G’day friends! In case you haven’t figured it out by the subject line, WA’s leading draft prospect had himself a very nice afternoon in his first senior WAFL final.
More on that soon.
The AFL’s wildcard weekend proved a hit. Not sure it will ever convert the non-believers, but if we all agreed on everything, life would be pretty boring.
Now we gear up for Fremantle on Thursday night.
In this newsletter: AFLW woes continue for WA sides, Mellody makes a mark, Hammer inspires the Royals and West Perth start colts finals in style.
Let’s get stuck in.
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AFLW
Wharfie Time reared its head for the first time in the AFLW, but it came a bit late to have any real impact. The Dockers went toe-to-toe with the unbeaten Carlton all day and looked a chance when Gabby O’Sullivan sunk one late, but went down by six points.
Arguments about the best ruck in the competition should stop at Mim Strom. Others may be better pure rucks, but she had the third-highest clearance average in the competition last year and has continued that form through. Again on the weekend she had a goal from 16 disposals, eight clearances and 27 hit-outs. She is the heart of this Dockers outfit.
Teething problems continue with integrating gun forward recruit Eden Zanker. She missed a lot of the pre-season so there’s still time. But she’s only kicked goals in one of three games.
West Coast’s season couldn’t have started any worse - 0-3 with an unbeaten Melbourne to come next week. In fairness, they were pretty good in theirir loss to Adelaide on the weekend, apart from the second term where they conceded six goals.
This was Ella Roberts’ best game so far this season. She had 27, eight clearances and eight tackles. They’ll need some big efforts from here if they are going to turn the season around.
WAFL
He was highly touted coming into this season. He showed his class at the U18 champs. Now Heath Mellody is proving he could step straight into an AFL side next year. The teenage Tiger was one of Claremont’s best in their finals win over Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium. He finished with 23 disposals, four clearances and one very nice snapped goal in heavy congestion. If you had told me he’d be starting in the middle in a league final six months ago I wouldn’t have believed you, but he’s not just getting a crack, he’s helping reignite a Claremont side that had lost some steam. As good a prospect we’ve had since Luke Jackson in 2019.
With the win, the Tigers face Peel next week for a chance to head straight into the grand final.
Hamish Brayshaw has shaken off the rust left from his hamstring injury and inspired East Perth to an elimination final win over Perth. The skipper racked up 26 disposals and owned the stoppages with partner in crime Liam Tedesco as the Royals held on for a thrilling five-point win.
They play Perth next week in another do-or-die final.
And could this be the week they hit they Axel Walsh button? After his huge ressies debut last week, he backed it up with 3.4, 18 disposals and 21 hit-outs in the Royal ressies’ finals win over Perth.
WAFL COLTS
Told you the Falcons colts were good. They move on in the finals, beating Subiaco on the back of four second-half goals from our man Harvey Spawton-Guy. The key forward kicked them from all angles, continuing his league form. Will be a problem for South Fremantle next week.
Defender Tadhg Barrowclough caught the eye again. He’s had an incredible season for West Perth, gets big numbers for a KPP and takes the game on.
Here come colts finals Claremont. Harper Banfield was back and best on with 28 disposals and a goal. The Tigers beat the Bulldogs by eight points.
After a few quiet weeks, finals lit a fuse under Cam Maynard, who was back to his best with two goals, seven tackles and 13 touches for the Dogs.
That’s us all caught up.
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Catch you next week.
Today’s discussion topic: Mim Strom & Emma O’Driscoll are the best footballers in their families, relative to their competitions.