THE 2022 Rookie Me Central WAFL Colts Team of the Year has dropped, with 23 of the competition’s most consistent players being rewarded for their outstanding seasons.

With a minimum of eight games needed to qualify into the team, the likes of Jed Hagan, Darcy Jones, Jedd Busslinger, Elijah Hewett, Jack Cleaver and Steely Green were not eligible due to playing the majority of the year at senior level. In a similar vein, PSA guns Reuben Ginbey, Kaleb Smith and Connor McDonald also fell short of the qualification requirements.

West Perth skipper Kane Bevan leads the side after captaining the Falcons to the minor premiership, and is joined by four other teammates. Meanwhile, second placed Peel Thunder features a team-high six representatives.

Check out the 23-man team below, compiled by West Australian draft analysts Charlie McCormack and Hayden Narducci.

DEFENDERS:

B: Michael Sellwood (PT) – Jed Adams (PT) – Luke Michael (WP)
HB: Daniel Gathercole (WP)   Joshua Sukuroski (CLA)  Jordyn Baker (EP)

The defence features a good mix of players who can lock down as well as provide good rebound and offensive threat. Michael Sellwood slots in alongside teammate Jed Adams after being moved behind the ball early in the season to good effect, while Adams put his name up as a draft bolter after an impressive season as an intercept defender. They are joined by impressive Claremont key Josh Sukuroski, who was the Tigers’ best player in 2022. Classy Royal Jordyn Baker provides the backline plenty with of rebound, while prolific West Perth pair Luke Michael and Daniel Gathercole take their spots in the back six after excellent campaigns.

MIDFILDERS:

C: Clay Hall (PT) – Christian Wilson (SF) – Baxter Phillip (PER)        
FOL: Jackson Broadbent (PT) – Kane Bevan (WP, c) – Roan O’Heir (SF)

The starting on-ballers largely picked themselves, with South Fremantle’s Christian Wilson the competition’s best extractor, having averaged 26.2 disposals. He starts in the centre alongside Bevan, who at 192cm, plays as a powerful midfielder to compliment Wilson and fellow diminutive on-baller Roan O’Heir, whose clean skills and consistent performances earned him a spot starting in the engine room.

Bottom-ager Clay Hall takes his place on the wing, with his powerful running ability and penetrating kick making him the ideal option. He is paired with athletic Perth utility Baxter Philip, who had a terrific season and was rewarded with a league debut late in the campaign.

In the ruck, AFL Academy member Jackson Broadbent may not have had the season he would have liked, but he was still an influential ruckman whenever he played at Colts level. He averaged 27.5 hitouts, 12 disposals and kicked seven goals to edge out Falcon Riley Sprigg. 

FORWRDS:

HF: Koltyn Tholstrup (SUB) – Jasper Scaife (WP) – Jack DeMarte (WP)
FF: Liam Brandis (SF) – Corey Tregenza-Cashell (PT) – Byron Finch (PT)

Jasper Scaife lines up at centre half-forward with his strong marking and straight kicking complimented by Thunder tall Corey Tregenza-Cashell, who had a strong campaign with five bags of three-plus goals which saw him rewarded with state selection.

They are supported by gun bottom-ager Koltyn Tholstrup, who lit the competition up early in the season as a hybrid forward before being shipped around the ground later on. In the small forward department, Liam Brandis and Jack DeMarte pick themselves as the two leading goal scorers for the season, while Peel livewire Byron Finch clinches the last spot in the forward group and adds some genuine X-factor to the side.

INTERCHANGE:

Luke Yeo (EF), Darcy Miller (EP), Ryan Newick (SUB), Rory Murison (SUB), Oliver Zolnier Owens (PER)

With a number of deserving players and only five interchange spots available, positions were extremely tight on the bench. Luke Yeo is the sole Shark in the team and is a tough midfield option to come off the bench, while the versatile Darcy Miller can fill a void off half-back or in the centre as he did for much of the season for East Perth.

Subiaco utility Ryan Newick is a big-bodied player who impressed with his power and penetrating kicking, while his teammate Rory Murison offers some class that can see him rotate through the wings. Finally, Perth on-baller Oliver Zolnier Owens takes the final spot, with his consistency in the Perth midfield giving him the edge over Jack Saunders and Mitch Barron, who were among those unlucky to miss.