WESTERN Australia’s best and brightest junior prospects begun 2025 campaigns over the weekend as the WAFL Colts season got underway. East Perth and South Fremantle were among the teams to achieve a winning start, and we highlighted some of the top performers from either match.

Subiaco 6.7 (43) def. by East Perth 9.10 (64)

SUBIACO:

#3 Dwayne Ryder
Small Forward | 170cm | 05/07/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal

Lively, electric and high intensity are the best ways to describe Ryder’s performance in the Lion’s opening affair. The archetype small pressure forward improved as the game went on, working hard defensively across the 50m arc to ensure the Royals struggled as often as possible when rebounding. Finishing with 13 disposals and a goal is a modest stat-line for the impact Ryder made with his efforts across the game.

#12 Rydn Rae-Anthonysz
Defender | 181cm | 24/03/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 marks, 3 tackles

Flagged by his coach as one to watch with a move into the backline, Rae-Anthonysz consistently took on anyone who tried to tackle him with a great deal of success. Evading tackles looked all too easy for him, pairing this with glimpses of defensive prowess as an interceptor that we will surely see more of as he continues his time in defence. Responsible with kick-out duties, there is clear trust in his kicking and decision making. His game was highlighted by one play in the third quarter in which he intercepts an East Perth delivery, runs down the line and rebounds fast to generate a scoring opportunity for the Lions.

#17 Wesley Walley
Midfielder/Forward | 182cm | 29/11/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 7 marks, 5 inside 50s

Clearly the best prospect afield, Walley split his time between midfield, high half-forward, and deep forward, showing exciting traits in each role. His clean overhead marking was on display regularly in this affair, using his leap and read on the ball to take strong contested grabs in and around his forward 50. Composed with ball in hand anywhere across the ground, Walley looked completely unfazed by surrounding defenders. Walley’s ability to burst out the stoppage was seen less than a handful of times, though showed great promise for a future in the midfield. The primary chance creator for his side, Walley also had five shots of his own, though his two behinds and three kicks out on the full were extremely uncharacteristic comparative to the rest of his game.

EAST PERTH:

#3 Fletcher Brown
Midfielder | 184cm | 21/09/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 10 tackles, 1 goal

Bullish and classy seldom go hand in hand, but Brown’s performance as both an inside and outside midfielder showed his capability to win the hard balls as well as deliver pinpoint kicking to his forwards from the stoppage. A hot first quarter saw Brown tally eight of his 18 disposals for the day, highlighted by an incredible delivery inside 50 to assist his side’s second goal. Though his accumulation slowed down in the remaining three quarters, his impact as a strong tackling force remained, finishing with 10 tackles as well as a goal for a well-rounded display of potential.

#15 Garrison Kenh
Defender | 182cm | 19/04/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle

An Under 16 All-Australian in 2024, Kenh’s fourth ever WAFL game was an extreme improvement on his form in the back-end of last season. Racking up 21 disposals off half-back, Kenh provided regular outside support for his teammate’s to move the ball out of their defensive 50. Some loopy kicking in windy conditions improved as the game went on, as well as his ball winning abilities both aerially and along the ground. Kenh looked reminiscent of Tom Stewart from Geelong in his blend of defensive work, support for teammates and rebound by run and carry or kicking out of the back.

#24 Lachlan McGlade
Small Forward | 174cm | 06/10/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 5 goals

Death, taxes, and Lachlan McGlade running in behind to an open goal to increase the Royals’ lead in Round 1. As pure a crumbing forward performance as you could find, McGlade’s five goals stemmed primarily from a read on the ball in windy conditions that no one else could seem to match. Fast and agile, McGlade’s athleticism and footy IQ made it seem like Subiaco forgot to put a defender on him, as he regularly found time and space to win the ball on the ground and find the middle of the goals.

Perth 6.8 (44) def. by South Fremantle 12.4 (76)

PERTH:

#11 Koby Evans
Midfielder/Forward | 187cm | 09/08/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 2 goal

West Coast aligned Evans began the game in the centre, splitting his time in the stoppages and at half-forward. He showed elite athleticism with his blend of speed and agility, used regularly to win the ball and get away from would-be tacklers. Courageous in the marking contest, Evans was able to provide a marking option inside forward 50 as well as play a small crumbing forward role. His two goals showcased this forward versatility, the first a high tackle free kick just outside the goal square, the second a brave mark from a high ball inside 50, converting the set shot just inside the 50m arc directly in front.

As a midfielder, South Fremantle focused a lot of defensive attention on Evans, though he shook this tag with more ease as the game went on. An offensive threat at the stoppage, Evans showed composure to evade and dispose of the footy as well as relentless attack on the ball whenever the opportunity to win possession presented itself. One particular effort in the fourth quarter stood out, relentlessly knocking the ball up the ground, tackling any opposition who took possession, then continuing to knock the ball up the ground to gain 30m without once possessing the ball through pure speed and will power. This same effort was seldom seen defensively in the midfield or up forward, a potential area of improvement for Evans from an otherwise outstanding game.

#22 Seth Clark
Midfielder | 180cm | 21/07/2006

Stats: 27 disposals, 8 tackles, 9 inside 50s

The experienced head in midfield for the Demons, Clark started the game hot in the first quarter, finding plenty of the ball on both the inside and outside of stoppages. Classy pick-ups, candy sells and neat deliveries inside 50 were the highlights of Clark’s performance. The over-ager’s statline accurately tells the tale of a workhorse midfielder who can stop opposition attacks as often as he can create for his own side.

SOUTH FREMANTLE:

#5 Toby Whan
Midfielder | 184cm | 09/05/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s

Playing predominantly inside the stoppages, Whan displayed great promise as a contested bull in the midfield. Rarely allowed the time to break away or dangerously dispose of the footy, Whan was forced to move the ball by hand often, having 14 of his 22 disposals come by hand. His fitness stood up as the game went on, able to find more space in the midfield in the latter stages, showing glimpses of evasive ability, lethal kicking and dangerous run and carry. Whan never looked too flustered when in possession, always choosing the right option when disposing of the ball.

#31 Byron Foster
Ruck | 195cm | 05/06/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 39 hitouts, 4 inside 50s

Arguably best afield in this affair, the bottom-age ruck’s WAFL Colts debut will likely go down as one of his best. Finishing with 24 disposals and 39 hitouts, Foster was the epitome of the modern day ruck in this clash. Comfortably winning the hitout count, he was rarely beaten in the contest, either controlling the tap or preventing his opponent from doing the same. Strong presentation as an outside option for his mids, as well as a ball winner on the inside, Foster was everywhere. The most consistent performer from quarter to quarter, Foster moved around the ground well and displayed great endurance to continue to get to the next stoppage, compete in the air and then compete on the ground.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

In the clash between Peel Thunder and Claremont Tigers, over-ager Lukas Jakovich was the Thunder’s primary ball winner, finishing the day with 29 disposals. Basil Hart, a member of the 2023 U16 All-Australian side, kicked three of Peel’s seven goals as they fell 45 points short of the Tigers.

For Claremont, Carter Bryant saw the most of the ball, collecting 31 disposals and a goal in a standout display. Tall pair Benji Van Rooyen (brother of Melbourne’s Jacob) and Cody Curtin (brother of Adelaide’s Dan) dominated the stat sheet, the former finishing with 12 disposals and 37 hitouts, with potential top 10 pick Curtin nailing five goals.

A complete and dominant performance from Swan Districts over their rivals West Perth was reflected on the stat sheet, as Blake Kelly (31), Soren Feast (25) and Thomas Oliver (25) all finished in the top disposal getters. Forward Cooper Shord led the goals with four for the day, with summer state squad and West Coast academy member Tylah Williams also splitting the big sticks twice.

Cooper Bewick finished top of the charts for West Perth with 28 disposals and nine tackles, while Jacob Farrow (27 disposals, nine marks) and Sam Swadling (23 disposals) also putting up a strong fight as their side struggled to compete on the scoreboard.

Up the grades, Fred Rodriguez made his League debut for South Fremantle, finishing with six disposals and a goal in a side littered with young talent and ex-AFL players. Former Magpie Trey Ruscoe starred with three goals in this game.

22-year-old Riley Sprigg gave clubs eyeing tall reinforcements in the mid-season something to think about with his 23 disposals and 30 hitouts. Peel Thunder’s 18-year-old small Will York put his name in lights on League debut with 17 disposals, following Thunder alumni such as Bo Allan, Brady Hough and Isiah Winder in making a senior debut in their draft year.