Up the Grades: WA prospects experience derby day

A COUPLE of West Australian draft prospects got a taste for derby day in the WAFL, as they took part in the league’s WA Day clashes on Monday. Steely Green and his South Fremantle Bulldogs came out on top over their Eastern rivals, while Jedd Busslinger‘s East Perth went down to the West.

Green, a bolter who has gained significant senior experience this year, gathered 13 disposals and kicked a goal in his side’s two-point win. Meanwhile, Busslinger managed nine touches and three marks from defence in a 14-point loss. Both players are set to be key figures in their state’s upcoming Under 18 championship campaign.

Over in South Australia, the son of a SANFL gun made his League debut on Saturday. Max Michalanney was presented his maiden Norwood jumper by father, Jim, a 211-game Redlegs champion. The young defender notched four touches and laid three tackles in an 11-point loss to North Adelaide, meaning he is still yet to play in a winning side this season.

There was a rare double-up from South Adelaide’s Koby Cockshell this past weekend, as he turned out for the Panthers’ Under 18s on Saturday before backing up for the Reserves on Sunday. In his debut at the level, Cockshell registered six disposals. Central Districts’ Finn Reed also played Reserves footy, kicking 1.2 from as many disposals in a thumping loss to Sturt.

Many of South Australia’s top prospects were tied up in representative commitments, as the Croweaters took on NSW-ACT. It also meant a few Rams team members were not seen in the VFL, but it was all worth it as the underdogs stormed away with a four-goal win.

Missing from that match was Sydney Academy member Jordan Endemann, who instead got more minutes with the Swans reserves under his belt. A heap of Gold Coast Academy products continued their state league exposure too, with six running out in the Suns’ 20-point win over Collingwood.

Namely, they were Finn Brown, Marlin Corbett, Cody Harrington, Brinn Little, Jye Lockett, and Riley Stone. Elsewhere, Charlie Molan more than doubled his disposal output from last week with 12 touches as Williamstown went down to rival, Port Melbourne. Michael Ktona also played his part, possessing the ball six times.

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