Bolting Colts Round 17

It’s getting to a critical stage of the year for a number of our Colts. As November creeps ever closer our New Millennium draft class are doing everything they can to impress the growing number of scouts that are packing the stands looking for that next diamond in the rough.

With that in mind, here’s an insight into the development of our up and coming young talent and how they played over the previous weekend.

TEAM PERFORMANCE:

The team as a whole were back to winning ways this week against Claremont after a shock loss to East Fremantle two weeks prior. Coming out strongly with a 6 goal to 3 opening term, Jackson Knight (Mandurah FC) was instrumental kicking 3 first quarter goals. The first quarter dominance continued largely throughout the second with the lead ballooning out to 28 points when goal-sneak Jonathan Ietto (Harvey Bulls FC) put through his 12^thgoal of the season from a set shot on a tight angle. A couple of late goals to Claremont however cut the lead to under 3 goals at the major break. 

Ben Middleton (Halls Head JFC) who was unsighted throughout most of the first half came out strongly in the third kicking his Colts leading 21st and 22^ndgoals of the season. The Thunder kicked the last 3 goals of the term including one right on the siren from Bradley Oldfield (South Mandurah FC) his 2^ndfor the day capping off a bullocking-like performance in the middle picking up 24 disposals and laying 4 tackles in his first Colts game since Round 11. 

Unfortunately the boys were unable to maintain that same level of play in the final quarter. The damage had already been done however and despite going goal-less in the final term it only impacted the final winning margin, which saw the Thunder running out eventual 16-point winners.

The win all but guarantees the Thunder will go into the finals series on top of the Ladder, in that scenario it would only take 1 win to see them advance to their first Grand Final appearance since 2010.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS:

Tyrone Thorne (Rockingham): The WA State U/18’s Academy member who usually plies his trade in the forward line was challenged to take his talents to the midfield this week after missing out on an invite to the AFL National Draft Combine. He did not disappoint, racking up 25 disposals (Career High) 16 of which were contested at 72% disposal efficiency to go along with 5 tackles. A sign of his versatility and continued development as he looks to improve his draft prospects.

Jack Sears (South Mandurah JFC): Jack had one of his most complete performances of the season amassing 23 disposals, taking 10 marks and adding a goal. Jack is starting to play consistent footy after transitioning from a marking forward that saw him named at CHF in last years Colts Team of the Year to a role on the wing this season. Playing games like the one on the weekend will continue to show off his assets as a strong overhead mark with good skills.

Bradley Oldfield (South Mandurah FC): As noted above Bradley played a great steadying role in his first game since Round 11. Playing through the middle for most of the day, Bradley had a solid all-round stat line with 24 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles and 2 goals.

Jackson Knight (Mandurah FC): Coming off his previous 3 games in which he was averaging 24 disposals (including a gallant effort a fortnight ago against East Fremantle where he picked up 25 and 12 tackles) it would be easy to look at Jackson’s 15 disposals and think he had a down day.  Deployed in a slightly different role to previous weeks Jackson impacted the game dramatically when it was up for grabs kicking 3 first quarter goals to go along with 6 inside 50’s and 5 tackles. The 3 goals doubled his season tally and shows how damaging he can be without accumulating a large number of disposals.

LEAGUE:

Jarvis Pina (South Mandurah FC): With Jason Carter called up to make his AFL Debut for Fremantle it only seemed appropriate that Jarvis would make a debut of his own at League level. Jarvis gave a good showing and certainly didn’t look out of place in a game that felt like it was mostly played in the Thunder’s forward half. While his 11 disposals may not jump off the page, he was solid with the ball (DE 64%) involved in a number of link up plays from the back half driving the ball inside 50 (2) and being involved in 2 scoring chains. He even had a set shot chance for his first League goal but unfortunately pushed it out to the right on a day where a number of the Thunder’s senior players had trouble finding the big sticks. If Jarvis does get another opportunity look for him to build on what was an all-round solid League debut.

Ryan Bennell (South Bunbury FC): Ryan had one of his best performances of the season after a few weeks where he struggled to find the ball. He kicked 2 very important goals in the context of the game as the Thunder tried to claw their way back into the game in the second half. Of his 12 disposals 7 of them were contested and he also had 6 score involvements showing that he can find other ways to stay involved without directly impacting the scoreboard. His tackling pressure has been one of his most consistent attributes this season, he has never had less than 3 in a game and is averaging 3.8 over his 9 League games. Ryan has become a mainstay in the League team, which in itself is huge compliment for a 19 year old when you consider it regularly boasts a number of AFL listed players. If he can continue to find a way to stay in games and impact the scoreboard as he did on Saturday it will go a long way to improving his stock for the upcoming draft.

The Colts will look to maintain their form against bottom side South Fremantle this weekend away from 9am at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.