Malakai's time to fly

The speedy small forward will get his wings against the Giants on Friday night

Livewire small forward Malakai Champion will become West Coast’s eighth debutant for 2025 in Friday night’s clash against Greater Western Sydney at Optus Stadium.

A highly skilled and dynamic goalsneak, Champion plays with zest and energy that will add spark to West Coast’s forward line.

The 19-year-old has kicked seven goals in 11 WAFL Eagles games this year and brought defensive pressure, highlighted by an 11-tackle game against Peel recently.

Adding to the occasion, Champion – a Naitanui (Next Generation) Academy product – receives his opportunity in a home clash when the Eagles will celebrate NAIDOC Week and wear their 2025 First Nations guernsey.

And, fittingly, in a week when Dom Sheed - a Kalgoorlie kid from Mines Rovers - hung up his boots, another will take his first step into the big time.

Champion, who played senior football for Subiaco during his draft year, joins fellow 2025 debutants Archer Reid, Sandy Brock, Hamish Davis, Tom Gross, Bo Allan, Tom McCarthy and Jobe Shanahan.

He is also the fifth member of last year’s draft intake to debut, a week after Shanahan’s impressive first outing against Collingwood.

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