Western Australia v South Australia Under-18 champs: WA win by 67 points

Two over agers and an under ager were the stars for WA in a team brilliantly led by Bo Allen who had missed the opening game of the titles with a back injury.

Claremont’s key forward Max Rohr, 19, kicked four goals including three before half time to mark himself as a player to watch come draft time. Fellow over ager Aiden Riddle dominated the ruck.

The 197cm Rohr, who has spent much of the season in Claremont’s reserves, clunked a couple of powerful contested marks and also played with great savvy at ground level.

Meanwhile at the other end of the age scale South Fremantle’s midfielder Fred Rodriguez marked himself as a player to watch for the 2025 national draft with 19 first half disposals and ongoing influence on the game throughout the four quarters.

Tall forward/ruck Kayle Gerreyn chimed in with three goals of his own - one of which came from a brilliant ground level goal assist from Rohr.

Several other under agers also caught the eye for WA. Charlie Banfield showed pluck and courage throughout, Swan Districts mid-forward Blake Kelly impressed for the second match in a row and Perth’s Koby Evans kicked two brilliant last quarter goals, celebrating one with a backflip.

The powerful WA performance may force a draft re-think after many recruiters had claimed the West Australian talent development pathway would barely produce a draftable player this season.

Will Hayes impressed for the second time in as many games, Charlie Burke was one of WA's best working from defence to attack tirelessly up and down a wing and capping the work with two great goals. Hamish Davis bobbed up for two goals in attack and AIS small forward Malakai Champion shrugged off limited opportunities to produce a brilliant final quarter crumb and goal.

Much of the impetus for the win was triggered by a powerful and assertive performance from WA’s young backs. Peel Thunder’s Darcy Petersen, from Eaton spent much of the match on the dangerous Croweater forward Tyler Welsh and restricted him to a handful of touches. Cody Curtin, who is the younger brother of 2023 top 10 draft pick Daniel, also played impressively and is growing with every outing. Clancy Dennis was another back to show a lot of poise.

The West Australians had started brilliantly with returning skipper Allen leading the way and Rohr cashing in.

Allen’s physical presence, supported by game two inclusion Hugh Boxshall, Luke Urquhart and complimented by Rodriguez, gave the Sandgropers an edge around the contest. Rohr kicked three first half goals as WA raced to a 31 point quarter time lead and held it to hold a 35 point margin at the half time break.

Gerreyn, Davis, Cody Angove and Hayes were others to hit the scoreboard while West Coast father-son prospect Banfield took a brave with the flight mark in the second term to add a goal.

Allen had 11 first half disposals - the best a brutal ground ball get which paved the way for a spectacular mark and goal to Burke.

State talent manager Adam Jones said the performance was “fantastic to watch”.

“There were four full quarters of it as well,” he said.

“Max Rohr with four goals was pretty special, Aiden Riddle was outstanding in the ruck again and Darcy Petersen did a fantastic job on Welsh.”

Jones said Rodriguez’s performance earmarked him as one to watch.

“He missed the 16s last year through injury. He has been the best performed mid in the colts competition early in this season. He is very focused and driven.”