Bulldogs shine on big stage of National 18s Championships

SOUTH Fremantle is again on track to provide multiple draftees to the AFL later this year with Tim English, Shai Bolton, Dylan Brown and Kyle Russell all taking part in Western Australia's recent National AFL 18s Championships.

WA played four matches in the 2016 championships beating Victoria Country and the Allies while going down to South Australia and Victoria Metro on the road. Vic Metro ended up winning the 2016 title following its win to finish the campaign over WA at Geelong's Simonds Stadium last Wednesday.

South Fremantle was again well represented in the WA team across the four games with English and Bolton playing in each of them, Russell appearing in two and Brown once.

English ended up being one of the stars of the championships for WA with the young ruckman one of just two players from the state named to the All-Australian team. The 203cm big man has the rare blend of being tall, athletic and skilful making him a likely top 10 draft pick.

The 19-year-old has only began playing in the South Fremantle colts this year having played in the development programs with Claremont, but he couldn’t be happier with the way it has worked out.

"My address was listed as a place in the Claremont zone, I was using that as my address because I played in the development squads at Claremont in the 14s, 15s and 16s,” English told The Sunday Times.

"When I went to put in my registration to play at the end of last year, I realised that the farm in Pingelly is actually in the South Freo district.

"I think it’s absolutely been a blessing in disguise, having an extra year just to work on a few things, and going through my first ever colts pre-season with South Fremantle."

Bolton also showed exciting signs in the four games for WA with the son of former Fremantle Dockers AFL and Peel Thunder WAFL player Darren backing up his strong colts form with the Bulldogs by performing well at the next level.

Russell also showed some good signs in the two games he participated in against Vic Country and South Australia.

WA's championships began with a 19.11 (125) to 10.4 (64) win over Vic Country at Domain Stadium with Bolton kicking two goals to go with 11 possessions, four tackles and three inside-50 entries.

Russell also had four possessions and kicked two behinds while English finished with nine possessions and three clearances.

South Australian then beat WA 12.10 (82) to 6.9 (45) at AAMI Stadium with Bolton kicking another goal to go with 14 disposals, five marks and seven inside-50 entries.

English finished with seven disposals, six marks and eight hit outs with Russell also adding six possessions. Brown made his first appearance of the championships for WA finishing with 12 possessions, five marks, three tackles and two clearances.

WA got back on the winner's list beating the Allies 10.9 (69) to 7.10 (52) at Domain Stadium with Bolton playing strongly for 16 possessions, six inside 50s and another goal.

English had another strong performance with 12 possessions, two clearances and two tackles.

The championships finished last Wednesdays with Vic Metro defeating WA 12.9 (81) to 8.10 (58) at Simonds Stadium.

Bolton played well again with 13 possessions and another goal with English also finishing with 11 disposals, 14 hit outs and five marks