Not quite good enough to finish the job
Plus the young Docker's changing role, U18 wrap-ups and Souths sign a legit W star.
G’day people!
Yesterday was another in a long line of games West Coast have been up to their eyeballs in this season, only to let it slip late. It’s a long road back to contention, just take solace in the fact they’re a lot better than they have been in years.
Meanwhile the Dockers rolled off their best half of the season to put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.
In today’s newsletter: The young back reaping rewards, Matt Johnson’s changing role, sweet Mellody, the WA ruck named MVP, Souths sign a W star and the bottom-ager doing nice things in the colts.
Also a reminder if you’re keen, the WA U16s are in action on the Gold Coast this week for the final two games of the AFL U16 Champs. You can watch both games on YouTube.
Let’s get stuck in.
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WEST COAST
Bulldogs 13.8 (86) def Eagles 9.16 (70)
Given the circumstances, this was one of the Eagles’ best few performances this year, they just couldn’t hold the lead. Good enough to get to the line, not yet good enough to finish the job.
Now that he has some match fitness you can see how good Brandon Starcevich will be for West Coast. Super influential against the Bulldogs and thankfully returned from an ankle complaint to finish out the game.
Speaking of defenders, that Rhett Bazzo spoil going back with the flight to deny Aaron Naughton a certain goal was unreal. Key position players - most of them anyway - take time to develop. Bazzo has shown in recent weeks that he’s worth persisting with.
Willem Duursma faded in the final term, but he was such a key part of why West Coast were in the lead for plenty of the game. I think Jagga will have him covered for the Rising Star by the end of the season but more games like Sunday will make it a good race to the finish line.
FREMANTLE
Dockers 15.12 (111) def Swans 10.13 (73)
You could mount a case that the fourth quarter was Freo’s most impressive quarter this season.
Sean Darcy was rested and would have played if it was a longer break, according to Justin Longmuir. But after Mason Cox played his best game for the club, does Darcy come straight back in? Feel like the balance shifted on Thursday night.
They both took a bit of a backseat early in the season, but the influence of Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw has shone through in the past couple of weeks. Brayshaw in particular helped change the game when he found space in the second half.
In the absence of Hayden Young, Matt Johnson’s centre-bounce attendance went from an average of five this past month to 17. He lifted a gear with the increased role too, with five clearances and 10 score involvements - behind only Murphy Reid for the latter.
WA U18 BOYS
Allies 12.12 (84) def WA 11.12 (78)
Covered a lot of this in the post for paid subscribers last week, but here’s a couple of headlines.
Heath Mellody had another best-on-ground performance despite fading late. He played in the middle from the start and was dynamic and effective. Will be on the podium for the Larke Medal if he doesn’t win it.
Finlay Yeo and Harvey Spawton-Guy both stood up in the forward line against the Allies. Yeo once again was given some time on the ball and used his creativity to put his teammates in great positions.
WA UNDER 18 GIRLS
Allies 8.12 (60) def WA 4.7 (31)
I think the player that surpassed expectation the most this champs was Charli Bassett. Not a lot of hype coming into it but was in WA’s best every game. Has pace, great in congestion. Keen to see how she finishes the year at East Perth.
Cara Dziegielewski was deservedly named the WA MVP and should have another All-Australian nod to come. She was consistently in the best handful of players on the ground, controlled the ruck and got to work around the ground. Potential top-10 pick at the end of the year.
Small forward Shaya Yarran had a really impressive game to round out the champs. Two goals, eight tackles. She was in everything in the forward 50 and showed some terrific speed.
AFLW
Preseason games began last week, with Fremantle beating Adelaide by 15 points at Fremantle Oval, and West Coast losing to Port Adelaide by 27 points.
For the Dockers, courtesy of Eliza Reilly, Emma O’Driscoll was getting some inside mid minutes, which is a very interesting move for one of the comp’s best defenders.
Young forward Georgie Brisbane had some great moments in year one and shapes as a Freo player to watch this season.
Over at West Coast there was another forward doing good things in Amy Franklin. She’s got plenty of talent but has been hit or miss in terms of performance. Kicked three against the Power and hoping we see a really good season ahead. Her combination with Lauren Wakfer - who dominated early - looks really exciting.
WAFL
All of the Perth Demons’s big guns had a day out against West Coast. Charlie Constable had 37, Brandan Parfitt had 32 and eight inside-50s, and Aaron Clarke kicked six goals to win by 62 points.
Leigh Kohlmann told The West’s Aaron Kirby that Swan Districts’ win over East Perth was their best in years. Caleb Ernst sealed the deal with a tough kick late, but Swans had held the Royals at arm’s length for much of the day. Hopefully things turn for the Basso boys soon.
Kohlmann’s kicked nine goals in his past two games btw.
Claremont lost to South Fremantle and also lost Callan England in a massive blow to their season. He had his leg trapped in a tackle late. Fingers crossed it’s not too serious for a player who has been in excellent touch this season.
Everyone might still be playing for second, after Peel Thunder dispatched the Sharks to be undefeated in their past nine games. Hugh Davies continues to be the best key back in the comp with 23 disposals and 15 marks.
WAFLW
Swan Districts and Claremont have both sewn up a top-two berth now, it’s just a matter of who finishes on top. With three rounds remaining they are both on 12 wins, with Swans ahead on percentage.
Jaime Henry had 41 disposals in a win over West Perth.
Tash Entwistle’s replacement goes alright at South Fremantle. After losing Entwistle to an AFLW call-up, Souths were able to bring in SANFL gun Kiana Lee. She kicked 6.4 from 14 disposals in game one. Wowee.
Claremont came from behind to beat Perth, with Hayley Bullas continuing her excellent form since returning with 22 disposals.
East Freo continue to hold third place thanks to an 11-point win over East Perth in skipper Tiani Teakle’s 50th game.
WAFL COLTS
Bottom-ager Taj Allan was a train-on with the 18s this year and has been firing at colts level, leading Swan Districts to a thrilling one-point win over the Royals with 27 disposals and five inside-50s.
Ethan Turner was a star for the Royals with 30 and a goal - he had some nice moments at the national champs off half-back.
Meanwhile Souths keep getting ample production from Chace Vanderhoek, whose Jack Clarke Medal claims got better again with 25 and a goal in a win over fellow premiership contenders Claremont.
Jett Abbott had probably his best game at colts level for East Fremantle. The Aquinas captain picked up 30 disposals and a goal through the middle as the Sharks saw off Peel.
That’s us all caught up.
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Catch you next week.