SUBIACO’S five-point loss to West Perth has handed Claremont the WAFL Colts minor premiership without the Tigers turning out in Round 20, while also costing the Lions second spot in one fell swoop. Dour conditions swept across the competition in what was the penultimate home-and-away round.

Perth was also among the winners over the weekend, with the Demons securing a finals berth on the back of their 17-point victory over South Fremantle. We took note of how WA’s state Under 18 representatives performed, along with a few other standouts, before taking a look around the grounds.

Perth 10.9 (69) def. South Fremantle 8.4 (52)

By: Denholm Melrose

PERTH:

#33 Koby Evans
Forward | 187cm | 08/09/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

Evans was impressive in the wet conditions, displaying excellent hands overhead. He was used as the link-up player across half-forward and moved well despite his big frame, taking multiple contested and lead up marks. He was strong through the contest, demonstrating great core strength when tackled and often shrugging off opponents by swinging his hips to make space and get his hands away. Evans was composed in possession, taking the extra step necessary to hit his targets in what was a manic game in slippery conditions.

#45 Loch Mactaggart
Defender | 184cm | 27/08/2006

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle

Mactaggart did not play the creating, run and carry role that he usually does off half-back, rather he was a lock down defender on Saturday. He was solid defensively, fighting and scrapping to keep his opponent from getting the football. Mactaggart read the ball well in the air, taking two timely intercept marks during the second quarter as the Bulldogs were repeatedly kicking inside 50. His disposal by foot was impressive and accurate, hitting targets through the middle of the ground.

Others:

Cooper Clark was the dominant forward in the first half, leading up and marking inside 50 on multiple occasions. He kicked four goals for the day as the main target for Perth. Robert Warrell was as dangerous as ever forward of the ball for the Demons, ending the day with three majors.

He showed clean, sticky hands despite the rain, reeling in two tough contested marks for back-to-back goals in the third term. Cooper Moore was the standout midfielder for Perth, racking up 25 disposals and laying 7 tackles in what was a big day for the 18-year-old prospect.

SOUTH FREMANTLE:

#5 Toby Whan
Midfielder | 180cm | 09/05/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

State representative, Whan started slowly on Saturday but did not let that dictate his day. He was by far the best player on the ground in the second quarter, biting off ambitious kicks and darting the football to teammates with precision. He provided excellent run and spread across the ground, creating attacking movement for the Bulldogs. Whan played smart football in the tricky conditions, able to hold onto the ball in traffic and evade opposition midfielders. In the second quarter he collected the ball on the 50m arc, stepped around a defender and kicked a superb goal.

#7 Fred Rodriguez
Midfielder | 185cm | 10/07/2007

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 tackles

It wasn’t Rodriguez’s day against Perth as he struggled to find the football to his usual capabilities. He battled hard as an inside midfielder, defending aggressively and at times showed a skilled ability to extract the ball from contests. He was ferocious with his attack on the ball but was unable to turn that into meaningful possessions.

#9 Jaxon Artemis
Wing | 180cm | 24/08/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

Artemis patrolled the wing all day and was the standout player in the opening quarter. He was ultra clean by hand and provided terrific link-up play as well as spread from contests for South Fremantle. He faded out of the game as it went on but when he did find the football, he was calm and composed. Artemis was rewarded for his opening quarter dominance with a set shot from 30m out which he converted.

#28 Tom Bell
Key Defender | 195cm | 06/10/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 13 kicks, 6 marks

Bell was superb defensively for the Bulldogs, exhibiting excellent body work one-on-one and refusing to be beaten in the air. He put on a show with his overhead marking, taking six impressive grabs in an aerial masterclass. Bell let himself down by foot though, making multiple poor decisions and turning it over in front of goal on several occasions. Unfortunately, his day was done halfway through the third quarter when an opponent attempting to smother fell on Bell’s leg. He was helped from the field by trainers, unable to bare weight, and was quickly given crutches and ruled out.

Others:

Nic Davidson (16 disposals, 28 hitouts, seven inside 50s) was utterly dominant, comprehensively winning the ruck battle and providing handy spread across the ground. The Bulldogs were not afraid to get the ball in the 197cm prospect’s hands and despite the slippery conditions, he showed composure with his ball use. Midfielder Orlando Keleman also battled hard on the inside to finish with 17 disposals.

West Perth 5.8 (38) def. Subiaco 5.3 (33)

By: Denholm Melrose

WEST PERTH:

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 12 kicks, 4 marks

In conditions better suited to Olympic swimmers, it was a gutsy display of rebounding football from West Australian state representative, Hiscock. Despite the pouring rain and puddles of mud, he stood out with his cleanliness at ground level and made several impressive efforts storming out of defensive 50, breaking tackles and willing the football forward for the Falcons. Defensively, Hiscock demonstrated his ability to perform strong body spoils and was not rarely one on one. He positioned himself well to take intercept marks and took the game on at every opportunity.

Others:

Sam Swadling (27 disposals, five marks, seven inside 50s, one goal) backed up a fantastic outing last weekend with another superb performance against Subiaco. He was noticeably tidy with his skills, with multiple one touch pickups off the slippery ground and hit several targets inside 50. Jayden Rigoll (26 disposals, six tackles, four inside 50s) found plenty of the ball and was composed in the torrential downpour.

SUBIACO:

#1 Charlie Burke
Wing | 183cm | 11/04/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s

It was a difficult day for outside runners, but Burke scrapped and fought all night and was rewarded with 19 hard-earned disposals. He was classy when he had the football, making it seem like a dry day, spinning away from the opposition and charging through traffic. His effort could not be faulted in the narrow defeat as he relentlessly chased and clawed for the Lions. Although Burke did not trouble the scorers, he was dangerous streaming towards goal from contests on several occasions.

Others:

Max Brooks (14 disposals, 4 tackles) used the ball intelligently in the heavy rain and defended hard through the midfield for Subiaco, while the Lions dominated the ruck battle thanks to Finley Henderson (16 disposals, 31 hit-outs, 5 marks) and Tore? Nelson (12 disposals, 20 hit-outs). Toby Jones admirably laid 15 tackles to go with his 12 disposals.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

By: Michael Alvaro

Swan Districts made it two wins on the trot heading into the final round of the season after defeating Peel Thunder by 27 points in Mandurah. The Thunder kept touch with the Swans with two goals apiece in the opening quarter, but only managed one more goal thereafter in the 7.9 (51) to 3.6 (24) loss.

Otis Harvey, Chayse Martinson, and Tylah Williams all bagged doubles for the victorious Swans, while Luke Cotellessa led the way with 19 disposals. Peel’s Jaden Funazzi was the only player to have over 20 touches, while ruck Tye Kemp amassed seven tackles and 18 hitouts and Deian Roberts was prominent.

The Swans are now locked into fourth spot, unable to move any higher or lower, with a clash against fifth-placed Perth to come in Round 21. Peel will look to avoid the wooden spoon next week in a bottom-of-the-table fixture against East Perth. Currently, the sides are separated by a sizeable percentage gap.

Despite missing out on finals this year, East Fremantle finished its season on a high by beating East Perth to the tune of 25 points. The Sharks snuck ahead at half time and kicked away thereafter to win 11.8 (74) to 7.7 (49) at Leederville Oval, ensuring the Royals remain planted to bottom spot.

Owen Cushing and Jaxon Graham were economical with three goals each for either side, as East Freo’s Elijah Stockden booted two from a team-high 29 touches. Meanwhile, East Perth over-ager Adam De Masi valiantly led all comers with 33 disposals, six marks and nine tackles in the losing side.

Claremont enjoyed the bye this week, but had its minor premiership confirmed by the results. The Tigers will take on Subiaco on the road in Round 20, while West Perth travels to face South Fremantle with eyes on holding onto second spot. Swan Districts also hosts Perth on Saturday before East Perth locks horns with Peel on Sunday.

Up the grades, West Perth ruck-forward Kayle Gerreyn made his League debut in a 16-point win over Subiaco on the Falcons’ home patch. The 199cm prospect, who had been dominating at Colts level, posted six disposals, three tackles and eight hitouts for the eight-placed outfit.

In the same game, diminutive Subiaco forward Malakai Champion managed seven touches but was kept goalless for the first time in four senior appearances. Claremont’s Hamish Davis (12 disposals) was another state representative to turn out in the top flight, as his Tigers thumped West Coast in dire conditions.

Peel Thunder also had a pair of Colts continue their senior runs. State Under 18 skipper Bo Allan (10 disposals, three marks) and WA draft combine invitee Joel Brown (six disposals, two marks) featured in the Thunder’s 31-point victory over Swan Districts, which took them one step closer to the minor premiership.