We almost swept South Australia
PLUS the Dockers keep rolling, an East Perth ressie gets going, WAFLW upsets and a key position battle in the colts.
G’day friends!
WA broke a decade-long U16 drought in SA on the weekend, meaning we can claim wins over the Croweaters in the WAFL, WAFLW, U18 boys and U16 boys competitions this year (they’ve got hold of us in the U18 and U16 girls, but you can’t win them all).
This could be a special U16s group, but more on that later.
In today’s newsletter: Brayshaw’s moment in the spotlight, the less said about the Eagles result the better, Sharp and Peel at it again in the WAFL, upsets at the top in the WAFLW, U16 standouts and more.
Let’s get stuck in.
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FREMANTLE
Dockers 11.14 (80) def Suns 3.11 (29)
One of the many things working well for Fremantle this year is the players’ willingness to buy into roles. Andrew Brayshaw is a perfect example of that. He’s sacrificed his own game for long stretches of the season to make his team better. In the past few weeks that has flipped. He was huge against Geelong and one of the key drivers in the middle against the Suns yesterday. He had 29 disposals and a goal after 35 against the Cats and 30 against North Melbourne. In a great patch of form.
Not only are the Dockers two games clear on top of the ladder, they’ve also conceded 196 less points than the next-best defensive side.
Told you about Judd McVee, didn’t I? Getting on the attack more, and had one of the moments of the game, running the field and delivering to Jye Amiss.
WEST COAST
Blues 17.15 (117) def Eagles 9.10 (64)
Progress isn’t linear.
If nothing else (and it was hard to find a positive here), Harley Reid played another very good game. He kicked a stunning early goal and finished the day with 23 disposals and 12 clearances. He just didn’t have much help.
WAFL
Seven straight wins now for Peel Thunder and another best-on-ground performance from Jeremy Sharp. The Freo-listed winger had three goals from 25 disposals in a win over West Perth. He’s averaging 32.8 disposals and has kicked 11 goals from eight games as an inside mid.
East Perth’s Tyler Lindberg was tipped as one to watch coming into the season. He’s spent the past few weeks in the reserves but had a breakthrough performance to help the Royals run down West Coast late, with 24 disposals, seven tackles and seven inside-50s. Should get an extended crack at the level given some massive injury issues for the club.
Claremont are back on the winners’ list and behind Peel only on percentage after a narrow escape against East Fremantle, who kicked five goals to one in the final term but couldn’t quite bridge the gap. Callan England had 33 disposals.
There are a lot of young Perth Demons making an impact this season - but William Tilbee is near the top of the list. He’s only 18 but played a role in toppling South Freo on the weekend with two goals from 16 disposals.
There was a young forward making an impact at Subiaco too. Campbell Henderson was named best with three goals from nine marks in just his eighth league game.
WAFLW
Tash Entwistle is the latest WAFLW star to make the jump to the AFLW as an injury replacement player, joining West Coast last week.
It’s tight at the top! Swan Districts hold top spot but are now equal on points with Claremont after an upset loss to Subiaco.
Lisa Steane (30 disposals), Paige Sheppard (28) and Krstel Petrevski (25, two goals) were the difference, helping Subiaco snap their losing streak.
Claremont meanwhile kept the pressure on by beating East Fremantle on the back of 31 disposals and eight tackles from Jayme Harken.
South Fremantle had a narrow two-point win over Perth. Tahleah Mulder had 33 disposals, 10 tackles and five inside-50s.
West Perth are right on the verge of the top four after beating Peel. Expect them to have a big finish to the season once their U18 players are back.
WAFL COLTS
With thanks to our regular colts contributor…
What happens when the best full back and the dominant full forward match up in the WAFL Colts competition? This weekend it was a draw. Tadhg Barrowclough (West Perth) and Trent Robertson (Peel) both had brilliant moments in a fair but spirited duel. Robertson was on top early but Barrowclough set himself for a big second half and was able to contain the Peel gun. Robertson finished with 14 disposals, eight marks and three goals. Barrowclough finished with 20 disposals and four marks.
Benji Beck (Subiaco) isn’t a name that many would know but each week in the midfield he accumulates possessions quietly and effectively. He is a big reason why Subiaco are moving up the ladder. On the weekend against Swan Districts, he gathered 29 disposals and seven tackles and he did it without any fuss. No frills, maximum results.
How does the team on the bottom of the ladder defeat the ladder leaders? Easy, just kick straighter! Perth were steady with 10 goals and eight behinds, South Fremantle blew chance after chance and finished on a remarkable one goal and 19 behinds. State squad member Jayden Clarke was dynamic with 25 disposals and three goals, Matthew Edgelow (15 disposals, three goals) made telling contributions, Alex Richardson was reliable and strong in the backline and Adrian Carles does what he always does and mopped up in defence.
WA UNDER 16s
This has all the makings of a special group. WA defeated SA on their home turf in the 16s for the first time in more than a decade. We had a correspondent on the ground. Here were a few standouts:
Jayke Taylor was a handful up forward - a powerful leading target who gave his teammates a genuine outlet all afternoon and finished with two well-taken goals.
Troy Warner played like a boy who had been watching his brothers play footy in the backyard since he could lift his head - hard at it from the first bounce, hungry for every possession and knowing exactly what to do with it. He had 25 disposals, six marks, four tackles and four inside 50s. He didn't just lead, he dragged the contest along with him.
He’s played back and forward through the practice games but Sam Gooch was majestic in the ruck against SA — doing the hard work in the contests and finishing with 14 disposals, five clearances and four inside 50s.
Coby Jackson's give-and-goes off the half back were a delight, constantly unlocking the defence with casual, infuriating brilliance.
Aidan Wilson had two match-defining moments late. A clutch defensive mark late in the fourth to steady a wobbling ship, followed minutes later by a lung-busting run the length of the ground and a stunning goal on the run from 40 metres out.
SCHOOL FOOTY
Hale School made a statement in the final game before the holiday break, beating Guildford 141-10. Campbell Creyk was prolific with 30 disposals, nine clearances and a goal, while Alex Batina had 27, three goals and six clearances.
Aquinas also kept the pressure on leaders Scotch College with a 96-71 win over Christ Church. Oscar Richardson had five goals, Taitt Abbott was also influential.
That’s us all caught up.
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Catch you next week.