PERTH continued its unbeaten start to the 2023 WAFL Colts season, while fellow top five side Subiaco was the biggest winner in Round 6. We noted some of the top performers from either clash before taking a look around the grounds at Colts level.

>> Around the Grounds: WAFL League Round 6

By: Hayden Narducci

EAST FREMANTLE:

#3 Koen Sanchez

A class above in the Sharks’ outfit, Sanchez was unbothered by opposition pressure and looked comfortable at all times. Starting out on a wing, Sanchez appeared really high-class with his clean hands and composed disposal. He moves smoothly and elegantly on the outside, never pulling out any over the top evasive manoeuvres, yet regularly getting past the man ahead of him. A move to the inside of the midfield in the second half saw Sanchez get his hands on a lot more of the footy, continuing to use it to great effect as he led the disposals and inside 50 count for his side. His game was capped off with a gorgeous goal from 50 out on the run, yet his inspired effort was not enough to get his side across the line.

#16 James Spadanuda

The leading ball winner in the WAFL Colts competition, Spadanuda had his first sub-30 disposal game of the year, but conversely had a season-high nine tackles. As Subiaco dominated the ruck taps, Spadanuda was left disadvantaged in the centre, yet never gave up as his tireless motor was used to great effect both offensively and defensively for the Sharks. Often finding himself winning the hard contested footy, Spadanuda was left to pick out teammates by hand rather than by boot as he received plenty of attention from the Subiaco mids.

SUBIACO:

#7 Lance Collard

The most accurate way to describe Collard would be as a freak of nature. So light-footed and nimble when moving along the ground, defenders found him hard to follow as he kept up his recent goal scoring form, putting four past the Sharks to make it 10 goals in his last three games. What makes him dangerous more so than his athleticism, is how intelligently he reads the play, never getting sucked into the marking contest and somehow always being right where the ball spills. An elite poacher and incredible finisher, he once again proved too much for opposition defenders to handle in this game.

#8 Riley Wills

The hardest worker afield in this game, through absolute grunt work and desperation, Wills helped tip the scales to his sides advantage with his midfield work. Not awe inspiring when on the footy, Wills gets all the basics right, putting his head over the ball, working to get to contest after contest and getting the ball forward and to a teammate rather than messing about with it. His hard work was rewarded in this game with two sensational goals, proving equally as potent when resting forward.

#45 Luker Kentfield

Splitting his work between full forward and ruck in this game, Kentfield was dominant wherever he found himself in the contest. His first contribution to the game was a Tom Hawkins-like ruck battle inside 50, throwing his opponent off with ease, taking the footy straight out the ruck and putting it straight between the big sticks. Aside from his lumbering strength, Kentfield used his time up the ground as a ruck to flaunt his gorgeous field kicking, lacing out lead up forwards with pure precision. An easy target to pick out for his teammates when going inside 50, Kentfield really looks like a man amongst boys in the colts competition.

By: Charlie McCormack

PERTH:

#3 Cooper Moore

The prolific bottom-age talent continued his good form, getting busy in midfield to accumulate 21 disposals and eight marks. A diminutive type at 170cm, Moore did his best work on the outside, as he often positioned himself smartly to take several uncontested marks. He used the ball nicely by foot, lowering his eyes and finding inboard targets. It was another solid display from the 16-year-old, who has been added to the WA squad as a bottom-age train on player as reward for his form.

#26 Oscar Hine-Baston

Hine-Baston showed some of the form that saw him included in the state squad as an over-age player, illustrating some of his explosive speed and power from midfield and half-back. The 18-year-old played a typical high-impact game where his influence was greater than his 13 possessions would suggest. In defence, he showed excellent closing speed that allowed him to spoil on the lead while he looked to drive the ball forward and break lines with ball in hand. He also drifted forward and snapped a mercurial goal from the pocket to cap off his game.

#36 Elijah Scoble

The rangy defender produced a composed performance down back, positioning himself nicely behind the ball to mop up several errant West Perth forward entries. Listed at 193cm, Scoble played taller than his size would suggest, and he was effective when able to position himself as a spare man and drift into a contest to intercept mark. He also looked to get involved offensively, using his neat and almost languid looking kicking style to good effect on a few occasions. He finished with 13 disposals and five marks.

#43 Michael Hall

The Demons skipper was the dominant key forward on the ground, booting four goals from six marks and 12 disposals in a display that saw him among the most influential players on the ground. The over-ager played like an old school full forward, leading hard and direct at the ball and being prepared to split the pack in front of him to create a contest. He also finished his work soundly for the most part, although a couple of blemishes cost him from going home with an even bigger haul. 

WEST PERTH:

#14 Trent Hiscock

The big-bodied 17-year-old played one of his better games of the campaign, registering 14 disposals and five tackles in a midfield role that showcased his penetrating kick and physical presence. While not a natural accumulator of the ball, Hiscock was effective in the contest, using his 190cm frame to win some important contested balls and lay some strong tackles. He also produced a rare highlight for the Falcons, rising high over his opponent to take a nice overhead grab in the second term.

#25 Callum Smith

As he has done for much of the season, Smith was the glue that held the Falcons backline together, as he racked up 25 disposals and eight marks in another solid performance. He was a key factor in the Falcons staying within arm’s length of Perth at half time, as he took several intercept marks deep in defence to diffuse the pressure.  It continues a very consistent season from the over-ager, who continues to impress with his ability to read the play down back.

#27 Odin Jones

The sole Falcon to feature in the WA state squad, Jones started the game in fine fashion, spreading well from stoppages and taking a few contested grabs to have nine first term disposals. The 17-year-old played with plenty of physical presence, making himself known by following up his ruck work and clearing a path for his midfielders. While not the most elegant looking kick, Jones used the ball well at times, opting to back himself by foot although sometimes got into trouble trying to finesse the football too much. Although his influence waned a touch after quarter time, it was an impressive performance from Jones which saw him compete well against a quality opponent in fellow state ruckmen Coen Livingstone.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Claremont moved to 5-0 on the season with a 13-point win over Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday. The Tigers were tested but broke away with five goals to one in term three, before holding on to the 8.8 (56) to 6.7 (43) victory despite a goalless final quarter.

Swans midfielder Luke Kelly and defender Thomas Cathcart both topped the disposal charts with 27 apiece, with the former also laying 15 tackles and booting a goal in the loss. Ruck-forward Evan Smith was also influential with two goals from 21 touches and eight marks.

The victors had eight single goal kickers on the day, including the likes of Kai Dehavilland, Riley Disisto, Max Wilson and Hamish Davis, who were also in the top bracket of ball winners. Joe Fonti and Ryley Valli led those stakes with over 20 touches apiece.

Sunday’s standalone game was a thriller at Fremantle Oval, where South Fremantle pulled off an epic comeback against East Perth. The Bulldogs trailed at each break but edged to a one-point win after slowly clawing their way back throughout the contest.

Ashton Ferreira led all comers with 29 disposals, while Edward Graham booted a goal from his 23, and Isaiah Hayden (son of Roger) was the Bulldogs’ lone multiple goal kicker with two. Tall forward Mitch Williams snared three for the Royals while midfielder Will Cassidy racked up 23 touches.