FRESH off making the Under 16 All-Australian side last month, Fremantle Next-Generation Academy (NGA) Aiden Martignago earned his Colts debut for East Fremantle on Saturday. Martignago represented Western Australia in the Under 16 Championships earlier this year and his debut arose as a late inclusion to the side.

The creative ball-winner played as a forward/midfielder alongside his older brother Lincoln, amassing 37 disposals and 3 goals in his side’s thumping 118–point win over the Swan Districts.

We put his performance under the Player Focus microscope.

2026 WAFL Colts: Round 20
East Fremantle 20.13 (133) def. Swan Districts 2.3 (15)

#19 Aiden Martignago (East Fremantle)
Stats: 37 disposals, 9 marks, 6 inside 50s, 5 tackles, 3 goals

FIRST QUARTER:

Starting at half-forward, Martignago was productive from the outset. He found the footy 11 times in the opening term and demonstrated a consistent ability to lower his vision and execute passes to leading teammates.

He showed a great capability to hold his space on the outside nicely, often providing his teammates with an outlet when needed. He capped off a dominant quarter with a goal on-the-run, where he received it inside 50 in space and steadied before converting.

There was a moment where perhaps Martignago was a little bit too unselfish, trying to hit up a teammate when the pass wasn’t entirely on. The kick was skewed, but his follow-up work was excellent as he earned the ball back and dished it off to his brother who was able to nail the goal.

SECOND QUARTER:

Martignago’s creativity with the ball in-hand continued to shine. Whether it was his vision to find teammates in better positions inside 50, or his cleanliness by hand – Martignago displayed a strong intent to be as damaging as he could be.

He slotted his second goal from a deliberate rushed behind, but it was a goal assist late in the half that was particularly eye-catching. Martignago laid a smother, won the ball and flicked through a handball under pressure to put his teammate through on goal.

THIRD QUARTER:

Martignago picked up where he left off in the first half, as the disposals continued to grow in the third term. A noticeable adjustment was his switch into the midfield, particularly as a centre-bounce player which fuelled his ball-winning prowess.

While it was Martignago’s kicking and inventiveness that was prominent in the first half, it was his ground level craft and slick hands in the third quarter that stood out. On multiple occasions, he was able to collect tricky deliveries with one grab and instantly find a teammate by hand. This was a feature at clearances, in link-up play and around the ground.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Martignago ended the day how it started it, with 11 disposals. He split his time forward and midfield and was always in the action around clearances and around the ground.

What put the cherry on top of a massive day for the young gun was a brilliant stoppage goal, where it was palmed down to him in space before snapping truly in one clean motion. The goal highlighted Martignago’s stoppage craft to identify the dangerous space and get separation on his opponent before kicking truly.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

The Under 16 All-Australian grabbed his Colts opportunity with both hands, starring in his side’s dominant win. He was the leading possession getter on the ground and was a force on the inside and outside.

It was clear that the Districts struggled to go with Martignago, as the forward/midfielder found himself in damaging forward half positions throughout the game. To come in as a late inclusion and enjoy a 37-disposal, three-goal game is a testament to the skill and work ethic of the up-and-coming star.