Joel Western is continuing to be noticed by the Fremantle coaching group as the 18-year-old presses to be Freo’s third debutant of 2021.

A product of Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy, Western was drafted at no.54 in the 2020 NAB AFL National Draft.

Because he travelled with the team interstate in the past fortnight, Western last played for Peel three weeks ago against West Coast, where he had 26 disposals, 10 marks and a goal.

One of his development coaches, Adam Read, said Western was pushing for selection.

“Joel’s had a really strong start to the WAFL season,” Read told Sport FM.

“Like any young player who’s been there, it’s building that week-in-week-out consistency. It’s being able to front up and do it every week.

“Joel’s shown some good signs, but like everyone he’s got some areas of his game he’s still working on and focusing on.

“If you keep performing like that, it’s hard to be ignored.

“His attitude’s been fantastic. He’s been really good and great to work with as well.”

In the 2020 draft combine, Western set the all-time record with a 2.73 second 20m sprint and Read said Western had the ability to be a game-winner with his pace.

“He’s got game-breaking pace. When we played South Freo up in Pingelly he kicked the goal of the day. He found himself in a lot of space, he took about four bounces and just burnt four guys to run into an open goal,” Read said.

“You don’t find that speed in every player. When he gets the chance, he’s got to use that weapon as best he can and showcase it."

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