SUBIACO and Swan Districts bagged wins in week one of the WAFL Colts finals series, meaning West Perth will be forced to lean on its double-chance while Perth has been eliminated. We took note of the top performers and state representative stars in action across both games, before a look up the grades.

Swan Districts 8.15 (63) def. Perth 9.7 (61)

SWAN DISTRICTS:

#3 Blake Kelly
Midfielder | 180cm | 03/01/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s

In a hot contest all morning, Kelly was calm and composed in the thick of it at the coalface. He demonstrated his strength, standing up in multiple tackles and keeping the ball secure until he could distribute. He was able to prise clearances all game for the Black Ducks and displayed speed bursting away from stoppages as well. Kelly was clean with ball in hand and remained the necessary calm presence Swan Districts needed when the game was on the line.

#4 Otis Harvey
Midfielder/Forward | 182cm | 17/01/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Harvey’s day started slowly with just two disposals to half time, but he was able to flip a switch during the break and become a big part of the reason Swan Districts came out victorious. He hit targets with ball in hand and late in the final term kicked a superb goal, weaving his way through a busy stoppage to reclaim the lead.

#7 Evan Smith
Ruck/Forward | 201cm | 11/08/2005

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 30 hitouts

Another who had to work his way into the game, Smith finished with something to prove. He demonstrated his clean and creative hands at ground level with his follow-up work after ruck contests. He took two enormous pack marks in an outstanding final quarter when the game could have gone either way, standing up and taking his moment to help advance Swan Districts to another week of finals football.

#17 Colby McDonald
Key Forward/Ruck | 191cm | 18/01/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 15 hit-outs, 7 marks, 3 goals

This was a dominant performance for West Australian state representative, McDonald. From the outset he was aggressive, crashing packs and flying for contested marks. He asserted himself physically against his opponents to set the tone for the day, and was rewarded for his aerial efforts with three important goals. McDonald was solid when chopping out in the ruck, battling hard and providing hitouts to advantage for his midfielders. He stepped up in multiple final quarter moments including an intercept mark inside his defensive 50, and a skilful flash where he showed off his agility, shrugging off two would-be tacklers before launching the ball forward.

Others:

Key defensive duo Thomas Cathcart (10 disposals, seven marks) and Zaid Buckland (eight disposals, three marks) were steadfast in their roles respectively, intercepting plenty of Perth’s entries inside 50 and providing important courage behind the ball. 2022 state Under 16 MVP Chayse Martinson (13 disposals, five tackles, one goal) was lively up forward and got into good sports all day, and fellow Under 16 All Australian Anthony Hansen bobbed up for a late third quarter goal to with his nine disposals.

PERTH:

#33 Koby Evans
Forward | 186cm | 08/09/2007

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles

Evans was the link man for the Demons and showcased his ability to pick off 45-degree kicks in transition. He presented well all morning, displaying composure under pressure with clean hands and accurate kicking. He was the physical tone-setter for Perth and though he may have toed the line at times, it was an important role that he executed well.

#43 Taj Stanley
Forward | 178cm | 31/10/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 10 marks, 3 goals

Clearly the dominant player on the ground for Perth, Stanley’s opening quarter was something to be marvelled at, as he racked up eight disposals, seven marks and a goal in the first term. Though the rest of his day was quieter, he was still Impactful as he utilised his strength and power to out-body opponents and create space to present into. He provided a great option in transition for the Demons, playing in front and constantly moving to remain dangerous inside 50. His goal to open the final quarter was imperative in keeping the Demons in the game.

#45 Loch Mactaggart
Defender | 183cm | 27/08/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles

Under 18s state representative, Mactaggart was once again tasked with a lockdown role and impressed with his tenacity and defensive smarts. He remained composed throughout the day and positioned himself well to take multiple intercept marks. He was directive with both his voice and play behind the ball.

Others:

Livewire forward Robert Warrell (nine disposals, four marks, one goal) was once again dangerous inside 50 for the Demons, whilst midfielder Cooper Moore was his regular prolific self with 18 disposals and five marks. Brodie McLean battled hard with 19 touches and 12 tackles, and William Tibbey impressed with 16 disposals and nine marks.

West Perth 8.8 (56) def. by Subiaco 11.15 (81)

WEST PERTH:

#3 Kayle Gerreyn
Ruck/Forward | 199cm | 10/05/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 28 hitouts, 7 marks, 2 goals

As is becoming a regular theme, Gerreyn was clearly the best player afield for the Falcons, despite the losing performance. He used his huge frame to advantage in the ruck, where he spent most of Sunday’s game, to move his opposition ruckmen off balance and win hitouts to advantage. Once again though, it was aerially where Gerreyn put on a masterclass, taking contested marks with ease and even drifting back at times to intercept behind the play. He was involved in everything, including across the ground in transition, and was rewarded for his efforts with two goals. Gerreyn has star talent and his last few weeks in the League side only seem to have furthered the gap between his abilities and this level of football.

#14 Trent Hiscock
Defender | 190cm | 23/03/2006

Stats: 7 disposals, 7 kicks, 5 marks

Hiscock was not as involved offensively as usual on Sunday, but defensively he was as solid as could be. The state representative defended intelligently, taking tackles when needed and displaying high IQ body spoils. He reeled in multiple intercept marks, two of which saw him go back with the flight courageously for in the final term.

Others:

Midfielder Jayden Rigoll collected 19 disposals and laid five tackles, while Jack Wooden battled hard for his 13 disposals and four tackles. Bottom-ager Judd Marcello (nine disposals, four inside 50s, one goal) was inaccurate on goal but showed plentym including an outstanding one-handed mark one on one against his opponent.

SUBIACO:

#1 Charlie Burke
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 11/04/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 9 inside 50s, 1 goal

The epitome of everything a captain should be, Subiaco’s skipper was phenomenal on Sunday, spurring his side to victory in the first week of the finals. Burke was everywhere at stoppages, winning clearances and bursting away to deliver the ball inside 50. He asserted himself physically and took tackles when he needed to. He stamped his authority on the game just before half time with an outstanding goal from a centre bounce, exploding towards 50 and converting on the run to give the Lions the momentum going into the main break.

#3 Malakai Champion
Forward/Midfielder | 183cm | 11/04/2006

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles

It was an ‘almost’ day for Champion, who spent a lot more time as an inside midfielder for the Lions. He competed in the air and showed off his speed with his hunt and chase defensively. Champion burst away from centre bounces on multiple occasions, exciting the fans and he bobbed up in great spots inside 50. In what could have made it a fantastic outing for the League level returnee, Champion bobbed up to kick three behinds in a five-minute spell during the final quarter.

#5 Hayden Windsor
Forward/Ruck | 192cm | 06/02/2006

Stats: 7 disposals, 6 hitouts, 1 goal

Though he didn’t stuff the stats sheet, Windsor played an impressive game on Sunday. His moments were impactful and he provided an important chop-out in the ruck in a big ask against Gerreyn. Windsor always competes well in the ruck despite the size disadvantage, utilising his vertical leap and smarts. Windsor was dangerous up forward all morning, getting into great positions to crumb off of packs, and ended with a well-deserved goal for his efforts.

Others:

Kieren Douglas was converted from his usual defensive post to a forward role and looked comfortable and active, kicking two first half goals. Key forward Finley Henderson could not be deterred by the Falcons defenders on his way to three goals from six scoring shots and six marks. Main ruckman Frazer Rickson (nine disposals, 32 hitouts) battled hard in a tough matchup to win the hitout battle. Toby Jones (19 disposals, three marks, six tackles) and Thomas Macgillivray (14 disposals, eight tackles, four inside 50s) were vital cogs for the victorious Lions.

COLTS FINALS WEEK TWO FIXTURE

West Perth vs. Swan Districts
Saturday September 7, 9:10am @ Sullivan Logistics Stadium

Claremont vs. Subiaco
Sunday September 8, 8:50am @ Lane Group Stadium

UP THE GRADES

With the likes of Gerreyn and Champion trickling back down into the Colts finals series, and Peel Thunder going in without Bo Allan, Claremont ace Hamish Davis was the only Under 18 state representative to keep his spot at League level for week one of finals.

The tall utility, who has mostly cut his teeth up forward, starred with a game-high four goals from 21 disposals and four marks as the Tigers beat East Fremantle by 24 points on Sunday. He could go head-to-head with Allan in week two, as Peel takes on Claremont.

Our scouts said:
On Hamish Davis…

“Making the leap from Colts to senior level is one thing, playing well in the top flight is another. Last week Davis stamped himself as a genuine league level talent at just 18 years of age, and it was difficult to imagine him going a step further, yet on Sunday he continued his superb run of form. He was the most dangerous forward on the ground for either side, registering six shots on goal. The 190cm utility kicked them off the deck, around his body, and from set shots after marks inside 50. He booted goals in each of the final three quarters for four overall and was involved right throughout the game, looking exciting and creative whenever he was around the football. The ability for an 18-year-old to step up and be one of the best players on the ground in a WAFL League final cannot be understated. This was a statement game.”