The West Coast Eagles gathered at Mineral Resources Park to take on the Fremantle Dockers in their first double-header NGA Derby of the season.
The under 14s donning the blue and gold outfit for the first time, after preparing for the match with additional training sessions at Higgins Park, home of the Vic Park Raiders.
WAFL captain Hamish Brayshaw and Former Eagles defender Jacob Brennan, led the charge for the 2007 (14s) and 2006 (15s) teams respectively.
“It was good to see the way the team implemented the teachings from trainings into the game with everyone having an impact across the day,” Brayshaw said.
“The boys got to wear the West Coast jumper for the first time and really put into practice the teachings from the previous months of training.
“We had some really exciting looks in the second half with some coast to coast plays resulting in great opportunities.
“Overall a very impressive performance from the team and showed great promise for the future of our Naitanui Academy boys, definitely a great launching pad for the future.”
Participating players from the 2006 group are now eying off the opportunity for selection in AFL Flying Boomerangs Program and AFL World Team Program later in the year.
“These games are an important part of our Naitanui Academy and the continual education of the young men playing,” Brennan said.
“There were some great signs throughout the game and plenty of learning points to continually work on with the boys.
“A really strong and impressive complete team performance from start to finish, which as setup off the back of some really hard work across the 2021 preseason training block.”
The Eagles 14s and 15s are now hoping to play a return fixture in the July school holidays.
Thanks to the assistance of stakeholders Lutfullah Ahmadi and the Edmund Rice Centre, who supplied the umpiring group to officiate the NGA Derby.
“Their multicultural umpiring program is doing great things for community football in WA, and our NGA games offer a great opportunity to help develop their craft,” Game Development Officer, Chris Brown said.
“We’d also like to thank BHP for their continued support in making these games happen, and allowing us to deliver the Naitanui Academy free of charge to participants across our WA recruiting zones.”
BEST
2007 (14s) Best – Caton, Walley, Walker, Awdo, Baumgarten & Puertollano
2006 (15s) Best – Al-Shuweli, Seelander, Creighton, Hubert, Akec & Nelson
