COLTS SEASON 2017 COMES TO AN END

Written by: Talent Manager John Deitz

A gutwrenching 1 point loss to East Perth saw the final siren sound on the Peel Thunder Colts season on Saturday at Fremantle Oval.

A behind to East Perth in the first 5 seconds of “golden point” was the culmination of a poor final quarter which saw the colts give up a 27 point lead at the final change to finish in 5th position for the 2017 season.

Despite the way the season ended the colts squad had a strong season, with 50 players representing the club at the level. In a great sign for the future, 35 of these players are still eligible to play colts football again in the 2018 season and with continued development should be a group to be reckoned with next season.

The club had 6 players represent Western Australia at the NAB National Championships in Aaron Naughton, Damon Cramer, Lachlan Mitchell, Jordan Boullineau, Durak Tucker and Jarrad Fazioli, with Naughton named All-Australian.

Naughton has also been invited to the AFL National Combine testing, with Mitchell, Cramer and Boullineau invited to the state combine in October.

Cramer and Naughton also made their league debuts in great signs for the future, whilst Jaidon Kearing, Ash Humphreys, Reece Dillon, Jackson Capurso and Oliver Walton all played in the senior development side over the season.

The side also had a number of players represent W.A. In the state under 17s program- Jake Howes, Brad Oldfield, Tyson Powell, Michael Randall, Lachlan Riley and Lee Chapman all played through the state 17s campaign and those boys will be looking to push hard for state 18s selection in 2018.

The club also had 13 boys represent the squad from our South West zone in a great reflection of the talent existing in our country zone, as well as the work that has been done at junior levels with these boys. This number of players has grown from 1 in 2013 to 13 in 2017 and we wish to thank the country players and their families for their commitment, long hours put in, and support of the program this season.

The side played 21 games for 11 wins, 1 draw and 9 losses. The average winning margin was 34 points, whilst the losing margin was 9 points in a sign that the squad was super competitive, however just failed to get over the line when it mattered on occasions.

Michael Stevens took out the goal kicking with 25 goals from his 8 games, with Tyson Powell and Lee Chapman both finishing with 20 goals for the season. 

The club would like to thank and recognise the efforts of our key staff within the colts program- Head Coach Craig Otto and assistants Jayden Heuer, Dave Mews and Brad Perry. South West coaches Adam Shine and Peter Morrissey, Team Manager Tim Overington, Physiotherapist Ed Ma, Trainer Danielle Parmenter, Strength and Conditioning coach Mitch Russell,  Interchange stewards Darren and Fiona Dews, timekeeper Peter Ferguson and property stewards Kevin Castillo and Terry McCarthy for their support, work and effort put in over the course of the season with plenty of early morning starts and late nights at training.

The playing group will go through exit interviews over the coming weeks with the David Cameron Memorial Medal Night for the colts fairest and best player to be held on Wednesday October 4 in the Platinum Room commencing at 6:30pm. Tickets are available from reception for parents, family members and supporters for $49.50 which includes a 3 course meal and need to be purchased by Friday 29th September.