Koen Sanchez<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nPlaying his first game since Round 1, Sanchez made a successful return, looking lively and showing no problems finding the football, as he picked up 29 disposals and four marks. The 18-year-old showed good poise with ball in hand, often taking the extra second to assess his options and not rush his disposal. While his overall impact on the game was not as high as some others, it was still a very impressive return from Sanchez who shapes as one of Western Australia\u2019s more important players at the upcoming Under 18 state carnival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00ad#16 James Spadanuda<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAveraging 34.5 disposals coming into the game, Spadanuda continued his prolific ball winning ways, racking up a game-high 32 disposals to go with six marks and four tackles. Like any accumulator, the 18-year-old just has that innate ability to find the ball, with his work rate to get himself in the vision of a teammate and get a handball receive particularly noticeable. After winning several contested possessions early in the contest, he managed to find more space in the second half and began to carve up the Falcons with hard running and incisive ball use. Having been an unlucky omission as in the recently announced Under 18s squad, Spadanuda is putting together a compelling case to be a late inclusion to the squad should they elect for another over-age player. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
#22 Samuel Otto<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nPlying his trade as an undersized ruckman, Otto was one of the most influential players on the ground, as he gathered up 25 disposals, 13 hitouts and eight marks. While he lost the hitout battle, his excellent mobility saw him spread from stoppages extremely well and get involved in transition play. His ball use was also adept, as he often switched the play or looked lateral to change the angle of attack. Having featured in both attack and defence last season, Otto\u2019s success as a makeshift ruck franks him as one of the competition\u2019s most versatile players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nKoen Sanchez looks to take the game on | Image Credit: Pixell Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWEST PERTH:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n#7 Alex Campbell<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe wet and slippery conditions at the WACA played into the strengths of Campbell, who relished the contested nature of the clash, getting his hands dirty at the coalface to lay a whopping 15 tackles. The 17-year-old played an accountable role and while he would have liked to win more clean football for himself, his willingness to compete and produce second efforts and pressure acts around the ball was outstanding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
#24 Matt Galjaardt<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe strongly built Galjaardt was an effective player for the Falcons in tough conditions, making his presence felt across half-forward with some solid tackles, and hitting the scoreboard with two goals from limited opportunities. The 18-year-old was able to outpoint his direct opponent on a few occasions and set up some forward thrusts for his side. When his chance came in front of goal, Galjaardt was efficient, booting two final term majors, including one lovely finish from distance to cap off a strong display. He finished 20 disposals, six marks and two goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#25 Callum Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe 2004-born key defender has been one of the Falcons strongest contributors this season and he was again amongst their best against East Fremantle, registering 23 disposals. Playing as the general down back, Smith provided a level of steel to the defensive unit, taking several impressive intercept marks to help Falcons cope with a barrage of East Fremantle forward entries. Smith was also tasked with kick-outs and was sure with ball in hand, electing to hit the spare option laterally or gain meterage by kicking long.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AROUND THE GROUNDS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Subiaco made it two wins on the trot in Sunday’s third and final fixture, downing South Fremantle by 44 points at Leederville Oval. The Lions, now fourth, led at every break and kept the Bulldogs to just two behinds in the second half to run out 11.13 (79) to 5.5 (35) victors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The likes of Lachlan Macrae<\/strong> (25 disposals, 13 tackles) and Riley Wills<\/strong> (23 disposals, eight tackles) got their hands dirty and snared a goal each for Subiaco, while Koopa Walsh<\/strong> (three goals), Lance Collard<\/strong> and Malakai Champion<\/strong> (both two) all booted multiple majors.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor the Bulldogs, Edward Graham<\/strong> kicked two goals from 20 touches and six marks, while state Under 18 squad members Jacob Whan<\/strong> (30 disposals, six marks) and Ashton Ferreira<\/strong> (22 disposals, eight tackles) put up strong numbers in the defeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn Sunday’s standalone game at Lane Group Stadium, Peel returned to the winners list after defeating Swan Districts by 18 points. The Thunder were inaccurate in front of goal, but five unanswered majors in the third quarter saw the reigning premiers get over the line, 8.15 (63) to 6.9 (45).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the result, the game’s top three accumulates were wearing black and white. State squad inclusion Luke Kelly<\/strong> racked up 34 touches, trailed closely by bottom-ager Thomas Catchcart<\/strong> (33) and Jack Saunders<\/strong> (27). Chayse Martinson<\/strong> and Lewis Zolnier-Owens<\/strong> kicked two goals apiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor the victors, skipper Clay Hall<\/strong> returned to the level with 22 disposals and a goal, but Reece Torrent<\/strong> stood out for his 26 touches and two six-pointers. State academy ruck Mitchell Edwards<\/strong> also continued his strong form to post 17 disposals, seven marks and 47 hitouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n>> Up the Grades<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Koen-Sanchez-East-Fremantle-2023-WAFL-Colts-1024x683.jpeg\")