IN Round 18 of the West Australian Football League (WAFL) Colts competition, East Fremantle defeated East Perth by 28 points at New Choice Homes Park.

Despite talented prospects Rhai-Arn Cox (East Perth), Trey Ruscoe (East Fremantle), and Jeremy Sharp (East Fremantle) missing, a host of other players were prominent.

Below were the best players in the game.

EAST FREMANTLE:

#10 Trent Rivers

The East Fremantle captain led from the front for the Sharks, using his big frame to win the contested possession for his team. He also showed his class on the outside, using his damaging skills to penetrate East Perth’s defensive zone. He finished with 25 possessions, six inside 50s, four marks and a goal in another powerful display.

#11 Lachlan Taylor

The Melville Junior was excellent for the Sharks, providing them with plenty of run on the wing. Playing as the team’s link-up player, Johnston accumulated 19 possessions, recorded four inside 50s, and took four marks to be named in the best for the Sharks.

#14 Finn Gorringe

The 17-year-old was exceptional in the midfield for the Sharks, never shirking a contest despite being one of the smaller midfielders on the ground. He finished with 25 possessions, five inside 50s, four tackles, two marks and a goal in a dazzling performance. He is shaping up to be an interesting prospect from East Fremantle in next year’s competition.

#16 Chad Warner

The Willetton Junior was arguably best afield, controlling the stoppages and using his strong frame to crash-and-bash his way through congestion to win clearances. He accumulated a team-high 30 possessions, laid a game-high six tackles, grabbed six marks, recorded three inside 50s and kicked a goal in a wonderful performance. Like West Coast’s Jack Redden, Warner is a midfielder who thrives on the contested side of the game and is an excellent two-way player.

#23 Luke Jackson

The former Australian basketballer continues to demonstrate why he is the best ruck prospect in this year’s AFL Draft pool. He finished with 24 possessions, 27 hit-outs, three inside 50s and a goal in a complete performance. In the ruck, he gave his midfielders first use, always followed up and positioned himself well around the ground. He also spent time as a forward, where his leading patterns and overhead marking were features of his game.

#25 Jai Jackson

The Chapman Valley product was again excellent for the Sharks rotating between the forward line and the midfield. He finished with 23 possessions, six inside 50s, five marks and a goal in a dazzling display. Jackson shares similar traits to Richmond premiership player Josh Caddy – both hit the ball at pace, use the ball effectively, never shirk a contest and can be extremely damaging forward of centre.

EAST PERTH:

#2 Adam Boules

The Mount Hawthorn Junior continued his excellent campaign with another polished performance. Against East Fremantle, Boules accumulated a game-high 31 possessions, laid a game-high six tackles and grabbed six marks to arguably be East Perth’s best player. He is shaping up to be a leading prospect from Western Australia in next year’s AFL Draft pool.

#3 Harley Sparks

The Deanmill product produced a performance that showed why he scored an invitation to this year’s AFL State Combine. Against the Sharks, Sparks finished with 22 possessions, eight marks and four tackles in a classy performance. He provided a heap of energy and zip around the contest and his decision-making was sound.

#15 Luke Lombardi

The Morley Junior continued to show why he is a lively prospect with another solid performance. Against East Fremantle, Lombardi accumulated 17 possessions, took three marks, and laid two tackles, while stationed on the half-back flank.

#19 Josh Hubbard

Playing on the wing, the 17-year-old showed a dare to always take the game on whether it be through his sheer speed or his penetrating skills. Despite East Perth being outplayed for most of the match, Hubbard never stopped competing for the Royals. The highlight of his game came in the second quarter when he nailed a goal from outside 50. He finished with 16 possessions, three tackles, three inside 50s and a goal.

#21 Jamie Marinoni

Playing in defence, the Kojonup product tried his best to repel many of East Fremantle’s attacking forays. He accumulated 14 possessions, laid six tackles and won three free kicks to be one of the Royals’ best and consistent players across the entire match.

#24 Liam Dellamarta

An overager, the Joondalup-Kinross Junior showed he has a big future for East Perth with another outstanding display. The highlight of his game came in the fourth quarter when he gathered the ball on the wing, before going for a run, taking multiple bounces and then composed himself to convert a great running goal. Against East Fremantle, the Trinity College student finished with 21 possessions, six marks, five inside 50s, two marks and a goal as a wingman.

#37 Joshua Ladhams

The 2017 WA U16s State Academy representative never stopped competing for the Royals, trying his absolute best to give his midfielders first use of the ball from the ruck contest. He accumulated 13 possessions, won nine hit-outs, grabbed seven marks, laid four tackles and won two inside 50s to be one of East Perth’s best players.