Winder kicks a bag in sparkling debut for West Coast’s WAFL side

Bunbury’s most recent AFL draftee, Isiah Winder, made quite the impression on debut for West Coast’s WAFL side on Saturday, kicking five goals in his side’s loss to Perth at Mineral Resources Park. Winders’ first two goals came from the top of the goal square, marking and playing on instantly for his first, and making the most of a 50-metre penalty for the second. A huge bomb from outside 50 came in the third quarter as part of a three-goal term, before last year’s pick 57 made it five, converting a simple chance early in the final term. A strong fourth quarter saw Perth get over the line, the Demons winning 16.12 (108) to West Coast’s 15.5 (95). Dumped Docker Connor Blakely featured as Peel and East Fremantle opened the WAFL season on Friday evening. Blakely, who was an injury substitute for the Dockers last week, but was left home as the side travelled to Melbourne for Sunday’s match against Carlton, was one of six Fremantle players to feature in the Thunder’s league side. Playing almost entirely on the ball, he had 19 disposals, the third most for his side, and five tackles. East Fremantle kicked away in the last quarter at David Grays Arena to win 15.16 (106) to 11.8 (74). Donnybrook product and former Essendon player Ben Howlett also featured for Peel and collected 16 disposals of his own, while Bunbury’s James Ewing and Ryan Bennell, who played for Carey Park last season, also played. For the Sharks, former Sydney Swan Durak Tucker had 11 touches. In the Colts, former Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault league player Brady Hough had 21 disposals and kicked two goals in an eye-catching Peel Thunder debut. Hough’s HBL coach John Baggetta revealed late last year that a number of high-profile football figures, including player manager Liam Pickering and State under-19s coach Peter Sumich, had an eye on the 18-year-old, who has already played a significant amount of senior footy.