THE 2025 WAFL Colts finals series got underway over the weekend, with four teams now remaining in the hunt for this year’s flag. East Fremantle won Saturday’s qualifying final over reigning premiers Claremont, while West Perth eliminated Swan Districts from the running on Sunday. We took note of some of the top prospects and performers across both games.

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East Fremantle 11.9 (75) def. Claremont 7.8 (50)
Qualifying Final – 2nd vs. 3rd

By: Michael Alvaro

EAST FREMANTLE:

#1 Finlay Yeo
Small Forward | 171cm | 01/04/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 goal

Responsible for potentially both the goal and mark of the year in a single half of footy, Yeo showcased his talent in several eye-catching moments. He first swooped onto a loose ball in the pocket before slotting home on his left foot while running towards the boundary. Next was an absolute hanger, soaring onto the back of his opponent with a terrific sit, but going on to miss the set shot. Standing at just 171cm, the bottom-ager was gutsy and powerful when flying for marks and is sure to produce a few more highlights over the next 12 months at Colts level.

#4 Reid Foot
Small Forward | 176cm | 12/01/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

Producing another exciting performance after bursting onto the Colts scene in Round 19, Foot was central to East Fremantle’s decisive third quarter surge. The diminutive and agile prospect kicked two goals and had a hand in another as his side pounced on Claremont’s defensive 50 turnovers. While only credited with three, the 16-year-old’s tackling was a highlight and saw him earn one of his two majors. Foot’s energy and willingness to take opponents on were also highlights of his game.

#5 Lincoln Martignago
Small Forward | 178cm | 14/05/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

Another of the Sharks’ young guns, Martignago provided connectivity and energy up forward. The bottom-ager found possessions hitting up outside attacking 50, while also proving opportunistic closer to goal. He scored majors in the first and third quarters, snapping around the corner with times to put his stamp on the contest. Martignago’s craftiness – alongside the likes of fellow smalls Yeo and Foot – helped keep Claremont’s usually resolute defenders guessing.

#15 Rhama Evans
Midfielder | 180cm | 02/01/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 marks

Evans topped East Fremantle’s disposal charts with 22, leading the midfield line with his usual bustling runs to create momentum heading forward. The top-ager helped bring the ball to the outside by driving his legs and constantly looking to take ground. While sometimes unorthodox in his end product, Evans was able to find the ball in key areas between the arcs and helped lift his side during the decisive third quarter.

#23 Rhyder O’Brien
Defender | 181cm | 26/10/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 8 marks

With Jye Sander locking down Claremont’s most dangerous key forward, O’Brien was free to both provide a chop-out, and become a creative force on the rebound. He racked up eight marks as a key distributor who dictated play across the defensive half, looking to move the ball on quickly and combine with teammates. He was most dangerous when attempting to dash up the field, helping form counterattacking passages with the flick of a switch – most notably in term two.

#33 Kye Ormerod
Tall Forward | 192cm | 28/05/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals

One of five Sharks to finish with two goals, Ormerod helped spearhead the attack alongside Benjamin Wood. The bottom-age tall provided early connection up the ground and bagged a first quarter goal by attacking the aerial ball better than his opponent. He then produced a seven-point play in the final term, missing a set shot but making amends by intercepting the kick-in and converting the second opportunity. Ormerod also chopped out in the ruck with good presence.

#37 Joshua Nomlatyu
Ruck/Key Forward | 198cm | 22/02/2007

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 tackles, 25 hitouts

Nomlatyu had the inenviable task of competing against Claremont talls Benji van Rooyen and Charlie Watson in the ruck, but held his own to lead the hitout count. The Fremantle Next Generation Academy prospect exhibited a strong leap and ability to extend at the ball, utilising his rangy frame to get first hand on it. On top of his ruck responsibilities, Nomlatyu stayed involved in open play and did his best to combat the nimble Tigers pair’s second efforts.

CLAREMONT:

#6 Charlie Banfield
Midfielder | 191cm | 18/07/2007

Stats: 33 disposals, 7 marks, 7 tackles, 2 goals

Banfield was arguably best afield in a losing effort, stuffing the stats sheet in an all-round dominant performance. He used his big frame to crash and bash on the inside, absorbing contact and taking on tacklers to set a strong tone at the source. His overhead marking was also typically sound, rising for several clean grabs with some gutsy efforts scattered in the mix. Banfield’s competitive style led to some scrappy play, but he straightened up nicely to slot a pair of goals, the second coming as he steadied on the run in term three. He gave Claremont the lead at that point before a swift downfall.

#7 Cody Curtin
Key Forward | 200cm | 18/05/2007

Stats: 6 disposals, 2 marks, 1 goal

Restricted to a single goal by Sharks over-ager Jye Sander, it was an indifferent outing from Curtin. The imposing key forward looked to put his stamp on the game with strong defensive efforts and physically dominant ruck work, though had his marking output largely quelled. Both of his two grabs for the day came in one-on-one duels during the second term, the first of which led to his only goal. Curtin was double-teamed at times and while East Fremantle did well to shut down his avenues to goal, he still drew a crowd and freed up teammates to potentially have their moment.

#20 Benji van Rooyen
Ruck/Key Forward | 203cm | 17/09/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 19 hitouts

Arguably the best Colts ruckman in the state as a bottom-ager, van Rooyen showcased a few different elements to his game on Saturday. The towering tall battled hard as usual at the source, but was also sighted dropping behind the ball to support the defence, and providing a marking option around the ground. van Rooyen’s reach and clean hands were key features as he reeled in some decent grabs, even proving nimble at ground level. His follow-up work held up, especially on the defensive end, and he added a couple of spin moves to his play around the stoppages.

#22 Heath Mellody
Wing/Midfielder | 181cm | 27/07/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles

Mellody was employed on both sides of midfield, starting out on the wing before having a run on-ball. He looked most influential when finding the space, where he could pick out targets by foot with his unique style and angles. The bottom-ager weighted his forward kicks well and bit off risky inboard options, but also proved he could wind it back and take a more measured approach. Despite largely making his name as a wingman, he had a dip when used on the inside.

#24 George Gale
Defender | 187cm | 06/09/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks

It was a typical kind of game from Gale, who picked up possessions with relative ease and was efficient in his approach. The bottom-ager began to get his game going in the second quarter, advancing the play a little more with link-up passages and creative kicks. He remained measured throughout the match to be one of Claremont’s most reliable distributors out of defence, showcasing composure and smooth movement.

#26 Harper Banfield
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 18/12/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 9 tackles, 1 goal

Following the example set by his elder brother, Banfield exhibited similar traits as he looks to establish himself as a West Coast father-son chance for next year. He started out with a flukey goal late in the first quarter, with the ball falling onto his boot at a forward 50 stoppage. Going on to get involved in midfield, he brought great intensity to the on-ball battle and applied himself physically with nine tackles. While smaller than Charlie, Harper was similarly strong overhead and provided a few bursts out of the contest to further catch the eye.

#36 Charlie Watson
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 02/10/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 4 hitouts

Along with van Rooyen, Watson displayed plenty of promising traits in Claremont’s key position posts. His mobility was noticeable, able to snatch the loose ball out of stoppage situations and charge forward with a deceptively powerful turn of speed. His ability to fend and move was complimented by clean skills at ground level, collecting the ball well below his knees at all of 199cm.

West Perth 11.13 (79) def. Swan Districts 10.4 (64)
Elimination Final – 4th vs. 5th

By: James Bell

WEST PERTH:

#4 Jacob Farrow
Midfielder/Defender | 189cm | 21/09/2007

Stats: 26 disposals, 4 marks, 11 inside 50s

To the dismay of his opposition, the powerful midfielder/defender found himself on the precipice of the forward 50 constantly over the course of the four quarters. This meant he could penetrate Swan Districts’ defensive line with his raking left boot, setting up scoring opportunities in the process. Farrow was capable of winning first possession, but worked best when he was receiving the ball on the outside and distributing effectively, which he did throughout.

#7 Judd Marcello
Tall Forward | 192cm | 02/01/2007

Stats: 8 disposals, 7 tackles, 4 goals

Marcello carried his momentum into the first week of the finals after sealing a postseason spot for the Falcons with a late-game goal last week. The tall forward looked like one of the strongest players on the ground with the ability to shrug off multiple opponents at a time. Despite this, he still showed strong defensive intent when the ball hit the ground. At one point, Marcello sprung upon a defender deep inside 50, earning himself a holding the ball free kick and slotting the close-range goal. Most importantly, he kicked clutch goals and took important marks when it counted. His set shot goal late in the third was crucial in stemming the tide after Swan Districts dominated the third term. His contested mark and subsequent goal in the final quarter were crucial moments.

#9 Lochlain Carpenter
Key Defender | 194cm | 01/04/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 9 marks

West Perth’s captain stood tall in defence, clunking intercept marks all day. He was solid down back and served as a defensive general, marshalling his side from the back 50 while establishing forward forays. Carpenter was composed and defensively sound, and will likely be a key player in future finals for the Falcons.

#13 Amon Ross
Midfielder | 179cm | 15/01/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles

Ross was one of the Falcons’ most consistent performers on the day. He was present in all three areas of the ground. He delivered the ball inside 50 for the opening goal, he attacked contests in the defensive 50 before releasing teammates streaking by, and he displayed sharp hands in the midfield. Ross showcased a cool head all game, which was important when the game kicked up a gear.

#26 Sam Swadling
Midfielder | 187cm | 16/01/2007

Stats: 34 disposals, 4 inside 50s

The premier ball winner in the WAFL Colts competition continued to do as advertised, collecting plenty of possessions and aiding his side to a 15-point win. Swadling was busy from the outset, winning 12 possessions in the first quarter. He generated his side’s first clearance via a series of handballs and kept on hunting the ball for the remainder of the game.

SWAN DISTRICTS:

#3 Blake Kelly
Midfielder | 183cm | 03/01/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 goal

Kelly produced one of his standout performances of the season when it mattered most. He led by example and delivered in a variety of ways. He brought opposition players to ground with ferocious tackles, regularly won first possession for Swan Districts, and exhibited explosiveness while bursting from stoppage. Kelly was able to sneak forward and have a scoreboard impact, kicking a set shot goal in the third quarter after finding space inside 50. He simply never relented.

#9 Leon Kickett
Small Forward | 172cm | 07/11/2006

Stats: 6 disposals, 4 goals

The livewire small forward finished the year with his biggest goal haul. Kickett kicked first of the game, finding ample room inside 50. Moments later, he crumbed the corresponding centre clearance, checksideing the ball on his right foot from 30 out. Kickett also demonstrated a physical edge, bumping his direct opponent on the defensive wing off the ball to win a contested possession. His final goal involved a bit of showboating, and in the last term, he attempted a specky. Pickett is quite the showman, so it’s no wonder he earned a state combine call-up.

#37 Levi Calcott
Small Forward | 175cm | 20/10/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 3 goals

The 17-year-old followed up his four-goal outing against Peel with a comparably exciting performance. He demonstrated his impressive kicking ability by blasting a goal from outside 50 in the first quarter. For his second goal, he brilliantly snatched the ball out of an opponent’s hands, then shrugged off another before snapping the ball through on his right foot. The tenacious small forward also never gives up on a contest, providing repeat efforts when required.

#43 Lucas Andrews
Midfielder | 177cm | 29/09/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles

The West Perth midfielder provided much-needed support at the coalface for the valiant Blake Kelly. He showed he could escape from the front of the stoppages and affect forward entries. Andrews played with high intensity, running and carrying the ball when possible, while linking up with teammates via hand on the outside of stoppages.

FINALS WEEK 1 RESULTS

QF: East Fremantle 11.9 (75) def. Claremont 7.8 (50)
EF: West Perth 11.13 (79) def. Swan Districts 10.4 (64)

Eliminated: Swan Districts
Double Chance: South Fremantle, East Fremantle

FINALS WEEK 2 FIXTURE

South Fremantle vs. East Fremantle
Saturday September 2, 10:30am @ Fremantle Oval

Claremont vs. West Perth
Sunday September 7, 10:50am @ Claremont Oval