LADDER leader West Perth continued its winning ways, while Swan Districts also picked up points as the WAFL Colts returned to usual programming in Round 18. With just two home-and-away weekends left to play, the race to finals is heating up. We highlighted some of the top performers from the Falcons’ and Swans’ wins, before taking a look around the grounds.

By: Hayden Narducci

EAST FREMANTLE:

#6 Jack Johnston

This little pocket rocket was everywhere in this game. Impacting across each third of the ground, Johnston’s tireless and relentless gut running and one percenters continued to put him in the best position to affect the contest. He didn’t let his sleight frame affect his impact, as he accrued 20 disposals and seven tackles. His decision making under pressure resembles that of a seasoned veteran, even in the dying minutes with just a kick in the game, he managed to stay calm and composed to find the best option.

#9 Luke Yeo

In one of his quieter games with the ball in hand, Yeo was impressive to still find ways to impact the game with his tackling pressure. Currently averaging seven tackles a game in the Colts competition, Yeo’s 10 in this match was a game-high. He copped a lot of big hits from the opposition, yet continued to get back up and lead by example with his efforts. When he did get the ball, his 15 disposals were put to good use in finding a teammate and setting up great opportunities with his hard-nosed contested style.

#16 Kaleb Smith

Fresh off a State Combine invite, you’d be forgiven for not knowing much about Smith if you don’t keep up with the PSA competition. The Wesley student strutted his stuff across the ground in this game, but primarily off of half-back. His defending in this game was good but not amazing, but his offensive abilities rebounding is what wins him praise. He always looks for the most dangerous kicking option, and uses it beautifully by boot, but his most dangerous weapon is his speed. This was highlighted late in the game as he got on an amazing run, taking the ball from the wing through the centre of the guts running at 110 per cent, taking three bounces, passing two opposition players and opening up a teammate with a handball to slot one home. A true smokey in this year’s draft, with 23 disposals in this game, many clubs will be keeping a close eye on his final few outings with the Sharks this season.

SWAN DISTRICTS:

#3 Joshua Middleton

The over-age half-forward had his best game for the season in this affair. With 17 disposals, seven inside 50s, nine tackles and a goal, the Swans always looked a half chance of getting a goal opportunity when the ball was around Middleton. His ability to find the footy in the contest was unparalleled on the forward 50 arc, and even when he didn’t get the mark, he would always follow up with intensity to make sure he or his teammates got a chance to get the ball forward.

#8 Jack Saunders

This bottom-age inside mid has been a revelation for the Swans since coming in halfway through the season. Continuing on from his good form with another 19 disposals, in this game, Saunder’s ability to find and clear the ball in the centre is a joy to watch. Though his kicking isn’t the most consistent, he has become a true leader for this Swans side on the field with the way he attacks the footy. His composure under pressure is a joy to watch for such a young player. His game was highlighted by a last quarter effort in which he cleanly picked up the ball in the centre, kept his composure sprinting through traffic and laced out a beautifully measured kick to the leading Taylor from full forward.

#21 Luke Taylor

Fresh off a 13-month layoff with an ACL tear, Taylor looked like he hadn’t missed a beat in this game. The over-age key forward, and younger brother of GWS’ Sam Taylor, constantly looked threatening when given space to lead. His contested marking was shown off early in this game, as he stood tall and strong to take a clean grab in the goal square in the middle of a big pack. His three goals in this game felt like just a taste of what he could be capable of, and although he may have left his run a little late this year, with some more time under his belt post injury, clubs may want to keep an eye on how Taylor progresses.

#59 Thomas Cathcart

Fresh off of filling out a back pocket in the recent U16s All-Australian side, Cathcart put on an eye catching display in this game. The 2006-born defender was a joy to watch both defensively, and rebounding out the back. He possesses a great ability to read the footy in the air and a strong overhead mark, making great contests against older opponents throughout the game and showing a lot of confidence when going back with the flight. He shows a great deal of confidence in his kicking, consistently taking on the most damaging kick, and although he didn’t dish off the best delivery every time, his 18 disposals in this game were put to great use and he will continue to be a joy to watch in years to come.

By: Charlie McCormack

EAST PERTH:

#14 Mitch Miller

Having played the majority of the season at PSA level for Wesley, Miller showed how good a player he can be at colts level, gathering 16 disposals and three goals from the wing. The smooth-moving 17-year-old used the width of the ground well and as a result, he was often able to drift forward to find space inside 50 and make the Falcons pay with some exquisite finishing. His third goal was the pick of the bunch, as he ran onto a loose goal before executing a classy snap from 35 metres.

#26 Daniel Moore:

The big-bodied midfielder had a strong game at the coalface for the Royals, getting his hands dirty to win a stack of contested ball and provide plenty of grunt in the engine room for his side against a very strong Falcons midfield unit. The 19-year-old attacked the ball fiercely at ground level and also used the ball pretty well by gaining meterage for his side instead of trying to be too cute with the football. He finished with 26 disposals and seven disposals in a workmanlike display.

#50 Bailey Maxwell

The athletic ruckman showed some of the traits that saw him earn a state combine invite during the week, going head-to-head with Falcons big man Riley Sprigg in an interesting duel. The 17-year-old is still a raw product and while he was often out-bodied by Sprigg around the ground, showed a good vertical leap at centre bounces to win some good hit-outs to advantage. 

WEST PERTH:

#9 Kane Bevan

The West Perth skipper led from the front, producing a dominant performance in the midfield to be the best player on the ground. After his side conceded the first two goals of the game, Bevan was one of the key instigators in changing the momentum, winning a number of important clearances and getting involved in plenty of possession chains around the ground. One aspect of Bevan’s game that was particularly impressive was his ability to impact in the front half, with the 18-year-old kicking one long-range major and playing a hand in a couple of others to ensure his possessions were having scoreboard impact. He finished with 29 disposals, four marks and five tackles.

#12 Griffith Julian

The classy midfielder was among the best for the Falcons, gathering 24 disposals and seven marks in a polished display. Julian was often the beneficiary of the grunt work of Bevan, as the two worked well in tandem around the ball to combine for a number of good clearances. Although his ball use was at times not as exemplary as it sometimes is, he still showed glimpses of his silky skills, lacing out a forward on his non-preferred foot under pressure on one occasion and always looking composed whenever he had the ball.

#40 Jasper Scaife

The Fremantle NGA prospect put together an impressive performance akin to that of an old-school full-forward, highlighted by his strong marking and accurate kicking for goal. The 18-year-old displayed a clean pair of hands and some good forward craft on the lead but it was his finishing that was most impressive. Scaife booted 3.1, with his one behind hitting the post from a 55-metre set shot, and looked to have a very simple but technically sound set shot routine as he went back for each of his shots with confidence. He finished with 11 disposals and six marks to go alongside his three majors.

AROUND THE GROUNDS:

By: Charlie McCormack

Peel Thunder kept in touch with ladder leaders West Perth after downing a plucky Claremont by 21-points at Revo Fitness Stadium. Corey Tregenza-Cashell continued his rich vein of form, booting his second consecutive five-goal bag, while Clay Hall (25 disposals) and Michael Sellwood were valuable contributors. For the Tigers, national combine invitee Edward Allan was again his side’s best, gathering 31 disposals and nine marks while Carson Flower booted three goals to have a presence in the forward half.

At Fremantle Community Bank Oval, South Fremantle ground out a crucial 12-point win over third-placed Subiaco to all but confirm their finals place. For the Bulldogs, it was the usual suspects of Christian Wilson (29 disposals and nine tackles) and Roan O’Hehir who found plenty of the ball while Fremantle NGA product Chase Bourne was also influential with 20 touches. For Subiaco, gun bottom-ager Koltyn Tholstrup was outstanding, notching up 25 disposals and a goal while Jack Gouge (21 disposals) and Ryan Newick (19 disposals) continued their consistent campaigns with strong games.

Up the grades, Jed Hagan continued his seamless transition to League football, booting three goals from 12 disposals in East Fremantle’s thumping win over fellow top five side, Swan Districts at the WACA. Elijah Hewett was among the best for the Black Ducks, registering 18 disposals and six marks while Darcy Jones also featured, gathering six disposals. In the Reserves, bottom-ager Riley Hardeman picked up 10 disposals.

Back in the top flight, Reuben Ginbey returned straight back into the East Perth league side from PSA duties and acquitted himself strongly, gathering 14 disposals in a 70-point loss from the Royals.

After gaining an invite to the state combine during the week, Baxter Phillip made his debut at senior level for Perth, and booted a goal with his first kick in a big victory for the Demons over West Coast. He finished with six disposals.