With WAFL, Community and PSA seasons complete, West Coast’s annual Derby series with Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy took place across a recent two-month span.
The club’s went to war on five occasions, with under 13, 14, 15 and 16 teams locking horns at a variety of venues, including Mineral Resources Park (16’s), Leederville Oval (15’s – a curtain raiser to the State 18s game), Cockburn ARC (14s, 15s double header) and the All-stars Carnival (16’s vs FFC and WAFL All Stars)
All the teams put in a really solid block of training following a COVID-19-enforced hiatus with West Coast’s mentoring group led by Head Coach Drew Petrie, Jacob Brennan and Fraser McInnes.
The training sessions focused on fundamental skills and game sense paid dividends, helping the Eagles’ teams to win three of the five Next Generation Derby contests.
Game 1: Under 16s at Mineral Resources Park
Our under 16s team took on the Fremantle Next Generation Academy side under the tutelage of former Eagle turned Game Development officer Jacob Brennan.
In blustery conditions the Naitanui academy toiled hard at Mineral Resources Park, putting in a workman like showing.
It was great to have NGA fixtures recommence for the first time since the initial AFL season being postponed.
Denzel Humphries showed strong leadership qualities on the day, holding down a pivotal role in the side’s backline.
It was a tight tussle across three quarters, with Freo pulling away in the last term to claim the victory.
Game 2: Under 15s at Leederville Oval
On October 17 West Coast’s under 15s Naitanui Academy team took on Fremantle at Leederville Oval.
West Coast controlled the early play but couldn’t capitalize the scoreboard.
Lance Collard and Lewi Nannup patrolled the back half of the field, thwarting the Dockers’ attacking advances, whilst Jeremy Davis was a livewire up forward.
As the game wore on West Coast found a way to seize momentum, thanks to the efforts of Lucas Naylies-Perriera, who was strong in the ruck and hit the scoreboard, plus the link up movement generated by Blake Offer down the flanks.
Eventually West Coast ran away with a comfortable four-goal victory.
Davis and Offer were awarded the match balls as our two best players of the day.
The club extends a huge thank you to the WAFC Diversity team led by Brad Collard for organising this opportunity, which made up for the cancellation of the AFL’s All Nations and Kickstart Programs due to COVID-19.
Games 3 & 4: Under 14s and under 15s double header at Cockburn ARC
This clash with Fremantle marked the return fixture for the under 15s side, with an almost unchanged squad.
Additionally, our under 14s young guns had a chance to have a hit out vs Fremantle on the front oval at Cockburn ARC.
The under 15s contest was similar to game one.
It was again a low scoring affair at first, due in part to the prevailing Fremantle Doctor.
West Coast again controlled the play but was unable to fully capitalize on the scoreboard.
In contrast to their first encounter, Fremantle made us pay in the second quarter, utilising the breeze to gain a strong five-goal advantage.
The Eagles’ coaching staff made some key adjustments at the main break and the group responded, rallying with the wind at their back in the penultimate stanza to slash their deficit to one straight kick at the final change.
Peter Woods led the charge in the midfield and some dashing run and carry from half-back Joey Harp got the Eagles back in the game.
In spite of kicking into the wind, West Coast ran away with the game in the final term.
A highlight of the match was a long goal from Brandon Cappeau, which essentially seals the game for the Eagles.
Leonard Blurton was the team’s best Eagle afield with five goals.
The under 14s group’s clash with the Dockers was an arm wrestle from the first bounce.
The teams traded blows back and forth across the day, but like the under 15s group the team found a way to get over the top of Fremantle late in the game and hold on for a strong win.
Wesley Walley was the standout player on the day.
Game 5: Under 16s versus Fremantle and WAFL All Stars at Cockburn ARC
The Naitanui Academy’s fifth and final game of the derby series was a hybrid fixture against a Fremantle 16’s All Star’s team, comprised of boys from the districts of East Fremantle, South Fremantle and Peel Thunder as well as Fremantle’s under 16’s Next Generation Academy side.
The team put on a strong showing for both fixtures, due in large part to being more familiar with their teammates having competed in game one together.
Tyson Kelly, brother of star AFL Eagle Tim, was prominent in both matches at Cockburn ARC.
He spent the bulk of his time in the midfield but also pushed forward to kick a long-range goal from outside 50.
The Naitanui Academy continued to train up until December 7, but now they are on a well-earned break.
Training resumes on January 12 at Mineral Resources Park in what is shaping up to be a massive 2021 season.
The West Coast Eagles would like to extend its gratitude to the club’s Inclusion and Diversity partner, plus the children’s families, our members and volunteers for their support over this very challenging season.
Go Eagles!
