THE 2023 WAFL Colts finals series got underway over the weekend, with both higher-ranked sides in Claremont and Subiaco picking up wins. We took note of some of the top prospects from either match, with a focus on state representatives, combine invitees, and bottom-agers.

>> Up the Grades: Kolt hero makes top flight return

SUBIACO 12.9 (81) def. WEST PERTH 7.2 (44)

By: Charlie McCormack

SUBIACO:

#7 Lance Collard

With his side under the pump early in the contest, Collard produced one of the best individual halves of the season, booting four goals and setting up another to single-handedly keep the Lions in the contest at half time. The 18-year-old kicked his majors in trademark fashion, finishing several seemingly difficult chances with nonchalance, with four of his five goals coming from opportunistic snaps or checksides. It was a performance that illustrated Collard’s best traits, with his speed, finishing and goal sense on full display.

#8 Riley Wills

Playing his first game in over a month, Wills blew out any cobwebs with an explosive start to the game, winning the first two centre clearances and bursting from congestion. Arguably the most powerful midfielder in the competition, the 19-year-old looked a class above when in space, with his speed, evasion and raking kick making him the most influential player on the ground across the four quarters. He finished with 26 disposals, seven marks, six tackles and a goal in what was the complete midfield performance.

#20 Dylan O’Dea

The ever-reliable O’Dea was again amongst Subiaco’s top contributors, providing plenty of run and drive from half-back. The 18-year-old gained plenty of meterage, often electing to take the ground in front of him and drive his team forward courtesy of his long, penetrating left foot. Alongside fellow experienced defender Ethan Barbieri, O’Dea was important in stifling the Falcons’ momentum and controlling the tempo of the contest. He finished with 20 disposals and 13 marks.

WEST PERTH:

#29 Amon Ross

The State 16s squad member has given a strong account for himself since entering the Falcons Colts program and he produced a promising display in the elimination final, registering 10 disposals and three marks. Stationed in a half-back role opposed to some very speedy Subiaco forwards, Ross showed a good blend of offensive and defensive traits, looking to come off his man and provide rebound where possible but also looking defensively sound and reading the play well.

#27 Odin Jones

Jones was one of the major reasons why the Falcons threatened to cause a boilover in the first half, as he produced a massive individual display, notching 25 hitouts, 17 disposals and five tackles. The 197cm prospect played with such presence, demonstrating great physicality and follow-up work at stoppages, and providing a good aerial target for his side. Such was his impact at ground level that he was employed as a midfielder at times when Kayle Gerryn was chopping out in the ruck. It concludes a terrific season from the Falcons ruckman, with his focus turning to preparing for the upcoming State Combine.

#42 Kayle Gerreyn

The bottom-ager impressed rucking alongside Jones, showing good athleticism and ruck craft in a promising display in only his fourth game at Colts level. Gerryn set up the Falcons first goal with a lovely hitout to advantage and continued to impact around the contest, using his good vertical leap to give his on-ballers first use. He was also productive around the ground, taking some strong contested marks and winning several clearances. He finished as his team’s leading ball winner with 18 disposals in a performance that should give him plenty of belief heading into his top-age campaign.

CLAREMONT 8.7 (55) def. EAST FREMANTLE 6.6 (42)

By: Hayden Narducci

CLAREMONT:

#8 Kai Dehavilland

As he’s done so often this season, Dehavilland led from the front in midfield for the Tigers. Many of his disposals came with an element of risk and urgency to move the game on, setting the tone early for Claremont’s fast paced counter attacking style that gave them their lead to start this game. Pacey and agile, yet strong and bullish, Dehavilland did it all in this game as he breezed past defenders and broke tackle after tackle. His cleanliness in conditions was a real feature of his game, not letting the wet pill affect how he took the game on.

#18 Joe Fonti

It’s getting tough to find new ways to describe Fonti’s composure and importance to the Tigers’ defence, seemingly unable to make a mistake on the footy field. It took the Sharks 18 inside 50s before they managed so much as a score, largely thanks to the relentless efforts of Fonti & co. The man in question intercepted anything that came his way and blasted forward to counter without having to think about it. Fonti’s speed and self assurance to counter upon winning the ball down back continued to catch his opposition off guard and allow him to gain a vital 20-30 metres before he’s even dished the ball off.

#21 Zane Zakostelsky

A different game for Zakostelsky compared to recent weeks, where he lined up at the first centre bounce and stayed there for most of the game. After a quiet first quarter, Zakostelsky used his remarkable speed well to cover plenty of ground and be the premier ruck around the ground as he had done to begin the season. Winning plenty of the footy in the middle stages of the game, he used the ball cleverly and became extremely damaging as a fourth midfielder. This freeing style, as opposed to when he plays full back, allowed Zakostelsky to take the game on fully with some brilliant marking and gut running in conditions not meant for big men.

EAST FREMANTLE:

#14 Presley Campbell

Having missed most of the Sharks’ season with PSA duties for Aquinas, Campbell was back to his fast rebounding self off half-back in this game. At 176cm, most of Campbell’s work was done mopping up ground balls around his defensive 50 and using his speed to break away from opponents and get the ball forward. Often working with a partner to get the ball up, Campbell waxed well with James Spadanuda and Mitch Zaddow as he would win the ball and create space for them to take inside 50, and vice versa. Campbell’s kicking was effective for the most part, though tough conditions and moving at such pace did lead to some mistakes by foot.

#16 James Spadanuda

Lively and hardworking, Spadanuda seemed to find himself involved whenever East Fremantle moved the ball forward. Spadanuda worked at pace on the outside of midfield as he created several opportunities for his side with his smart kicking and rapidness to dispose of the ball when gaining possession. As the conditions worsened, Spadanuda began to show more grunt with his contested game, tackling hard and putting his body on the line to help his teammates to work the ball forward. 

#35 Jack Cocking

With a stat line not reflecting of his impact in this game, Cocking was the main man for East Fremantle to get the ball inside 50. Eight of his nine disposals came from marking the footy, showcasing some stunning one-on-one craft and using his strength to create separation to lead out. When dishing the ball of to team mates, Cocking set up some strong opportunities with classy kicking and vision. Though it was his own kicking for goal, usually his major strength, that let him down in this game. Mighty tough conditions for a key forward in third wet and windy game, Cocking was the best of the big forwards in this affair.