Malakai Champion

DOB: 17/5/2006

Height: 172cm

Position: Small forward

Recruited from: Subiaco, Mines Rovers

A small forward with dazzling speed and agility who plays with zest and energy and is a real livewire inside forward 50. Kicked 22 goals in 18 matches across club and representative football this year, including three goals for Western Australia against Victoria Metro in the National Championships and three goals on senior debut for Subiaco against the WAFL Eagles.

Is part of West Coast’s Next Generation (Naitanui) Academy, and the Eagles had priority access to the small forward in the Draft. Was outstanding during testing at the Draft Combine, ranking fifth on the 20m sprint (2.94 seconds) and second on the agility test (7.84 seconds). Fellow Naitanui Academy graduate Tyrell Dewar, premiership forward Liam Ryan and another Subiaco product, Tyler Brockman, have helped make Champion feel at home at Mineral Resources Park in recent times.