West Coast's exciting future has been recognised on the national stage, with Willem Duursma and Jobe Shanahan both finishing inside the top five of the 2026 Telstra AFL Rising Star award.
Duursma placed third in the final count with 29 votes, while Shanahan rounded out the top five with nine votes following strong campaigns in blue and gold.
Carlton midfielder Jagga Smith claimed the Ron Evans Medal with 54 votes ahead of teammate Harry Dean (39), while North Melbourne's Cooper Trembath finished fourth on 28 votes.
Duursma's third-place finish caps a standout debut season for the No. 1 draft pick, who quickly established himself as one of the competition's most promising players.
After earning a Rising Star nomination after a 20-disposal, one-goal round three performance, Duursma's consistency and impact across the season saw him earn recognition from the voting panel.
Shanahan's fifth-place finish further highlighted West Coast's elite emerging talent, with the key forward continuing his rise during an impressive second AFL season.
The 20-year-old earned a Rising Star nomination in round two after kicking two goals in the win over North Melbourne and finished the year with 29 majors after playing every game.
2026 Telstra AFL Rising Star voting
1st – Jagga Smith (Carlton): 54 votes
2nd – Harry Dean (Carlton): 39 votes
3rd – Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles): 29 votes
4th – Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne): 28 votes
5th – Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles): 9 votes
