RECAP AFTER 5 ROUNDS
A GRADE – Chris Ninkov (4-1)
The A Grade side is off to a very strong 4–1 start, including wins against both Grand Finalists from last year. The group has undergone some significant changes since the end of last season, with an exciting influx of youth and experience. From last year’s Colts program, we have already seen seven debuts, and the additions of Jye Bolton and Sullivan Moody (amongst others) have helped provide a really good balance across the squad. Our Round 1 fixture saw us go up against Wesley Curtin (the runners-up last year). We carried confidence coming in, but as always with the first game of the season, there is some uncertainty. However, a first-quarter blitz showed the group what we are capable of. Our ball movement was slick, with multiple handball chains illustrating this. The remainder of the game was primarily an arm wrestle, where we matched Wesley around the contest and with ball in hand. The best players were Cyrus Upson (who had an outstanding 2 nd half), debutant Cuba Cellier (kicking the sealer in the last quarter), and Chris White, who kicked three.
Round 2 saw us take on North Beach (2025 Premiers). With a couple missing from our Round 1 side, it was always going to be a challenge against the near full-strength premiers. The game itself proved to be one of the games of the season across the competition. The highlight was a six-goals-to-one third quarter, led by a tough midfield performance from Cyrus, Cuba, Sully, Addison, West Love, and captain Troy Culloton. The game was a real moment of validation for the group, which demonstrated what it is capable of. From this game, one of the major highlights was Ryan Hudson (converting from full back to full forward) kicking six goals and proving the spearhead on the day. Joe Edwards also played a very significant role on one of the best forwards in the competition, and debutant Will Parker kicked a very important goal in the last quarter to steady the ship.
Round 3 was the bus trip down to Baldivis, with six changes made to the Round 2 side on ANZAC Day. The first half was another really solid display, with us kicking nine goals to one and running out 55-point winners. Within this, there was a really good showing from Charlie Carrington-Jones, who kicked four, while debutant (also Colt’s age) Toby Jones contributed significantly. In the most recent fixture, we unfortunately went down by two points in a top-of-the-table clash. The effort of the lads cannot be faulted, holding a lead for the majority of the day before being chased down by CBC in the last quarter. Our backs were nothing short of outstanding – Ben Culloton did an amazing job on a former WAFL League footballer, Joey was very competitive against a talented CBC forward, and Jaxon Douglas (recently joining us from Claremont) was the Players’ Player for his aerial competitiveness. The CBC result was obviously disappointing; however, the group should not be perturbed by it. To come up against the calibre of sides we have through the first month and play the way we have indicates we’re building in the right way. The competitiveness of this graduating Colts group has been something the senior players have noticed, and they should be proud of how they have adapted to senior football.
A GRADE WOMEN – Harry Beaton (4-1)
The A-Grade women have made a strong start to their premiership defence with a 3-1 record after a tough stretch of away games against high quality opponents. The team has been lead by a dominant midfield brigade, with Tarni Golisano, UFC royalty Eloise Massey and star recruit Helen Taylor the early season standouts. The Stormers continued their momentum with a dominant win against Melville under lights at the McG last Saturday night. It was a rare opportunity for the club to watch the women’s league side and the girls put on a great performance. The competition is extremely tight this season as the A Grade side has to bring their best each week in their premiership defence.
A COLTS – Charlie Lennon (4-1)
As a whole the colts program started off in a really good way after a tough but enjoyable preseason. Many new faces eager and keen to pull on the Uni jumper and get ready to tackle the season. The preseason wrapped up with a great event at Stoneys house and we hope there’s more of that to come. A colts went down to South Oval to face Curtin Uni in round 1. A hot and contested game went right down to the wire with Uni holding on by 2 points to get the year started the right way. It was many boys first win down at the club and the song needed some work. The boys learnt quickly after displaying 2 dominant efforts over North Beach and Baldivis. Round 4 we faced Freo CBC, who beat us in last years grand final and the boys were on early. Jumping CBC to a 4 goal lead at quarter time. Winning by 17 points in the end the A colts are very happy with how they have started the season. What’s most exciting is the improvement to be made. The boys are up for the fight and it’s a long season ahead.
ALL ABILITIES – Patrick Wilson (3-0)
After a strong first season for the Unicorns, we’ve hit the ground running with two wins to start this year! It’s been an exciting month, with plenty of new players pulling on the Uni jumper for the first time and our squad growing from 18 in 2025 to 26 so far this season. We’ve been working hard on our ball movement through the corridor and getting everyone involved with handball chains. It’s been great to see that translate straight into game day—it’s been a huge enabler of our strong start. Still plenty of opportunities to unlock but we are improving every week. The squad had an amazing opportunity to take on Swan Districts last week in a night game on the big stage at Steel Blue, even getting a guard of honour by the East Fremantle WAFL League side. Go Unicorns!
A RESERVES – Jye Bolton (3-2)
The A Reserves currently sit 4th on the ladder with a tight record of 3 wins and 2 losses. On paper, not a perfect start, but the numbers don’t tell the real story. We pushed the reigning premiers to the final ten seconds and lost by a single point. The same side that beat us by five goals in last year’s grand final. Our other loss came against top of the table CBC, with wholesale changes to the side that week, the boys really cracked, going down by just one goal. Through all of this, the group has held firm to one motto: there are no losses, only lessons. You can see it in the way we’ve responded each week. From the young pups of Kiya Jelly and Sonny Arrangio to the older generation of Sean Trombetta and Patrick Donovan, the team has stuck together and continued to improve week by week. In regard to the wins, the boys were able to knock off the formidable Curtin Wesley and synergistic Baldivis. Some notable shoutouts go to Marco Ghiseli and Callum Kirk, both leading from the front and setting the tone in recent appearances. Overall, it has been a united effort from the entire playing and coaching group. Excited for more to come.
A RESERVES WOMEN – Dave Gilbert (5-0)
The Peacocks have started season 2026 with a bang, recording 5 wins on the trot to sit equal top of the ladder. A huge 159 point win against Wembley in round 2 saw full forward Ash Hardisty kick 9, and a tight 6 point win over last year’s grand final winner North Fremantle last weekend have been the highlights. The group worked hard throughout the preseason and have brought that into the first month of the season – our attack at the footy and work around the contest have been excellent, and skills are continuing to improve. We returned home this weekend after 3 weeks away with a 128 point victory against Melville and working towards a few solid outings in front on the Neil Donaldson Pavilion over the next couple of weeks.
PIRATES – Robbie Gray (5-0)
2026 has been a year of major change for the Pirates. A new league, new coach, and plenty of new faces have created fresh energy after a disappointing 2025 in C3. The mighty UFC Pirates have stormed out of the gate to start the year 4–0, already winning as many games as they did last year. The highlight of the season to date was the nail-biting eight point win over North Beach in Round 1. The coming weeks promise rematches against everyone in the six team D League, highlighted by a top of the table blockbuster against North Beach away. The leadership group of Gus Garland and Brad Applegate (co-captains), along with Tom Dowling (vice-captain), has been supported by natural improvement from second- and third year senior players such as Harry Dowling, Chris Vernon, Zac Reid, and Max Gray, as well as the return of 2024 Pirate flag winners William Beckwith, Shea Robertson and Daniel Dyer. This has helped create a strong team that is looking to challenge for the ultimate prize.
DINGOES – Alex White (3-2)
After claiming the flag last year, the Dingoes have started the season strongly at 3-2. Back in D-Grade, the side is enjoying the renewed challenge of facing longtime rivals like North Beach and Trinity Aquinas. The team has seen some change but still boasts plenty of experienced heads, with Ryan Williamson, Finn “Bulldogs Jersey” Liston, Blake “Blakey” Barrow, Sean “Teflon Don” Donovan and Erk “Greg Erskine” Dog all returning. Unfortunately, injuries have sidelined some key Dingoes, including Cohen Wunnenberg, Harry “Baby Hands” Leo, and two time premiership midfield hard nut Daniel “Greaty” Goodlife, all of whom are expected to be out for the next few months. The emergence of new talent—Hamish Dawson, Noah Sturgeon and Jack Allen—has gone a long way toward covering these losses.
The Dingoes dropped the opening match against North Beach as the group found its feet and gelled as a unit, before bouncing back with a win over North Fremantle, pulling clear only in the final five minutes thanks to some late heroics from Bray Lyon and Charlie Lennon. Ocean Ridge forfeited over the ANZAC Day weekend to protect their percentage, and the Dingoes rounded out the stretch by defeating CBC off some individual efforts from Tom Dempster and Conor Lloyd-Fox winning by one point, marking our first meeting since the opening round of the 2024 finals. With the Pirates back on the winners list in 2026 there is plenty of energy and talent in the Uni lower grades and looking forward to a successful year.
C COLTS – James Hodgman (4-1)
The Gulls have enjoyed a strong and exciting start to the season, highlighted by excellent turnout and engagement across the group. With over 40 players consistently training every Tuesday and Thursday, the energy around the squad has been outstanding. This year’s team has a fresh look, with only five players returning from last year’s Gulls side, making it an exciting period of growth as new faces come together and build cohesion both on and off the field. On the field, the boys have hit the ground running with an impressive 4–1 record to open the
season. Wins over North Beach, North Fremantle, and Ocean Ridge showcased the team’s potential and competitive edge, while a tough contest against Fremantle CBC resulted in our only loss so far.
The group has already produced a number of strong individual and team performances, building confidence and momentum early in the year. Our style of play has been a real highlight, with a fast, exciting brand of footy that looks to use the corridor and move the ball through the middle of the ground as much as possible. A major focus this season has also been on improving fitness, ensuring the boys can run out games stronger than in previous years and maintain intensity across four quarters. With clear improvement already showing, the group is building a solid foundation. Looking ahead, the goal is to continue developing as a team while making a strong push towards finals. With the commitment, depth, and energy within the squad, there is a genuine belief that this group can go a long way this season and hopefully bring a flag back to the Don.
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