EAST Perth defeated Swan Districts by 24 points in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) Colts Elimination Final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. The Royals will now face West Perth in the first semi-final next week, while it is season over for the Swans.

Below were the most notable players in the game.

EAST PERTH:

#2 Adam Boules

The Mount Hawthorn junior continued his excellent season for the Royals with another accomplished performance. Against the Swans, Boules collected a game-high 28 possessions, laid eight tackles and recorded an equal game-high five inside 50s to be one of the best players on the ground. A strong finals series could see him rise onto the draft board for next year.

#8 Cooper Sparks

The Deanmill product was his usual busy self in the midfield for the Royals. He accumulated 19 possessions, laid a team-high 12 tackles, recorded two inside 50s and took two marks. His desire to never shirk a contest laid the foundations for the Royals to run over the top of the Swans.

#9 Sebit Kuek

The West Coast Eagles’ Next-Generation Academy member was lively for the Royals, rotating between the forward line and the ruck. He finished with 13 possessions, 16 hit-outs, eight marks, five tackles, three inside 50s and a goal. The highlight of his game came late in the second quarter, when he took a strong pack mark just before the siren went. He then went back and coolly slotted the goal from a tight angle after the siren to give the Royals a 25-point lead at the main break.

#12 Kade Dittmar

The 16-year-old was his brutal self in the midfield for East Perth, often crashing and bashing his way through congestion to win the contested possession for his team. He finished with 17 possessions, 10 tackles, three marks and two inside 50s. He is shaping up to be a leading WA prospect for the 2021 AFL Draft.

#15 Luke Lombardi

Another 16-year-old, Lombardi showed plenty of class and composure off the half-back line for East Perth. He gathered 19 possessions, laid six tackles and grabbed four marks in an impressive display.

#21 Jamie Marinoni

Playing as a small defender, the Kojonup product was excellent for the Royals. He gathered 14 possessions, and took two marks, but more importantly he helped set up his fellow defenders to make sure the Swans were not as potent with their inside 50 entries as they have been all year.

#24 Liam Dellamarta

The Morley junior continues to stake a claim to be a solid outside midfield option in next year’s AFL Draft. Against Swan Districts, Dellamarta was prolific off the wing, accumulating 26 possessions, recording four inside 50s, laying four tackles and taking three marks. He was always willing to take the game on with his skill execution or through his pace.

#37 Joshua Ladhams

The Lower South-West product was arguably the best ruck in the game, often giving his midfielders first use from his ruck work. He finished with 15 possessions, 33 hitouts and five marks in an excellent performance. What was even more impressive about Ladhams’ game was his desire to push back into defence to outnumber the Swan Districts’ forward line.

SWAN DISTRICTS:

#1 Kade Wallrodt

The South Bunbury junior tried his absolute heart out for the Swans, but unfortunately to no avail. Against East Perth he accumulated 23 possessions, recorded five inside 50s, laid four tackles, grabbed two marks and kicked a goal to be one of his team’s best performers.

#7 Ben Taylor

The younger brother of GWS’ rising star Sam Taylor, Ben was solid down in defence for the Swans, often halting the attacking entries by the Royals. Taylor gathered 15 possessions, laid three tackles and took two marks in a trying performance.

#12 Brenton Hilton

The Ellenbrook junior was excellent off the half-back line for the Swans, providing plenty of attacking drive from the defensive half. He finished with 21 possessions, five marks and five tackles in a brilliant performance.

#16 Max Chipper

The 2019 WA U16s State Academy member was excellent off the wing for the Swans. He accumulated 23 possessions, laid four tackles and recorded three inside 50s in an accomplished performance. His skill execution, reading of the play, and aerobic capabilities are all very good for someone his age.

#18 Jake Pasini

The 2019 WA U18s State Academy member showed why he is deserving to be recognised as one of the better key defensive options in this year’s crop. Against the Royals, Pasini finished with 17 possessions, four marks, two tackles and two rebounding 50s. With ball in hand, Pasini was always cool and composed even under heavy duress and without the ball he always attacked each contest with vigour.

#24 Sebastian Bright

The High Wycombe junior was his usual combative self in the midfield for Swan Districts. He accumulated a team-high 25 possessions, laid a game-high 13 tackles, recorded an equal game-high five inside 50s and took three marks to arguably be his team’s best player.

#31 Ethan Nordahl

The South Bunbury junior tried hard for Swan Districts. He finished with 18 possessions, six tackles, four marks and a goal in a combative display. The highlight of his game came in the last quarter, when he was able to shrug off an opponent before banging through a goal from 50 metres out.

#52 Atem Deng

The West Coast Eagles’ Next-Generation Academy member was lively in the forward line for the Swans. In the first quarter, he was able to nudge his opponent under the ball, gathered it, burst away from his opponent and then laced out Ayden Cartwright inside 50. In the last quarter, he took a courageous mark when he went back with the flight of the ball despite on-coming traffic. He finished with 15 possessions and four marks.

#59 Ty Sears

A bottom-age prospect, Sears showed he has potential to be a bolting prospect for next year’s AFL Draft with a classy performance. Playing off the half-back line, Sears gathered 12 possessions and recorded three inside 50s, trying to provide attacking drive from the defensive half.