UNDER 16 stars have been filtering into the Under 18 level around the country, and that is no different in the WAFL Colts. All Australian defender Thomas Cathcart has done so for Swan Districts, and again turned out above his age group in Round 19.

While the Swans completed their slide from premier to wooden spooner on Saturday, the 16-year-old showed a bit of promise in tough conditions and against stiff opposition. West Perth came out comfortable winners in the end, as we put Cathcart’s performance under the Player Focus microscope.

Swan Districts, Western AustraliaDefender

Thomas Cathcart

Height: 189cm

Weight: 78kg

DOB: 28-05-2006

Strengths:

Accumulation

Rebounding

Kick efficiency

Long kicking

SEASON SO FAR

2022 WAFL Colts averages: 6 games | 16.3 disposals | 13.7 kicks | 2.7 handballs | 2.2 marks | 2.0 tackles | 0.3 goals (2 total)

Earning promotion from Swan Districts’ Futures squad for six Colts games thus far, Cathcart has had a productive start to his career at the level. He debuted in Round 8 for 11 disposals against Peel Thunder, with his best tally of 22 coming in game three. On that day, Cathcart notched 21 kicks and he has quickly taken on the responsibility of kick-in duties from defence. He clunked a game-high seven marks in Round 18 against East Fremantle – the only Colts win he has been a part of so far. Of course, Cathcart also earned All Australian honours at this year’s Under 16 National Championships, finishing as WA’s highest possession getter with around 22 per game.

2022 WAFL Colts Round 19
Swan Districts 3.8 (26) def. by West Perth 11.12 (78)

#59 Thomas Cathcart (Swan Districts)
Stats: 19 disposals (16 kicks, 3 handballs), 2 tackles, 1 goal, 1 behind

FIRST QUARTER

A scrappy start to the game from either side meant much of the first term was played between the arcs, with both defences easily able to cut off opposition attacks. Cathcart had a major role to play for the Swans, starting out on Falcons forward Jasper Scaife.

Giving up both height and size to the Under 18 state representative, Cathcart also gave him a bit too much leeway in the early stages. On a quick break, Scaife got loose over the back to mark and slot home the first goal of the day from 45 metres.

It seemed that was all it took to give Cathcart a new matchup on Luke Foster. With the ball slingshotting from end to end, the youngster did not have much in the way of disposals, but reacted well at the fall of a contest at half-back to mop up and send his first kick down the line.

SECOND QUARTER

Starting the second term back on Scaife, Cathcart was put to work early as West Perth streamed inside 50 from the first centre bounce. He did enough aerially to deny his opponent, but was pinged for dragging the ball in moments later on a second Falcons entry.

Despite again being lead to the ball up the field by Scaife, Cathcart finally got to showcase his best traits as West Perth registered its first behind. Taking the kick-in, he played on and launched the ball outside 50 to a contest, giving a taste of his kicking range.

Things got tougher as the rain set in and the Falcons dominated territory, en route to running away with the half time lead. Cathcart continued to look long from the kick-ins, and was given space to play on into before breaching the 50-metre arc by foot.

He also got into good positions to receive hand-offs and while a fumble or two halted his progress, Cathcart was involved in much more of the play during term two.

THIRD QUARTER

The third term was a procession for the West Perth forwards, who slammed home four unanswered goals from 11 scoring shots. Unfortunately for Cathcart and his fellow Swans defenders, there wasn’t much resistance further afield to help their cause.

Cathcart was put to work with a couple of kicks in the first five minutes, though he was forced to rush on both. He did well to get the first away while being tackled, but punted the second into a teammate’s back.

Despite those blemishes, he mixed it up with his disposal out of full back; going up the middle and to the opposite flank late in the term to give Swan Districts a different look on the rebound.

FOURTH QUARTER

Of all the players to break a streak of two goalless quarters and eight West Perth goals, Cathcart would be up there with the most unlikely. It was he who did so nonetheless, shifting forward after around 15 minutes in term four and quickly racking up three shots on goal.

He got to great spots at the fall of the ball, mopping up contest spills and running past teammates under pressure at the right time. While two snaps failed to find the target, Cathcart’s checkside effort bounced home as a neat finish under pressure.

It was a positive end to what was a tough day for the 16-year-old, who was up against it in a besieged Swan Districts defence. At 189cm, he may continue to be expected to play above his size and has plenty of time to develop his defensive game. Offensively, his distributive skills are sound with kicking his main weapon.