THE WEST Australian State 18s stars were out of action in Round 8 of the 2022 WAFL Colts season, meaning plenty of players were out to prove themselves in their absence. South Fremantle and Peel Thunder each notched wins over the weekend; we noted some of the top performers from those games before taking a look around the grounds and up the grades.

By: Charlie McCormack

EAST PERTH:

#11 Will Cassidy

The 17-year old slotted back into the Royals lineup seamlessly after playing his first game since Round 2 due to school football commitments with Wesley, finishing with 28 disposals, seven marks and seven tackles. The South-West product had a nicely balanced game, used his body well around stoppage and also reading the game smartly to often find himself on the end of a 45-degree pass.

#27 Mitch Williams

In what were extremely difficult conditions for forwards, Williams looked the most dangerous front-half player on the ground, finishing with three goals from 14 touches and six marks. The underage talent worked hard to get to a lot of contests and competed well in the air but also showed adept skills at ground level, smarty roving a pack to kick his first major. He also showed what a penetrating kick he has, launching a massive set shot through for a goal from 55m with a waterlogged footy.

#28 Darcy Miller

The 18 year-old played a superb game roaming across the half-back line, as time and time again he stood up in the contest and repelled a South Fremantle forward entries. He showed terrific courage in the air, hauling down several contested intercept marks and displayed good speed and ball use as he turned defence into attack for the Royals on countless occasions. Finished with 30 disposals and 12 marks to be arguably the best player on the ground despite his sides’ loss.

SOUTH FREMANTLE:

#5 Jermaine Pickett

In a game that could only be described as scrappy, Pickett’s class and ability to make something happen was one of the key reasons as to why South Fremantle secured victory in the end. The over-ager had a massive last quarter when the game was on the line, taking a fine contested mark to set up one major before producing a series of terrific efforts that culminated in his second goal which just about sealed the result. He finished with fourteen disposals and two goals.

#7 Christian Wilson

The 17 year-old was one of the unluckier players to miss selection in the WA State 18s Squad and he showed why at Leederville Oval, continuing his strong form to rack up 25 disposals and seven tackles. The Willetton product showed excellent composure with ball in hand and had a touch of class which set him aside from others on what was a very slippery day. He capped of his day with a wonderful running goal from a centre break in the final term.

#33 Roan O’Hehir:

The Fremantle City product relished the contested nature of the game, getting his hands dirty to lay 11 tackles to go with his 21 disposals. The 18 year-old isn’t the biggest body around the contest but he showed a good physical presence for his size and also displayed excellent kicking skills, using the ball nicely and showing proficiency on both feet against the Royals.

By: Hayden Narducci

SWAN DISTRICTS:

#8 Jack Saunders

With leading midfielder Darcy Jones out for State trials, there was an opening for someone to take charge in the Swans’ midfield and bottom-ager Saunders did just that. New to the side, Saunders went a long way to endearing himself to his teammates, finishing as one of their leading clearance getters in the centre, and backing up his efforts time and time again. He ran the second half in a wet weather game, starting the fourth quarter with an early clearance straight out the centre, one of many for the day. His agility around the contest made him tough to get a hold of, and he finished with 21 disposals and four inside 50s as one of the big creative sparks for his side.

#18 Angus Laurisson

It should come as no surprise at this point that Laurisson was one of the best afield, continuing his sensational Colts campaign with a season best performance. His backline was under immense pressure early in the game as the Thunder continued to pile on attack after attack, but Laurisson remained the ever calm general in defence to keep the ball away from his man, and rebound with the utmost composure. He took four marks in the first quarter alone, before the rain came and made marking a mission. This did little to stop his relentless effort as he then piled on the tackles and continued to intercept opposition entries. He may be upset with his efforts up forward in the last quarter as he had two very difficult opportunities to give his side the lead, though it should take away nothing from his performance as he finished with 21 disposals, five marks and seven tackles off half-back.

#28 Tom Smith

Unlucky not to be selected in the state side taking on Claremont in their warm up game, Smith made a statement to selectors in this game. His first quarter was one of the best you could see from a ruckman, splitting his time between ruck and key forward almost 50-50, which continued throughout the game. He finished with eight disposals and two goals in his first quarter, kicking his side’s only two goals. His contribution may have quietened by the numbers as the game got wetter, but he continued to be a threat in the air and on the ground, showing relentless effort crumbing ground balls to hand off to teammates. His ability to bring a ball to ground from the marking contest and follow up to crumb it himself is a feature of his game. He did well to prove himself as a forward/ruck option come the first official state game, rarely losing a hit out and dominating up forward.

PEEL THUNDER:

#7 Byron Finch

One of the more easily recognisable players on the field, with his bleach blonde hair and long sleeves, Finch can easily garner a lot of comparisons to Collingwood’s Jack Ginnivan. Though his presence up forward does show a lot of similarities, Finch proved in this game that his talents are well used all across the ground. Finch spent the majority of his time in the engine room this game, setting up countless opportunities for his side from the clearance in the centre, or by weaving through defenders on the forward 50. His pressure was relentless, and though at times he may have bit off more than he could chew, his desire to take the game on led to far more positives than negatives. His game was highlighted by a checkside from the boundary to give his side the lead in the fourth quarter. Finishing with 18 disposals, eight tackles, six inside 50s and a goal, Finch did well to prove he was more than just a flashy haircut in long sleeves, playing an integral role in his sides victory.

#13 Joel Rush

Rush continued his hot start to the season in this game, dominating the first half and being one of the primary sources of scoring involvements for his side. Playing well through the centre of the ground and along the flanks, Rush enjoyed a dominant first half, finishing with 15 disposals and a lovely goal as the game was tightly contested. One of his shining moments from the game came in the last quarter, as there was just a kick in it, the pressure from the Swans was immense out on the wing, but Rush showed great composure to pick up a wet footy in one go, swiftly evade two Swans defenders and release an inside 50 entry to create an opportunity for his side to extend their lead. Rush finished the game with 23 disposals, one goal and led the game for inside 50s (eight) and frees for (five) in a sensational performance.

#32 Michael Sellwood

Starting up forward, Sellwood experienced a very quiet first half, only managing the five disposals. Despite this he had a goal he’d be quite proud of in the second quarter, stiff arming an opponent in the pocket and snapping around his body. The second half saw a move down back which paid dividends for both Sellwood and his team. When the ball went to ground in defensive 50, Sellwood was consistently one of the first to it, and when he wasn’t he would consistently time his run along the outside of the pack to receive the hands and rebound to a teammate. He managed to finish the game with 20 disposals, and the composure he showed in the backline time and time again allowed him to kick to the best option and launch plenty of Peel counter attacks.

AROUND THE GROUNDS & UP THE GRADES

By: Charlie McCormack

With the State 18s squad members playing in a trial match against the Claremont Reserves over the weekend, it was a good opportunity for some other players to put their names into contention.

Subiaco worked hard to overcome Perth at Mineral Resources Park, getting the job done by 11 points. Ryan Newick (26 disposals) and Rory Murison (24) found plenty of the ball for the Lions while under-age prospect Luker Kentfield was excellent up forward, booting three goals from 16 disposals. Oliver Zolnier-Owens was the leading ball-winner for the Demons with 23 disposals, while Aiden O’Driscoll, brother of Fremantle wingman Nathan, was among the best.

At the WACA, West Perth solidified their spot on top of the ladder with a 13-point victory over East Fremantle. Jack De Marte was dangerous up forward, kicking four goals from 12 possessions while Harry Cabalzar (20 disposals and six tackles) was busy. For the Sharks, Jayke Scott was injected into the ruck and had an impact, notching up 26 disposals and 22 hit outs while Phoenix Knight was important with 22 touches.

Up the grades, state squad members Jedd Busslinger and Reuben Ginbey both missed the trial game due to league football commitments with East Perth. Busslinger managed five touches while Ginbey, who returned straight back into the Royals’ senior side after playing the last six weeks for Wesley at PSA level, held his own to gather nine touches and lay five tackles.