Five young guns to watch in EGT WAFL Colts Grand FinalFriday, September 19, 2025 - 11:13 PM - by Denholm Melrose

As we inch closer to the EGT WAFL Colts Grand Final, intrigue continues to fascinate fans as to who will be the biggest factors that will influence the result.

Who will star? Who will kick the goals? Who will win the midfield battle? Here are five players to watch who could be the difference in what is set up to be a brilliant battle between the minor premiers and the back-to-back reigning champs.

Charlie Banfield

Claremont star Charlie Banfield has been in a rich vein of form heading into the Grand Final, posting 26.3 disposals and 6.7 tackles per game throughout the finals series.

He was best on ground against East Fremantle in the first week of finals with 33possessions, seven marks, seven tackles and two goals.

Banfield, who made his League debut earlier in the year for West Coast and is eligible as a father-son prospect with his father Drew playing 265 games for the club.

He's yet to play South Fremantle this season, so fans can look forward to seeing top-tier talent duke it out for the first time this year in a mouthwatering match-up.

Fred Rodriguez

It’s been a huge season for Rodriguez, who started his campaign in the premiership-favourite League side, before heading to the National Under-18s Championship as captain of WA.

Rodriguez then returned to the Colts competition, where he averaged over 25 disposals and five tackles plus a goal per game

 He won 32 disposals and kicked a goal in the first meeting with Claremont this year and is set to play a huge part in who wins this weekend.

Toby Whan

The Jack Clarke Medallist is arguably the biggest name that will run out onto Optus Stadium in the Grand Final, winning the award from just 11 games in 2025.

Whan averaged 29 disposals per game in the home-and-away season and then collected 27 disposals and booted a goal in the club’s Second Semi-Final win over East Fremantle.

In Round 6 against the Tigers Whan had 34 possessions, six marks and slotted a major.

He forms part of a three-headed Bulldogs midfield that is as stacked for talent as has ever been seen, alongside Rodriguez and WA Under-16s MVP Lucas Robinson.

Cody Curtin

Spearhead Cody Curtin is a goal-kicking machine, slotting 26 goals this season in just eight games (not including the eight goals he nailed in the preseason game against Subiaco). He booted five or more majors in half of his games this season, including in their Semi Final win over West Perth. Curtin, the younger brother of AFL Rising Star bolter Daniel, returned from the National Championships with 11 goals in his first two games in the Colts and looms as a potential match-winner heading into the Grand Final. South Fremantle key back Lucas Cattalini is the likely matchup, giving fans a battle to feast their eyes on as one of the league’s best backs takes on arguably the best forward.

Max Hansen-Knarhoi

Claremont co-captain Hansen-Knarhoi has been a focal point of the Tigers play this season, averaging 19.4 disposals and six tackles per game in the home and away season and booting 15 goals. The skipper led from the front in the Preliminary Final win over East Fremantle, accumulating 25 disposals, four marks, seven tackles and seven inside 50s. He has been instrumental for his side this year and was a pivotal member of last year’s premiership team. His experience and leadership will be key if Claremont are to get up on Sunday.