THERE was only three games in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) Colts competition this week, but there was certainly no lack of storylines.

WAFL Colts wrap: Round 15

East Fremantle 10.9 (69) defeated Peel 8.9 (57)

A rejuvenated East Fremantle caused one of the upsets of the WAFL Colts season by defeating the red hot Peel Thunder by 12 points at New Choice Homes Park on Saturday morning.

The Sharks came into this game full of confidence having knocked off Swan Districts to end a nine-game losing streak, but it was the ladder leaders who started the contest in ominous fashion kicking the first three goals of the game to take an 18-point lead into the first break.

Bottom ager Isiah Winder kicked his second goal early in the second term to extend the lead, but Dylan Curley quickly responded for the Sharks. Jonathan Ietto pushed the lead back out to four goals, but from that moment it was all East Fremantle. The home side kicked four straight goals to narrow the gap to a single point at the long break.

It was an outstanding quarter by the Sharks which belied their lowly position on the ladder who outscoring their in-form opponents 5.2 to 2.3. The Sharks had more of the ball in the first half (153-124) with Luke Jackson giving his midfielders terrific service with 17 hit-outs for the first half. Trent Rivers was prominent with 14 disposals and four inside 50s while Jackson Knight led the way for Peel with 13 disposals and seven tackles.

In what had turned in a fascinating encounter, both teams split four goals in the early stages of the third term. It remained tight and tough for the remainder of the term and the Thunder took the slimmest of margins into the three quarter time break. Peel had a 2-0 record with games decided by under a kick in 2019 while the Sharks were 1-3.

East Fremantle took their first lead for the game courtesy of bottom ager Finn Gorringe. It was a huge mental barrier to climb over for the Sharks and now it was down to the Thunder to respond and see whether they can reproduce their form from the first term. However, the Sharks were not in the mood to let their southern rivals back into the contest. Ruck/forward Reuben McGuire and Alec Evensen pushed the lead to 19 points. Peel managed to hit back with 12 minutes remaining courtesy of of bottom ager Roy George. The ladder leaders were now pressing hard but the lowly ranked Sharks were adeptly keeping the premiership favourites at bay.

Three goals to one in the final quarter was able to see the Sharks over the line and seal their second consecutive win. It is the second time they have managed to win back to back games this season with the first time occurring way back in the first two rounds of the season. Conversely, it was only Peel’s second defeat of the season and their first since the middle of May. But with West Perth also tasting defeat this round, they keep their buffer of two and a half games.

The Sharks were well worth their victory when you take the overall statistics into account. The home team had 58 more disposals (297-239) and 29 more hitouts (53-24), and while East Fremantle had four less inside 50s (37-33), they were more efficient with two more scoring shots on the day (19-17).

Although the Sharks wont play finals this season they can certainly play a spoiling role in the weeks ahead. You also wouldn’t be surprised to see some of these youngsters taste senior action before the season is out. Jackson will be one of those in line for selection as the ruck/forward hasn’t missed a beat since returning from the U18s carnival. Jackson not only controlled the ruck duties with 41 hit/outs, he also had 22 disposals and two marks. Likewise, Rivers was prominent with 25 disposals, seven tackles, six marks and five inside 50s and Chad Warner was composed throughout with 26 disposals and eight tackles. The Thunder while beaten will have appreciated the stern tests they have been given in the last few weeks. Jackson Knight produced an all-round terrific display with 25 disposals, 12 tackles, eight inside 50s and seven marks.

East Perth 8.7 (55) defeated West Perth 5.10 (40)

East Perth proved once again that they are one of the dark horses in the Premiership race after defeating West Perth by 15 points at Joondalup Arena on Saturday morning.

This clash saw the old rivals in prime form. West Perth had won four in a row while the Royals had won four of their past five with their only defeat coming in a one-point thriller against Peel Thunder last week. The Royals took a slender five point margin into to the first break. The second term was lacking in terms of goalscoring action, but that suited East Perth nicely. The visitors kicked the only two majors to extend their lead to 15 points.

Both teams had seven scoring shots and West Perth had three more inside 50s (17-14) but it was clearly evident that East Perth had made the most of their opportunities. The Royals looked to put the game out the Falcons reach early in the third team by kicking two quick goals to Luke Furlong and Cody Rodgers. The ever present Koopah Todd kicked two goals for the Falcons in the term, but the Royals still won the quarter and took a 22-point lead into the final 25 minutes of action.

To the Falcons’ credit they kept at the job at hand, chipping away inch by inch but sometimes it is not your day and the Royals were able to keep them at arms-length throughout claiming their fifth win from six starts. There was not one dominant quarter by the Royals but more so a steady build leading to a consistent performance. In some ways, West Perth will look at their wastefulness in front of goal (5.10) and overuse of the football as some reasons behind the defeat. East Perth had 44 less disposals (273-229) and four less inside 50s (36-32) yet still managed the same amount of scoring shots and walked away with the four points. But With the quality of the two teams you would expect they will meet in September.

It was an even spread of contributors for the victors with Harley Sparks prominent with 28 disposals, eight inside 50s and six marks. Joshua Ladhams has regularly had a major impact with his ruck work this season and so it proved again with 24 hit/outs which he combined with 17 disposals and eight marks. While the tenacious in and under work of Adam Boules was there for all to see again as the bottom ager added another eight tackles to his tally for the season. Boules leads the category with 91 for the season at a outstanding average of seven per game.

Meanwhile for the Falcons, Tyron Hindmarsh racked up big numbers again with 31 disposals and four tackles. The midfielder is averaging 28.50 disposals a game. WA U18s representative Jaxon Prior also got his fair share of the ball the running half back compiling 32 disposals, four tackles, four inside 50s and a goal.

Claremont 10.9 (69) defeated Perth 0.4 (4)

Continuing the WAFL’s plan to take Colts footy to the regions, Claremont and Perth played their fixture in Albany on Saturday evening. It was a game that Claremont will remember while the Demons would soon forget as the Tigers produced a superb exhibition of wet weather football by claiming victory to the tune of 65 points. The victory sees the Tigers rise with a bullet up to second place and certainly a clear premiership threat. Meanwhile, the Demons produced the lowest score of the season and are basically out of all finals contention. A staggering statistic to take into account in regards to Claremont’s four game winning streak is that they have conceded on average just 25 points in those wins. That is what you call a supreme defensive effort and something to keep an eye on as we approach the final month of the regular season.