FREMANTLE is seldom short of Next Generation Academy (NGA) talent, and Finlay Yeo is pushing to be next on the production line. The East Fremantle forward is a renowned highlight machine, known for his ability to take a hanger or kick miraculous goals.

On Thursday, he helped the Sharks open their WAFL Colts campaign with a 49-point road win over Peel Thunder. His 24 disposals were the most of any Shark, and marked a new personal-best at the level. We put Yeo’s performance under the Player Focus microscope.

>> Scouting Notes: West Perth vs. Claremont

East FremantleSmall Forward

Finlay Yeo

Height: 172cm

Weight: -

DOB: 01-04-2008

STRENGTHS:

+ Agility
+ Ground balls
+ Smarts
+ Tackle pressure
+ X-Factor

IMPROVEMENTS:

– Contested work
– Size

SEASON AVERAGES:

2025 WAFL Colts (18 games):
10.5 disposals | 2.6 marks | 2.4 tackles | 0.5 goals (9 total)

PLAYER FOCUS

2026 WAFL Colts: Round 1
Peel Thunder 5.11 (41) def. by East Fremantle 13.12 (90)

#1 Finlay Yeo (East Fremantle)
Stats: 24 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 11 inside 50s, 1 behind

FIRST QUARTER:

Yeo started the game up on a wing and it was fitting as he tended to hold his width well. Although, one instance saw him fold in on the centre bounce to pounce on a loose ball and step into traffic. He was caught on that occasion, but applied terrific pressure of his own to force Peel errors.

The diminutive prospect otherwise hung on the edge of the contest and waited to receive on the outside, roaming up and down the line to help his side connect. He was active at ground level and worked up the ground when eventually shifted forward, utilising his sharp kicking on either foot.

SECOND QUARTER:

Yeo began a permanent move forward in term two but continued to roam freely up the ground. His willingness to move the play on quickly was aided by sharp skills, both to handle the ball and then to execute his passes. Yeo’s constant movement also made him difficult to track defensively.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the top-ager’s second quarter was his goal assist for Reid Foot. He showed great smarts to stay down and crumb over the back of a contest, before cutting inboard and finding Foot with a dart of a kick. It was a case of great decision making and class in full flight.

His pressure and ground level game continued to be prominent, turning provider on several occasions as East Freo transitioned from end to end. When pressured or unable to collect cleanly, Yeo had the presence of mind to paddle the ball out in front and keep surging forward.

THIRD QUARTER:

Yeo had his fingerprints all over the third term action, particularly the opening exchanges. He was involved in five consecutive scores during the first 10 minutes, including a behind of his own and one goal assist. If not for the Sharks’ inaccurate finishing, it could have sparked a blowout.

Standing at just 172cm, Yeo produced a sensational effort to bring the ball to ground in a one-on-two aerial contest, landing on his feet and recovering the pill before wheeling onto a right-foot snap. The shot went wide, but that passage gave a glimpse into his sheer X-factor.

Yeo otherwise applied pressure out the gate and made excellent decisions when using the ball inside 50. He quickly identified targets and made good on them with sharp entry kicks, while continuing to bring the ball up from ground level to release teammates. It was 25 minutes full of class and skill.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Having started on the wing and spent the next two quarters up forward, Yeo was unleashed into the centre bounces. He attended the first three of term four and got on the end of a big fist from his ruckman, accelerating out the centre before steadying to hit a teammate inside 50.

His clean and quick handling at ground level made him one of the most effective players in those tight scrambles, showing few signs of Round 1 rust. With more score involvements and such polished work heading forward, Yeo ended the game as arguably best on ground.