Young talent on display in Goldfields Zone CarnivalWednesday, June 4, 2025 - 1:18 PM - by Jordan McArdle

Subiaco’s regional zones went head-to-head in Esperance over the WA Day long weekend, with the WAFL club’s talent manager Stuart Berryman impressed with the talent on display.

Berryman made mention to the ever-improving skills in the Youth Girls division, which he felt was getting stronger every year.

“I was really impressed with the skills from the girls footy which keeps getting stronger each year,” Berryman said after the annual two-day Zone Carnival between the Goldfields Football League and Esperance District Football Association.

Budding Youth Girls, Year 9 Boys and Year 10 Boys players took part in the carnival, with combined teams to be picked for the WAFL Regional Boys 15s Carnival and inaugural Girls Regional Carnival during the July school holidays.

Best-on-ground honours were awarded by Subiaco to a player from each team for all six games across the two days.

Phoebe Tucker, Jaxon Clynk, Jett Sheppard, Azarya Albert, Ozias Benny, Isaac Owen, Campbell Foster, Darcy Hunter, Sonny Tyler, Seth Del Caro, Jaymee Hooks and Mikalea Bettes were among the best for the Goldfields.

Eli Rickerby took two stunning marks for Esperance to cap off an exciting weekend for him which included best-afield honours for his team.

Ava Neill, Coby Guest, Oak Blakeney, Carta Tawhiao, Cordell Paparone, Brock Duckworth, Niamh Murphy and Everlee Major were also among the standouts for the hosts.

Goldfields won the Year 9 Boys and Youth Girls matches on day one, while the EDFA prevailed in the Year 10 Boys.

The GFL topped all three grades on day two.

“Talent across the board was really strong and there’s some really exciting players coming from our regional zone,” Berryman said.

The Goldfields Regional Zone Carnival has proven to be a great breeding ground over the years, with Melbourne utility and Esperance product Koltyn Tholstrup and West Coast goalsneak Malachi Champion, from the Goldfields, among the bigger names to compete.