They didn't rate us!
WA U18 boys cause the upset, the Eagles make it four narrow losses this year, and a Demon goes bananas.
G’day people!
Once again West Coast came within a whisker of winning it. There might have been a couple of boys running around at Lathlain on Saturday who could help bridge that gap in years to come.
The WA U18s boys started with a bang, and Eagles father-son chance Harper Banfield and NGA Lachie McGlade were both very impressive - as were most of WA’s side to be honest, it was a great performance all-round.
In this week’s newsletter: An alternate Eagles reality, full breakdown of the U18s boys and girls openers, a great story about a Sri Lankan cricketer, and the latest from across the WAFL.
Let’s get stuck in.
Main pic image credit: Peter Keleman
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WEST COAST
Kangaroos 10.14 (74) def Eagles 10.13 (73)
A one-point loss to North the latest in a string of near misses including six points to Port, 10 points to Collingwood, 11 to Richmond. There’s a world where West Coast are sitting on eight wins for the season and inside the top 10.
We’re not going to join the list of people telling Jake Waterman how to fix his action. We just feel for the guy. Tough run.
Jobe Shanahan has got to be the best teenage forward in Australia. Even when he missed late, he was quick to bob up with the redeeming goal shortly after. A seriously special talent.
Add Marcus Herbert to the list of guys that should have been on an AFL list a long time ago. Slotted in seamlessly, and the contest late where he crashed in, hit a body and won the ball was a thing of beauty.
WA U18 BOYS
WA 11.12 (78) def SA 10.6 (66)
Once again, with many pundits declaring WA won’t do much, they come out and put a few people in their place. Five unanswered goals in the first quarter set the tone, and they were able to hold off a fast-finishing SA in the second half. Great game, great win.
Swan Districts on-baller Leo Steed continues to build his reputation. It was a close-run thing but he was probably best on ground. Steed was everywhere, taking the ball from inside to outside the contest, running hard defensively and kicking a nice goal in the early onslaught. He finished with 30 touches, four clearances and six score involvements.
Too many good players to get into them all individually but the midfield of Steed, George Gale (27 disposals, seven inside-50s), Lucas Robinson (25, eight clearances), Harper Banfield (24, six score involvements) and bottom-ager James Artemis (two goals, 10 score involvements on a wing) was a particularly potent group.
WA’s small forwards also look a special group, with Cam Maynard, Lachie McGlade, Kyan Perera (great story about him below in the colts section) and Fin Yeo all having their moments.
WA UNDER 18 GIRLS
SA 12.6 (78) def WA 4.2 (26)
Tough start for the girls. The positive is they actually won the second half, but the damage was done early.
First-round prospect Cara Dziegielewski (which her mum clarified is pronounced Jingle-Eski, like where you put your drinks at Christmas) lived up to the hype. She had the ball 14 times with 34 hit-outs, seven marks and five inside 50s and used it well.
It was a big day for the defenders in the face of a 51-24 inside 50 count to SA. India Bonadeo was in the best with her 21 touches, 10 intercept possessions and bounce out of defence. Mia Carlshausen (19 disposals, 11 intercepts) and 16-year-old Bella Nelson (12 marks, five tackles) stood tall in tough conditions.
Charlie Bassett led the game for clearances (seven) and dug in early.
I was also really impressed with Marley Kelman, who didn’t have many looks at it playing forward but kicked a good set shot and worked hard with eight tackles.
WAFL
After the hottest start in the comp, Claremont have now lost three of their past four. This time it was Perth who took the points with Lochy Paton jumping off the page by kicking five goals from 17 touches. Lot to like about this forward - we’ve told you plenty of times already.
Jack Cleaver had another 22 disposals, 11 tackles and two goals for East Fremantle in their win over West Perth. He’s a beast and putting together an unreal season. This time he was supported by veteran Cam Eardley who rolled out 33 and 11 marks.
West Coast are 5-5 now and look poised to play finals if things keep going the way they are. They beat Swan Districts 96-89 with Oliver Francou (19 disposals, nine tackles), Tyrell Dewer (four goals) and Jack Williams (three goals, 23 disposals) having great afternoons.
Farewell to Swan Districts legend and all-round great man Nathan Blakely, who is off overseas to take the next step in his medical career. No matter how busy he’s been over the past few years, he’s always answered the call from Basso and driven the 90min+ round trip to training. Great stint.
WAFLW
We’ve got another AFLW player! Juliet Kelly, who should have been drafted multiple times in the past six months, is set to sign with the Adelaide Crows.
Kelly will be a loss to Claremont but they didn’t need her on the weekend. Jayme Harken rolled out a casual 40 disposals in a 54-point win over Peel.
20-year-old ruck Tamzyn Beros had one of her best games for the season to help Swan Districts stay on top of the ladder with a 16-point win over East Perth. Lucy Greenwood, as usual, was terrific in a losing side with 22 disposals and seven tackles.
Reigning B&F Tahleah Mulder led from the front as South Fremantle held off West Perth by three points in a thriller. The Falcons kicked three fourth-quarter goals to hit the front before conceding a 50m penalty inside South’s 50m arc in the final minute. Shannyn Pomersbach sealed it for the Bulldogs from the top of the goalsquare.
Isabella Shannon dominated with 26 disposals, 10 marks and a goal to help Perth upset Subiaco. The big three did plenty of damage for Subi, Paige Sheppard finished with 38 disposals. But the most notable Lions performance was probably Caitlin Boss - she’s only 15 years old but had 16 touches and seven inside 50s. Should feature in the 18s at some point.
WAFL COLTS
Thanks again to our colts contributor for their efforts this week.
Kyan Perera (Subaco/WA U18s): Perera was lively in the U18s game on the weekend, as we mentioned earlier, with great pressure up forward and some serious pace. What we didn’t mention is he is the son of former Sri Lanka Test and ODI cricketer Suresh Perera. Suresh represented Sri Lanka 23 times in international cricket but migrated to Australia in the late 2000’s. He’s still involved in local Perth cricket, curating turf pitches, coaching and playing - although he says that Aussie Rules football is now his game of choice to watch.
Lachlan Wall (East Fremantle/2028 Draft): Wall is one of the youngest players in the colts competition and is not draft eligible until 2028. Just 173cm at this point in his career, he has electric hands, poise and dazzling pace. Had 23 disposals and a goal in a win over the Falcons at the weekend. In a time when smaller, faster, more dynamic players are back in vogue, he will be one to watch for the Sharks in coming years.
Charlie Bedbrook (Claremont): In one of the most dominant individual performances at colts level in 2026, Bedbrook was converted from a key forward into a ruckman against Perth. The 196cm over-ager couldn’t be beaten in the air with nine marks, 24 hit-outs, 26 disposals and seven inside 50’s. Will be a dangerous combination with Benji van Rooyen post-18s championships.
SCHOOL FOOTY
A CORRECTION! Despite the broadcast having this as a draw (and the ‘celebrations’ matching on the siren) this was actually a win for Trinity. Apologies! Trinity took it out 59-55, but it was still Guildford’s best game for the year.
Even without George Gale and Harper Banfield, Scotch College have extended their lead on the chasing pack thanks to a 107-35 win over neighbours Christ Church Grammar School which keeps them unbeaten this season.
Hale School made it three wins from their past four games by beating Wesley College 107-46.
That’s us all caught up.
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Catch you next week.
Herbert looks like a real find 👏