Black Swans give young stars chance to shine

Katanning footballer Kade Stewart continues to take big steps in his young football career after an impressive performance for WA in their most recent NAB AFL Under-18 Championship fixture.

Stewart is a bottom-age player in the 2014 championships but has starred in the past fortnight for the Black Swans.

The 17-year-old kicked a goal and was named in the best players for WA in their narrow five-point loss to South Australia at Medibank Stadium last Saturday.

WA led at three-quarter time but could not hold on against SA in round 3 of the division one competition, eventually going down 10.11 (71) to 9.12 (66).

WAFL talent academy manager Raff Guadagnino said Stewart had really shone in the past two games.

"He's been very good for us, we are really pleased with him," Guadagnino said.

"He has probably been in our top five in the last two weeks.

"His contested ball-winning is second to none in the under-18s."

Stewart has played six colts games for his WAFL club South Fremantle this season, where he averages 17.5 possessions a game.

Tambellup product Harry Taylor, younger brother of Claremont footballers Tom and Ben, has also represented WA in the event.

Taylor played in last weekend's loss and joined Stewart in the side that the previous Saturday was thrashed by Vic Metro by 87 points at Medibank Stadium.

The 17-year-old has played five colts games for Claremont this season and averages more than 21 touches per game.

WA have lost their opening three games of the championships and will face Vic Country in round 4 at Fremantle Oval on Sunday morning.