WHILE the state Under 18 squad underwent its second and final trial, Round 8 of the WAFL Colts season saw four games stretched across a super Saturday of action. Undefeated reigning premier Claremont remains clear atop the ladder despite a bye, while an even trailing pack continues to jostle for spots.

>> SCROLL for the Round 8 results & ladder

Subiaco picked up its third win on the bounce to keep touch with Claremont, downing East Perth by 31 points at Leederville Oval. The Lions were inaccurate in the first half but established a lead and straightened up with 6.3 after half time to run out 11.13 (79) to 7.6 (48) victors.

Ben Steinmann led all comers in the winning side with 27 disposals and 11 marks, as the only Lion to notch over 20 touches. Talls Finley Henderson and Koopa Walsh bagged two goals each alongside state squad member Wesley Walley, who missed out on playing in both Under 18 trials.

Marcus Cassidy‘s three-goal haul made up nearly half of East Perth’s tally, leading from four other individual goalkickers. When it came to racking up possessions, Zaiden Ladyman (26), Jake Caton (25), and Adam De Masi (23) were prolific in a losing effort.

Seven unanswered first term goals proved the difference as East Fremantle beat Perth by 44 points at Claremont Oval. For the remaining three quarters, the Sharks posted 7.6 to the Demons’ 8.5 but still came out on top 15.8 (98) to 8.6 (54), solidifying their third-place standing.

Kobe Austin did the damage with seven majors for East Fremantle, taking nine marks along the way. Elijah Stockden racked up 29 touches in the win, while no Dee had more disposals than Liam Cooley‘s 17. Bottom-age state squad member Koby Evans booted two goals in the defeat.

Comfortably the highest-scoring game of the round saw West Perth defeat Swan Districts by 12 points at Bassendean Oval. The Falcons piled on 10 goals across terms two and three to set up a 53-point lead at the final break, but conceded eight majors the fourth to end up 16.5 (101) to 14.5 (89) victors.

All three of the Falcons’ leading ball winners got on the board with two goals apiece; namely Austin Chapman (24 disposals), Jack Wooden (22), and Codan Daddow (17). Kayde Sherwood and Judd Marcello matched their efforts as part of 11 individual goalkickers.

Fresh off turning out against the state Under 18s in last week’s trial, Swans midfielder Chayse Martinson led all comers with 25 touches. Otis Harvey (20 disposals, eight inside 50s) and Lucas Andrews (18 and five) were also prominent, while state squad member Anthony Hansen managed a single goal.

The result sees West Perth move to a positive 3-2-1 record in fourth place, while Swan Districts remains one of four sides stuck on two wins. Another of them is Peel Thunder, who beat cellar dweller South Fremantle by three points in Mandurah thanks to Blair Robins‘ final minute set shot.

Minus state captain Bo Allan and some serious firepower, the Thunder had strong contributions from the likes of Kyelan Sanders (22 disposals, seven tackles, one goal), Tom Smedley (22 disposals), and recent national representative Basil Hart (20 disposals, seven marks, six inside 50s).

South Fremantle had one state squad member afield in tall defender Tom Bell, who posted 15 touches and four marks. Toby Whan topped the disposal charts with 28 to go with seven tackles and as many inside 50s, while Mitchell Geier (22 disposals, seven marks) was also among the Bulldogs’ best.

The WAFL Colts competition continues next week with Round 9 split between two Saturday games and a pair on Monday. Claremont returns to action as Perth puts its feet up for a bye, while the state Under 18 side begins its National Championships campaign against the Allies in Sydney on Sunday.

STATE SQUAD MEMBERS

Perth:
Koby Evans – 12 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals

South Fremantle:
Tom Bell – 15 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles

Subiaco:
Wesley Walley – 11 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 2 goals
Hayden Windsor – 12 disposals, 5 marks, 3 inside 50s

Swan Districts:
Anthony Hansen – 8 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal

>> FULL SQUAD: 2024 Western Australia U18s

ROUND 8 RESULTS

East Perth 7.6 (48) def. by Subiaco 11.13 (79)
East Fremantle 15.8 (98) def. Perth 8.6 (54)
Swan Districts 14.5 (89) def. by West Perth 16.5 (101)
Peel Thunder 7.8 (50) def. South Fremantle 6.11 (47)

Bye: Claremont

WAFL COLTS LADDER

1. Claremont (6-0, 163.3%)
2. Subiaco (5-2, 115.9%)
3. East Fremantle (4-2, 137.4%)
4. West Perth (3-2-1, 110.6%)
5. Perth (2-4-1, 84.1%)
6. Peel Thunder (2-4, 90.4%)
7. Swan Districts (2-4, 86.5%)
8. East Perth (2-4, 82.9%)
9. South Fremantle (1-5, 63.8%)