe have all proven their capabilities with Schloithe having already spent two seasons on Fremantle's rookie list.

 

Sandover Medallist Aaron Black and his West Perth teammate Shane Nelson, two-time best and fairest winner with the Falcons, do not appear to have attracted much interest from AFL recruiters.