WA Black claim bragging rights with help from Subi premiership players

W.A. Black took on W.A. Gold in a star-studded exhibition match that showcased Western Australia’s brightest and best U/18 talent at Leederville Oval last Saturday morning. 

W.A. Black dominated the first of two matches’ as part of the NAB AFL U/18’s All-Star Exhibition series, leading at every break to run out eventual 55-point winners, 13.15.93 to 6.2.38. 

The match featured eight Subiaco products, who will all be aiming to impress and put their case forward for AFL selection in either this year’s draft or the next.

T. Brockman
26 disposals, 16 kicks, 10 handballs.
10 marks, 5 inside-50’s, 2 goals.
Nobody from either side got more of the ball than Brockman, with his 26 disposals and 10 marks highlighting how damaging he can be across the half-forward line. Brockman was electric all morning, pumping the ball inside 50 five times and contributing to his sides dominant display inside their attacking half. The talented 17-year-old also booted two majors for the morning to round out an excellent performance in match one. 

L. Henderson
12 disposals, 9 kicks, 3 handballs.
7 uncontested-marks, 1 inside-50.
Henderson did as he pleased for the morning, finding plenty of space to reel in a mammoth seven uncontested marks and 10 uncontested possessions. Henderson was excellent between the arcs, using the ball effectively by foot and bringing those around him into the game. 

M. Johnson
21 disposals, 9 kicks, 12 handballs.
4 marks, 2 inside-50’s, 1 goal.
The 2021 draft prospect continued his ultra-consistent form from the 2020 season, going about his usual business through the middle of the ground. Johnson impressed around the stoppages, using his height and strength to win the ball and feed it off to his teammates with ease, showing a cool head to often choose the right option by hand or foot. Johnson capped off his morning with a classy goal on the run with his opposite foot late in the last quarter to solidify his place as one of the best for the match.

N. Martin
17 disposals, 11 kicks, 6 handballs.
7 marks, 5 inside-50’s, 1 goal.
Martin was another strong performer in a great day for W.A. Black as he worked hard around the ground to gather 17 disposals. Martin’s ability to consistently find space around the ground was highlighted by his seven uncontested marks, allowing him to efficiently distribute the ball going forward. Martin started the match in sparkling form, as he sent a searing ball inside-50 to help set up his side’s first goal of the morning, highlighting the danger he can pose to the opposition when he has the ball forward of centre.

J. McGowan
10 disposals, 8 kicks, 2 handballs.
4 marks, 1 clearance, 1 rebound 50.
McGowan worked hard all morning, pushing himself from contest to contest in an effort to impact the match. The Kingsway Junior Football Club product registered eight kicks for the match as W.A. Black looked to surge the ball forward from the stoppages. The Subiaco premiership star will no doubt add to his disposal tally in the second match, following last Saturday’s unusually quiet outing.

B. Morris
13 disposals, 7 kicks, 6 handballs.
3 marks, 2 tackles, 3 rebound 50’s.
2020 Premiership winning player, Blake Morris performed well given his limited opportunities in the backline. In a dominant display that saw W.A. Black only concede six majors for the morning, Morris was one of the chief distributors off of the half-back line. Recording three rebound 50’s for the morning, Morris set up multiple forays forward as his team piled the scoreboard pressure on to their hapless opposition.

S. Page
17 disposals, 14 kicks, 3 handballs.
4 marks, 6 inside-50’s, 4 goals.
Page kicked more goals than anybody on either side for the match and was rightly named as one of the best afield for his efforts. Page was seemingly everywhere, amassing 17 disposals and booting four goals, with three of them coming before half-time. Page drove the ball inside-50 six times, providing multiple assists for his fellow forwards in the kind of dominant display that Subiaco fans have come to expect from the athletic forward. 
 
L. Vanirsen
18 disposals, 11 kicks, 7 handballs.
6 marks, 4 clearances, 3 inside-50’s.
Heading into the match as arguably one of the most in-form players of the competition, Vanirsen did his reputation no harm as he won 18 disposals, providing plenty of grunt around the contest. The reigning Jack Clarke Medallist was instrumental in winning the ball for his side, regularly getting the upper-hand at the stoppages and distributing the ball cleanly, as W.A. Black continually surged forward from the contest all morning.

Game two of this AFL U/18’S All-Stars Exhibition series will be played at Leederville Oval on Saturday October 17, with bouncedown at 11:30 a.m.