DAY 1 WRAP | Great Northern and Great Southern Storm Set the Pace on Opening Day of CBH Colts Championships

The opening day of the 2026 CBH Colts Country Championships delivered a fantastic start to this year’s carnival, with matches played across Scotch College and Guildford Grammar Schools.

Teams from across regional Western Australia showcased the passion, pride and talent that make the Country Championships one of the highlights of the football calendar, setting the stage for an exciting Finals Day.

Division 1

Great Northern emerged as the team to beat after finishing the opening day undefeated to book their place in Friday’s Division 1 Grand Final.

The blue and white outfit opened their campaign with a convincing 30-point victory over newly promoted Regional Districts before producing the match of the day, holding off South West by just four points in a high-quality contest. Leon Jnr Jones proved the difference with three first-half goals, including a major after the siren to close the opening half.

South West rebounded strongly after that narrow defeat. The regular powerhouse opened its campaign by gaining revenge over reigning premiers Peel with a 20-point win before finishing the day with a commanding 36-point victory over Regional Districts to secure its place in another Division 1 decider.

Peel recovered from its opening-round loss to South West in dramatic fashion, overturning a 23-point half-time deficit to defeat Regional Districts by nine points. Despite the momentum, Peel fell just short against Great Northern in the final match of the day, losing by five points and finishing third.

Regional Districts, competing in Division 1 after earning promotion in 2025, battled hard throughout the day but were unable to register a victory and will now face Peel in the Division 1 playoff.

Division 2

Great Southern Storm stamped themselves as genuine title contenders, winning all three of their matches to finish the day undefeated and earn a place in the Division 2 Grand Final.

The Storm accounted for Kimberley, Mortlock/Avon and West Pilbara with a balanced team performance built around their key-position strength. Ruckman Jonti Catterall impressed throughout the day, while Thomas Phillips provided a reliable focal point in attack. Buddy Robinson was influential across half-forward, while co-captain Ned Shepherd and Devon Jefferis consistently created opportunities inside 50.

One of the highlights of the day came in the thrilling clash between Kimberley Spirit and West Pilbara Pythons, with Kimberley prevailing by just five points in an entertaining contest.

West Pilbara were well served by dashing defender Kayd Cooper-Gibson, towering forward-ruck Cale Buzzard and running midfielder Brock Edwards, whose work rate made him one of the most consistent performers across the opening day.

Kimberley’s exciting lineup featured standout performances from Kye Pindan, Jock Mosquito and Carl Rex, while Lachie Hearsch impressed across half-back with his ability to intercept and read the play.

Mortlock/Avon finished the day on a high by defeating Kimberley in another close encounter. State 16s squad member Luke Websdale Jnr provided a strong physical presence around the ground, while skipper Beau Vellios led from the front through the midfield.

Standout Performers

Several players produced outstanding performances across the opening day, including:

• Leon Jnr Jones (Great Northern), whose five goals across the day included a match-winning display against South West.
• Thomas Phillips (Great Southern Storm), who kicked five goals across three matches.
• Ned Shepherd (Great Southern Storm), who was lively around goal and among the Storm’s best in multiple games.
• Brock Edwards (West Pilbara Pythons), whose endurance and ball-winning ability stood out throughout the day.
• Beau Vellios (Mortlock/Avon), who inspired his side in their crucial victory over Kimberley.
• Kye Pindan and Jock Mosquito (Kimberley), who consistently featured among their side’s best players.

Day 2 Fixtures

Championship honours will be decided tomorrow.

9:00AM Division 2 – 3 v 4

Avon/ Mortlock vs Kimberley

10:50AM Division 1 – 3 v 4 (Play Off)

Peel vs Regional Districts

12:45PM Division 2 Grand Final

Great Southern Storm vs West Pilbara Pythons

3:00PM Division 1 Grand Final

Great Northern vs South West

With championship silverware on the line, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the 2026 CBH Colts Country Championships.

All Results

CBH Colts – Division 1

Game 1

Regional Districts: 2.2, 2.5 (17)

Great Norther: 4.3, 7.5 (47)

GOALS: Regional Districts: H. Clegg 1, J. Wood 1,

GOALS: Great Northern: J. Taylor 2, S. Nelly 2, S. Carnamah Jnr 1, B. McDonald 1, L. Jones 1,

BEST: Regional Districts: T. Tate, Z. Openshaw, N. Crawley, C. Brown,

BEST: Great Northern: R. Evans, R. Heberle, J. Taylor, E. Grigsby,

Game 2

South West: 3.1, 6.1 (37)

Peel: 1.2, 2.5 (17)

GOALS: South West: T. Reid 1, L. Fairweather 1, J. Fry 1, T. Buswell 1, T. Murphy 1, T. Houlahan 1,

GOALS: Peel: E. Serjeant 1, B. Bennell 1,

BEST: South West: R. Gardiner, T. Houlahan, J. Fry, T. McGee,

BEST: Peel: C. Andrews, A. Pryce, E. Serjeant, O. Spain,

Game 3

South West: 0.3, 3.6 (24)

Great Northern: 4.2, 4.4 (28)

GOALS: South West: K. Downes 1, S. Groenenberg 1, N. Stewart 1,

GOALS: Great Northern: L. Jones 3, S. Nelly 1,

BEST: South West: S. Groenenberg, R. Johnstone, N. Stewart, T. Buswell,

BEST: Great Northern: R. Evans, L. Jones, E. Grigsby, S. Nelly,

Game 4

Regional Districts: 6.1, 6.3 (39)

Peel: 2.2, 7.6 (48)

GOALS: Regional Districts: W. Narducci 2, H. Clegg 1, k. mcginty 1, T. Tate 1, B. Pauley 1,

GOALS: Peel: E. Serjeant 2, J. Mitchell 2, K. Clements 1, O. Spain 1, D. Sleath 1,

BEST: Regional Districts: k. mcginty, C. Brown, T. Coughlan, W. Narducci

BEST: Peel: M. Hicks, A. Lekias, O. Spain, R. Crowd,

Game 5

Regional Districts: 1.1, 4.2 (26)

South West: 6.1, 10.2 (62)

GOALS: Regional Districts: W. Narducci 2, H. Clegg 1,

GOALS: South West: J. Fry 3, D. Scott 2, R. Gardiner 2, T. Reid 1, T. Murphy 1,

BEST: Regional Districts: Z. Openshaw, T. Coughlan, T. Tate, B. Pauley,

BEST: South West: T. Beauclarke, K. Downes, R. Gardiner, D. Scott,

Game 6

Great Northern: 2.1, 3.1 (19)

Peel: 0.1, 2.3 (15)

GOALS: Great Northern: M. Moore 2, L. Jones 1,

GOALS: Peel : J. Mitchell 2,

BEST: Great Northern: J. Hagan, L. Jones, A. Mosiejuk, B. McDonald,

BEST: Peel: O. Spain, C. Andrews, A. Lekias, J. Mitchell,

CBH Colts – Division 2

Game 1

West Pilbara Pythons: 2.5, 5.8 (38)

Mortlock/Avon: 0.1, 1.2 (8)

GOALS: West Pilbara Pythons: C. Buzzard 2, k. jackson 1, B. Edwards 1,

GOALS: Mortlock/Avon: M. Barr 1,

BEST: West Pilbara Pythons: C. Buzzard, K. Narrier, W. Muscat,

BEST: Mortlock/Avon Colts: M. Barr, B. Vellios, J. Nicholls,

Game 2

Kimberley: 1.3, 3.5 (23)

Great Southern Storm: 3.3, 6.4 (40)

GOALS: Kimberley: J. Mosquito 2, K. Pindan 1,

GOALS: Great Southern Storm: T. Phillips 3, B. Curtis 2, D. Jefferis 1,

BEST: Kimberley: K. Pindan, L. Hearsch, J. Mosquito,

BEST: Great Southern Storm: M. Webster, B. Michael, R. Hick,

Game 3

Mortlock/Avon: 1.2, 1.2 (8)

Great Southern Storm: 3.4, 6.7 (43)

GOALS: Mortlock/Avon: A. Forsyth 1,

GOALS: Great Southern Storm: N. Shepherd 2, C. Harrington 1, B. Curtis 1, T. Phillips 1, M. Mastalerz 1,

BEST: Mortlock/Avon: R. Murray, N. Schlaghecke, S. Syred,

BEST: Great Southern Storm: N. Shepherd, T. Woods, M. Webster,

Game 4

West Pilbara Pythons: 1.3, 3.6 (24)

Kimberley: 3.3, 4.5 (29)

GOALS: West Pilbara Pythons: B. Edwards 1, k. mcphee 1, C. Buzzard 1,

GOALS: Kimberley: L. Dickens 2, C. Rex 1, G. Bedford 1,

BEST: West Pilbara Pythons: J. Mertens, B. Edwards, K. Gibson cooper,

BEST: Kimberley: E. Corpus, L. Hearsch, L. Dickens,

Game 5

West Pilbara Pythons: 0.3, 2.3 (15)

Great Southern Storm : 5.4, 6.5 (41)

GOALS: West Pilbara Pythons: W. Muscat 1, K. Gibson cooper 1,

GOALS: Great Southern Storm: D. Jefferis 2, B. Michael 1, N. Shepherd 1, R. Hick 1, T. Bradshaw 1,

BEST: West Pilbara Pythons: B. Brittain, J. Mertens, . ,

BEST: Great Southern Storm : T. Woods, D. Roberts, C. Harrington,

Game 6

Mortlock/Avon: 2.2, 5.4 (34)

Kimberley : 1.5, 4.7 (31)

GOALS: Mortlock/Avon: B. Vellios 2, J. Hughes 1, A. McAullay 1, M. Quartermaine 1,

GOALS: Kimberley: D. Mick 1, I. Brown 1, J. Mosquito 1, G. Bedford 1,

BEST: Mortlock/Avon: R. Murray, B. Vellios, X. Mckie,

BEST: Kimberley: D. Mick, K. Pindan, G. Bedford,