WAFL 2024: AFL draft prospects Hamish Davis and Malakai Champion to make league debut for Claremont, Subiaco

West Australian draft prospects Malakai Champion and Hamish Davis will make their WAFL league debuts as the race for finals heats up. Champion and Davis have been named for Subiaco and Claremont respectively, joining state captain Bo Allan (Peel Thunder) in the top state competition just months out from the national draft. A West Coast Next Generation Academy product, Champion has been named in the forward pocket for the Lions in their clash against West Coast at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday. The exciting small forward is one of four inclusions alongside experienced Angus Dewar who will play his first game since injuring his elbow in round eight. Subiaco have lost plenty of firepower though with two-time Bernie Naylor medallist Ben Sokol out for personal reasons, while Jack Mayo is rested. Jordan Snadden has a calf injury while Keeshawn Cook is omitted, with Jordan Faraone and Patrick Mullane joining Champion and Dewar as inclusions. The Eagles have made several changes with experienced ruckman Matt Flynn coming in after injuring his ankle last month, while Andrew Gaff, Campbell Chesser and Jamaine Jones are also named into the team. Davis comes in for the Tigers as they look to keep in touch with the top five when they host ladder-leaders East Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium. The 190cm forward is coming off 40 disposals and a goal in the colts to earn selection, replacing Mitch Barron. East Perth have been boosted by the return of key defender Corey Watts (knee) and Shayne Hille (groin) from injury, with Taylor North and Jonah Brooks making way. South Fremantle’s hopes of ending Swan Districts’ seven-game winning streak with utility Zac Strom back after missing the win over the Lions with back soreness. The Swans have been boosted by the return of William Reidy from concussion for their clash at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, while Max Chipper comes in with Ayden Cartwright and Luke Kelly dropped. Peel Thunder have made a whopping seven changes for their clash against Perth at Mineral Resources Park. Fremantle listed players Will Brodie, Patrick Voss, Liam Reidy and Sebit Kuek all come into the team alongside Luen Colton, Taj Wyburd and Jacob Hewitt. Thunder skipper Ben Hancock will miss a week with a calf injury, while Jack Sears is sidelined until the final round of the home-and-away season because of a knee concern. They’ve lost Tom Emmett and Brandon Walker from the team before the bye, while Max Knobel, Aidan Hare and Corey Tregenza are omitted.