SOUTH Fremantle midfielder Toby Whan filled his boots in a performance which defied belief over the weekend. The Fremantle Next Generation Academy (NGA) member booted four goals from 41 disposals as his side downed East Perth to the tune of 43 points in Round 18 of the WAFL Colts season.

Whan has been a consistent accumulator throughout the season, averaging 29.3 disposals across his nine appearances. Such form has warranted interest in how he might fare with a move up the grades. We put his latest breakout game under the Player Focus microscope this week.

>> SCROLL to see Whan’s Round 18 highlights

South Fremantle, Western AustraliaMidfielder

Toby Whan

Height: 183cm

Weight: -

DOB: 09-05-2007

STRENGTHS:
+ Accumulation
+ Consistency
+ Kicking technique
+ Running capacity

SEASON AVERAGES:

2025 AFL U18 National Championships (4 games)
15.0 disposals, 3.3 marks, 3.3 tackles, 2.5 clearances, 3.8 inside 50s

2025 WAFL Colts (9 games)
29.3 disposals, 3.2 marks, 3.4 tackles, 5.7 inside 50s, 1.1 goals

>> Preseason Q&A: Toby Whan (South Fremantle)

PLAYER FOCUS

2025 WAFL Colts Round 18
East Perth 5.7 (37) def. by South Fremantle 11.14 (80)

#5 Toby Whan (South Fremantle)
Stats: 41 disposals (23 kicks, 18 handballs), 2 marks, 2 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 4 goals

FIRST QUARTER:

Whan made an emphatic start, prising the first clean clearing kick of the day and booting the opening goal. The latter was an exceptional bit of skill hemmed deep in the pocket, where Whan gathered the loose ball before fending off an opponent and slotting the ball home with a checkside finish.

He did everything to cut in, wheel around, and baulk onto his left foot, proving intelligent enough to support teammates on his favoured side when overlapping. Whan’s penetrative and direct kicking led to South Fremantle’s second major, and he directly assisted the third with another booming punt.

He seemed to roam the ground freely without any opponent paying him too much attention – credit to his running capacity and high footy IQ. Whan also hit some sharp short passes on the move as everything he touched turned to gold across a prolific opening quarter. He was only just getting started.

SECOND QUARTER:

Whan continued on his merry way during the second quarter and worked into good spots as a stoppage sweeper. He would shift to the defensive side of contests, allowing him to either receive the ball out the back and see the play ahead of him, or demand the ball while running past teammates.

Whan’s ability to read the flow and fall of each contest aided his accumulation factor, with the South Fremantle standout holding his width to carve up the outside. He shifted gears when possession was there to be won, but cruised with ball in hand to take metres and assess his options.

THIRD QUARTER:

Whan’s inside game was tested at times, with the muddy conditions playing into his own speed, but forcing a few rushed possessions under pressure. He tended to dump the ball long at times, preferring to use the expanses to take time in possession and pick out an option forward of the ball.

The third was Whan’s most prolific in front of goal, as he notched another three majors – including two on the run. His best was saved for last, with the left-footer bouncing the heavy ball home from 60 metres after a previous effort where he carved through traffic to steady from around 40 out.

Whan was also reliable over the mark having slotted a 45-metre set shot after marking just inside the attacking arc. Further afield, he continued to help South Fremantle connect the lines with his penetrative kicking and seemed to be able to find the ball in every third of the ground.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Having kicked only their second goal on the three-quarter time siren, the Royals broke even with a further three majors in term four. For Whan, it meant a steady end to proceedings having dominated just about every minute beforehand. He continued to be an effective second possession winner, thriving when released into space.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

Whan garnered plenty of interest early in the season having put up big numbers at Colts level. He has proven by now to be a dominant player in the junior grade, so stepping up to senior level is what will truly elevate his draft stocks. Although, more games like this won’t hurt regardless of the level.

After a steady National Championships, there have been queries over Whan’s speed and whether his kicking is as effective as it is stylish. Having produced his best game to date, it is clear he can still work on his explosive speed, and that he performs best as an outside reciever.

Whan’s weapons are his running ability and penetrative ball use – the latter of which is somewhat smothered by being a primary ball winner. He moves intelligently as a secondary receiver at stoppages, where he can still take ground and have enough time to make damaging decisions.

Being tied to Fremantle via NGA status may subdue interest from other clubs, which essentially plays into the Dockers’ hands. Although, performances like his in Round 18 are unlikely to keep a lid on what he can become. The next challenge will be replicating that form in higher grades.