IN the 2018 WAFL Colts’ finals series, East Fremantle thumped arch-rivals South Fremantle to the tune of 62 points at Fremantle Oval in the elimination final, while Swan Districts accounted for Peel Thunder by nine points at Claremont Oval to advance through to the grand final. Lenny Fogliani was at both games and noted down the best players.

East Fremantle vs. South Fremantle

East:

#1 Milan Murdock

The East Fremantle Power junior was at his unrelenting best against the Bulldogs with 26 possessions, 14 tackles, three marks and two inside 50s. His tenacity in the contest to win the ball for his team was first class, while his outside link-up play was brilliant.

#7 Jeremy Sharp

The 2018 U18s All-Australian showcased why he is one of the leading prospects for next year’s AFL draft with another polished performance. Sharp accumulated 24 possessions, took nine marks, recorded eight inside 50s and laid three tackles in an impressive display.

#8 Dylan Curley

The Mullewa product manufactured a performance that demonstrated why he is a highly-sought after prospect for this year’s AFL Draft. He finished with nine possessions, eight tackles, three marks and four goals to be one of the most dangerous forwards on the ground.

#9 Corey Robinson

The Aquinas student was again busy in the midfield for the Sharks with 26 possessions, five marks, two inside 50s and a goal. A real feature of Robinson’s game was his crisp disposal especially when going inside 50. More often than not, Robinson would lower his eyes and then spear the ball onto the chest of his forwards.

#24 Trey Ruscoe

The Booragoon junior was deployed as a big-bodied midfielder and it paid dividends for East Fremantle. He bustled his way to 20 possessions, five tackles and five inside 50s to be one of the most influential players on the ground. His draft stocks for 2019 are rapidly rising.

#25 Cameron Davidson

The Collie product was again superb for the Sharks with another polished display off the half-back line. With the ball in hand, Davidson was never flustered and always made excellent decisions. The combination of his combative toughness and silky skills makes him an exciting prospect. He finished with 12 possessions and five marks.

#26 Dillon O’Reilly

Without doubt the star of the show! Made the key focal point in the second half, O’Reilly finished with 19 possessions, nine marks and a bag of six goals to drag the Sharks from a 13-point deficit to victory. His contested marking as well as his exceptional goal-kicking routine makes him one of the best key position prospects in this year’s Draft.

#28 Nick Watson

The East Fremantle Captain produced a true captain’s performance to lead his team to victory. The 2016 WA U16s State Academy representative finished with 11 possessions, 29 hitouts, four marks, four tackles and a goal.

South:

#1 Jack Musika

The Cockburn junior was back to his best against the Sharks. He gathered 14 possessions, laid five tackles and grabbed three marks to be one of the better Bulldogs’ midfielders. His toughness in the contest along with his endurance and excellent skills make him a damaging midfield prospect for the 2019 AFL Draft.

#4 Luke Moore

The WA State U18s Academy representative was dynamic and explosive in the forward half for the Bulldogs. Moore’s forward craft had the Sharks defenders terrified whenever the ball went inside 50. He beat players on the lead, forced them to put their hands in his back and his finishing around goal was first class. He finished with 12 possessions, five marks and five goals.

#5 James Russell

The Secret Harbour product was dazzling on the half-back line for the Bulldogs with 26 possessions, and four marks. His composure under duress was magnificent and his foot skills were impressive.

#9 Kyle Hamersley

The Wagin product was again South Fremantle’s best player, underlying his status as one of the best midfielders in this year’s draft pool. He finished with 25 possessions, six tackles, two marks and two inside 50s as he tried to will his team back into the contest.

#10 Regan Spooner

On a tough morning for the South Fremantle defenders, Spooner stood out as he manfully tried to combat East Fremantle’s attacking forays. He collected 13 possessions and laid four tackles as he tried to inspire his fellow defenders to beat their direct opponents.

Peel Thunder vs. Swan Districts

Peel:

#1 Lachlan Riley

The South Bunbury product continued his fine season with another excellent performance. Against the Swans, Riley accumulated a team-high 30 possessions, an impressive seven inside 50s, took five marks and laid three tackles to be one of the Thunder’s best.

#7 James Sturrock

The big-bodied midfielder fought hard in the stoppages all game for the Thunder but it was to no avail. The Baldivis junior racked up 29 possessions, laid six tackles, recorded six inside 50s and took four marks to be the Thunder’s best player. His physical contested style of play should have him in the recruiters’ sights.

#9 Michael Randall

Another big-bodied midfielder who tried to gain ascendancy in the middle of the ground, Randall continually bustled his way through packs for the Thunder. He finished the game with 21 possessions and five tackles.

#11 Jarvis Pina

One of the best attacking half-back flankers in the competition, Pina tried his best to give the Thunder some drive from defence. His willingness to take the opposition on was outstanding, whether it was him using his elite skills or pace. He finished the game with 18 possessions, four marks and three inside 50s.

#32 Jason Carter

They say the big guns come out in September, and this was very evident with Carter’s game. The Fremantle Next-Generation Academy member was electrifying on the wing with 20 possessions, seven marks, six inside 50s and four tackles. His skill, speed, courage and dare to take opponents on are all outstanding traits.

Swan Districts:

#1 Joseph Hinder

The 2016 WA U16s State Academy representative was deployed in a host of positions for the Black and Whites, and he handled them with aplomb. He was originally stationed in defence and it was here that his intercept play shone, while on the wing and up forward, his attacking flair was on full display. He finished with 15 possessions, three marks and three tackles.

#3 Mitchell Bain

Arguably the best player on the ground, Bain showcased why he is one of the premier midfielders in the competition. His speed out of contests, his dazzling skills and his tenacious defensive efforts were all to be seen. A highlight of his game occurred in the fourth quarter, when he stole the ball out of congestion, burst away and then speared a ball onto the chest of team-mate Kade Wallrodt. His final stats were 31 possessions, nine inside 50s, eight tackles, and five marks.

#9 Riley Garcia

The 2017 WA U16s State Academy representative was one of the Swans’ best players after a stunning performance in the midfield. He collected 24 possessions, and took three marks as he played the link-up role to perfection. Another feature of his game was his ability to crumb marking contests, spinning out of danger and then passing the ball to a team-mate.

#12 Graydon Wilson

The Centrals Football Club product was brilliant on the half-back line for the Swans, as he gave his team a heap of drive from the defensive half. He accumulated 14 possessions, and laid six tackles to remind recruiters of his potential.

#15 Jarrod Cameron

The younger brother of Brisbane star Charlie, Jarrod was electrifying in the forward half. He gathered just nine possessions, but took seven marks, laid five tackles, recorded three inside 50s and nailed four goals to be the most damaging forward on the ground. His contested marking was a real highlight of his game.

#18 Jake Pasini

The Caversham junior is a quiet achiever on the football field, but his team-mates and coaches would be rapt with his performance. He collected 12 possessions, laid five tackles and took three marks, but more importantly kept his direct opponent (Lachlan Cullen) to just one goal.