IN tough conditions throughout the round eight action, the cream rose to the top in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) Colts competition as Perth and Swan Districts both claimed wins to jump a game clear atop the ladder. 

Perth has reinforced their status as the team to beat in the Western Australia Football League (WAFL) Colts competition with a 6.9 (45) to 5.9 (39) win against a brave Subiaco side at Lathlain Oval. In what was a wet round eight of WAFL action, the Demons, led by Brodie Grey (12 disposals, four tackles), kicked three unanswered final quarter goals to pinch the victory. Bailey Smith was fantastic with three goals, while Ryan Malley (11 disposals, four tackles) and Connor Sing (nine disposals, 11 hitouts) were named in the Demons’ best. For Subiaco, Abraham Clinch (12 disposals, five inside 50s and two goals) was named as the best player, while Liam Hickmott (38 disposals), Benjamin Golding (21 disposals) and Jake Mckinnon (15 disposals and 12 tackles) were all named as standout players.  

Peel Thunder moved into the top four after an impressive 20-point victory over East Fremantle, with the Mandurah side running out 8.11 (59) to 5.9 (39) winners at Shark Park. A team-best display by Tyrone Thorne (16 disposals, eight tackles) saw the Thunder, like Perth, put on three unanswered goals in the final quarter to run away with the result. James Sturrock (25 disposals, four tackles), Jake Howes (21 disposals, eight tackles) and Jack Sears (18 disposals, six marks) were all named in the best for the Thunder after impressive displays. For the Sharks, ruckman Nicholas Watson was named best after 24 hit outs and six marks, while Jake Diggle (18 disposals) and Nicholas Patat (22 disposals) rounded out the best players.  

South Fremantle continued Claremont’s miserly season after a comfortable 8.6 (54) to 3.11 (29) win at Fremantle Oval. For the Bulldogs, Toby McQuilkan was superb with 21 disposals and a goal, as the Souths were never threatened by an inaccurate Tigers outfit. Thomas Weston (11 disposals, seven marks, 10 hit outs), Matthew Ward (19 disposals, five tackles) and Luke Moore (21 disposals, six marks) were named in the best for the Bulldogs. For Claremont, Nicholas Crump was named best afield, while contributions from small forward Jaimie Forsyth (five disposals, three tackles) and Callum Jamieson (nine disposals, three hit outs) drew the praise of coaches.

In the final game of the round, Swan Districts pushed itself into second on the ladder, only by percentage, and consigned East Perth to bottom spot with a 11.5 (71) to 6.4 (40) win at Leederville Oval. The Royals did not manage to build on their 6.4 half time score line, as the Swans piled on eight unanswered goals in the second half. For the Black and Whites, Kade Waldrot was a star with four goals, while Jarred Cameron (25 disposals, seven marks), Joel Curtis (24 disposals, one goal) and Nathan Ireland (12 disposals, 18 hit outs) were named in the best. For the Royals, Jacob Msando was named best with 13 dispsoals, while Jordan Hayden (11 disposals, three marks) and Ashley Wilcocks (10 disposals, four marks) tried hard all day.