THE 2023 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 individual campaigns.

In what was a difficult exercise with several players missing matches due to school, senior or state football, a minimum of eight home-and-away games were needed to be eligible for the team, ruling out the likes of Daniel Curtin, Koltyn Tholstrup, Clay Hall, Aidan O’Driscoll, and Koen Sanchez.

Swan Districts skipper Luke Kelly leads the side, with his productivity and hard-nosed contested play seeing him set a great example for the rest of the team. Subiaco boasts a high of five representatives, with minor premier Perth contributing four members.

Note: This team was the opinion of the individual author

DEFENDERS:

B: Ethan Barbieri (S) – Callum Smith (WP) – Bo Allan (PT)
HB: James Spadanuda (EF) – Elijah Scoble (P) – Oscar Hine-Baston (P)

Over-ager Callum Smith earns his spot at full back, having won a lot of the football shouldering a big responsibility in the backline for the Falcons. He is joined by fellow key defender Elijah Scoble, whose poise and intercept marking saw him edge out unlucky teammate, Cameron Hall.

Bottom-ager Bo Allan is the sole Peel representative in the team, earning his position as a competitive mid-sized defender who can lock down. Needless to say, the Thunder fell well short of the campaign which saw them take out last year’s premiership.

James Spadanuda provides plenty of rebound and incisive ball-use alongside Oscar-Hine Baston, who’s combination of speed and power gives the backline a point of difference. Subiaco’s Ethan Barbieri, takes the final spot in the back six, offering another steady presence and reliable ball use.

MIDFIELDERS:

FOL: Coen Livingstone (P) – Kai Dehavilland (C) – Luke Kelly (SD, c)
C: Joe Fonti (C) – Will Cassidy (EP) – Tyler Senge (S)

Coen Livingstone leads the on-ball division in the ruck, after a dominant season which saw him boot 20 goals and average 16 disposals. East Perth skipper Will Cassidy is rewarded for his consistent performances alongside state representatives Luke Kelly and Kai Dehavilland, who provide the midfield with a nice mixture of inside grunt and power around the contest.

Joe Fonti’s silky skills and outside class sees him take his spot on the wing. He is joined by Subiaco’s Tyler Senge, who was the competition’s most prolific ball winner and acts as the perfect complement to Fonti with his blend of speed and ball winning ability.

FORWARDS:

HF: Riley Wills (S) – Jack Cocking (EF) – Malakai Champion (S)
F: Lance Collard (S) – Lewis Zolnier-Owens (SD) – Dante Wiseman (EF)

Jack Cocking takes his place at centre half-forward, having been the dominant goal kicker in the competition with 43 goals. He is partnered by Swan Districts sharpshooter Lewis Zolnier-Owens, who had a productive season for the Black Ducks, kicking 31 goals as a deep forward before stepping up to Reserves level.

Riley Wills’ goalkicking exploits, which saw him average a goal per game as an on-baller, sees him line up on a half-forward flank alongside bottom-age teammate Malakai Champion whose strong end to the season sees him rewarded with a spot. Lance Collard picks himself as the league’s most dynamic small forward alongside Dante Wiseman, who demonstrated genuine goal nous inside the Sharks’ forward 50.

INTERCHANGE:

IC: Jake Watson (P), Chayse Martinson (SD), Bailey Harbour (EP), Odin Jones (WP), Matt Galjaardt (WP)

Jake Watson earns a spot on the bench off the back of a terrific season across half-back, where he ended as the league’s third highest disposal getter. Scrappy Swans bottom-ager Chayse Martinson gives the midfield another strong inside option, while Royal Bailey Harbour’s versatility gives the side added flexibility.

West Perth big-man Odin Jones slots in as the second ruckman and gives the side another strong physical presence. Matt Galjaardt’s consistency clinches him the final spot on the pine, with Cooper Moore, Kalib Dempster-Park and Callum Copeland amongst the desperately unlucky omissions – all named as emergencies.