All winners in the West
Fremantle, West Coast, and the WA men's and women's sides all did the job
G’day people, what a bloody weekend for West Australian football.
West Coast ✅ Fremantle ✅ WA men ✅ WA women ✅
The WA U20 side were the only ones to miss out, but they lost to the WA U18s so what can you do?
In today’s newsletter: A Harley game for the ages, the other Reid is pretty good too, a mid-season draft chance steps up on the rep stage, WA’s girls dominate SA and some standouts from the U18 v U20 showcase.
Let’s get stuck in.
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WAALITJ MARAWAR
Eagles 13.10 (88) def Giants 10.11 (71)
Top-three Harley Reid game right here. A career-high 34 disposals, 10 clearances, 10 score involvements, 786m gained, 12 inside 50s, eight tackles and two goals. He plays his 50th game next week. What a remarkable young player. Andrew McQualter reckons he’s far from the finished product, saying post-game: “He’s got a long way to go still and that’s the exciting part for our fans and our club, that he’s got a lot of scope still to be a better player.”
With the benefit of hindsight, the Giants were ripe for the picking, but the Eagles coaching staff made sure of it by using Milan Murdock and Brady Hough to tag Lachie Whitfield and Finn Callaghan respectively. GWS don’t have a huge amount of players driving the ball forward at the moment, and without those two they struggled.
Harley was a clear best on ground, but Bailey Williams wasn’t too far behind him. Used his athleticism to punish his opposite ruck with 41 hit-outs and seven clearances. Still needs another good ruck alongside him longer-term, but he’s coming into his own.
WALYALUP
Dockers 16.8 (104) def Bombers 8.13 (61)
It was obviously a day for the Reids. A few hours before Harley did the damage at Optus Stadium, it was Murphy Reid running rings around Essendon at the MCG. He also had a career-high 30 disposals, seven score involvements and seven inside-50s. It was an up-and-down day for the Dockers but Reid was probably their most consistent and damaging player.
Hopefully this is the game that helps Patrick Voss to get his mojo back. He’s been a step off the pace since the Melbourne game but found his spark to kick five goals, including four in a quarter. Has an important role to play in the back end of the season.
That’s an equal club-record nine wins in a row for Justin Longmuir’s men. A chance to break the record this Friday against the last coach to lead them to nine straight, Ross Lyon. Set your clock (unless you’d rather be watching Richmond v Essendon on the same night, in which case may God have mercy on your soul).
WA MEN
Western Australia 14.14 (98) def South Australia 9.8 (62)
Two on the trot now for the WAFL representative team against the Croweaters. There were winners all over the park for the Sandgropers, but it was Claremont gun Callan England who added a Simpson Medal to his Sandover with 32 disposals, nine clearances and five inside-50s.
Kane Bevan was tipped to use his State debut to improve his mid-season draft chances and he did exactly that. He had 24 touches, eight clearances, six tackles, five inside-50s and a goal in a seriously impressive performance. Has grown each season and deserves a shot at the elite level.
His West Perth teammate Joey Hinder caught the eye with three goals and some serious pace too. It gives you hope the Falcons aren’t far off despite some early struggles.
Big advocate here for leaving this fixture at a WAFL ground rather than at an AFL venue as a curtain-raiser. Atmosphere was great and it can continue to build in years to come.
WA WOMEN
Western Australia 15.9 (99) to South Australia 1.1 (7)
Missed the start of this one and had to double-check the scoreboard. As dominant as you can get against an SA side which beat Victoria earlier this season. West is best. Their only goal came quite late, too.
The WAFLW’s GOAT kept doing GOAT things. Jayme Harken added a Lou Knitter Medal to the trophy cabinet. She polled maximum votes on the back of 30 disposals and eight tackles, and dug in all game.
Jaime Henry’s dominant season translated to the rep game. She had a game-high 34 touches and 12 tackles. What a bloody season.
I was impressed with Henry’s Swan Districts teammate Lauren Quaife in the ruck. Has been great for Swans for a while now, looks ready to make a leap.
TALENT
WA U18s 13.6 (84) def WA U20s 12.6 (78)
Cracking game of footy, this one. If you have the time, do yourself a favour.
Tasmanian target Axel Walsh played some of his best footy since returning from injury, particularly in the first half. He was at it again with his defensive work, which is genuinely one of the most impressive parts of the young ruck’s game.
Swan Districts young gun Leo Steed continues to grow his reputation and was arguably the best player on the ground. He’s one of a crop of young midfielders who have been performing at a better-than-expected level this season. Steed and Lucas Robinson have both been excellent at league level, and George Gale has dominated across the State trials, colts and PSA.
Really pleased to see Cam Maynard having an impact this season. The South Freo forward has some elite traits, and he’s clearly doing the work to help him perform more consistently.
SCHOOL FOOTY
Scotch College flexed against Wesley College without their best player George Gale, who was off dominating for WA’s U18s. Scotch went into half-time trailing by 36 points, and finished 13-point winners. Looking really good early in the season.
Aquinas College keep rolling on under coach Will Schofield, they saw off Trinity 88-48.
Hale School are the last piece of the puzzle when looking at the contenders this season. They travelled to Christ Church and returned with a 21-point win.
That’s us all caught up.
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Catch you next week.
great read, thanks 🙏