TOPIC:

Given my interest in the development side of the game I thought I would ask folk t put forward three players who at colts, development or the old schoolboy level were outstanding but never really made it at league level.

Kevin Humphries was just a brilliant junior, debuted same day as Wirrapunda but could only manage 5 games.

Three that never went on from colts due to a range of reasons but were very good - David Maroni, Josh Maguire and Chris Bagshaw.

I played footy with Paul Bowen (son of Sandover Medalist Laurie, and long time GM of Channel 9 in Perth), and he was probably the best schoolboy player I saw or played with.

He was a state schoolboy rep, but as far as I know, he never got past colts/3rds at Swan Districts.

Not quite fitting your criteria Grump but I played juniors with a guy called Ray Stewart. Was All Australian state schoolboy captain in the early 70's and virtually went straight from under age footy to play a couple of colts then league for South Freo at 16 years of age from memory. Only played a handful of senior games and broke his ankle down at Freo Oval one day and that was his career over. Reckon he could have been anything given the opportunity and was certainly the best junior I've ever seen.

Good topic Grump.
Gee there has been a few that havent gone on with the enormous promise they showed as youngsters for whatever reason....injury, form, work, interests?!
A couple of Colts players from the 80s who were All Australian Teal Cup players for WA but to my knowledge never played League footy were Bruce Edwards (SF) & Peter Torpy (SU).

Terry Eaton won back to back Prendergast Medals 1974/1975.
Great player but found it hard cracking a game in a cracking side.

Michael Van De Klashorst. Was a young star with the football world at his feet. Played 6 league games in 2006 and returned impressive stats. Unfortunately saw playing with his mates in ammos more appealing than pursuing an AFL career. What a waste but I hope he's had a happy and successful career since.

waflfootyfacts.net/player/stats.php?PlayerID=6563

Grump wrote: Given my interest in the development side of the game I thought I would ask folk t put forward three players who at colts, development or the old schoolboy level were outstanding but never really made it at league level.

Kevin Humphries was just a brilliant junior, debuted same day as Wirrapunda but could only manage 5 games.

Three that never went on from colts due to a range of reasons but were very good - David Maroni, Josh Maguire and Chris Bagshaw.

Grump those three you named....were they EP boys?....played junior footy with a Paul Bagshaw...he was a beauty....he actually did an ashes tour with the Aboriginal Cricket side back in the 80's or 90's from memory....played also with the McGuire boys.....Claude and Barry were all talented players, dominated EP junior footy as well school footy in my junior days early - mid 80's


For the Perth boys Tony Papotto was an outstanding junior district player at EP, actually played most of his league footy with Perth tho...not sure how many games, but way less than what he should of done.....he rivalled David Bain and Richard Dennis at Cyril Jackson High school for best footballer back in the early 80's....and those two boys went on to play at the highest level achieving honours.

Freezin, Yep they were EP boys, Chris is Pauls brother and a equally good cricketer but had a a health issue that stopped him in his tracks. Josh just like playing with mates.

Met up with Tony at the Life members day, really nice fella. I think he went to Perth around the same time as Dean Bertram

John Garnett and Clayton Van Den Dungen from EP Grump were very good Colts boys who never kicked on in League footy.

Greg Turner from SF was one who looked like he could be a star as a 17yo coming into League footy at the same time as a 16yo boy wonder Glen Jakovich but unlike Jako he never really went on with it.