Young Falcon Finds His Forward GrooveTuesday, April 22, 2025 - 10:37 AM

West Perth is home to plenty of young WAFL Colts talent in 2025, and key forward Judd Marcello is at the forefront.

The versatile emerging 18-year-old appears to have risen to another level this season, after playing as second fiddle in the Falcon’s forward line last year.

As a bottom ager in 2024, Marcello was developing behind AFL draft prospect and now Essendon Bomber Kayle Gerreyn. Whilst Gerreyn was the Falcon’s standout player last season, Marcello snuck under the radar at times, as did multiple West Perth prospects.

This didn’t stop the then 17-year-old from kicking 37 goals, the second most in the entire Colts competition, included several bags of five majors.

He also lead the league in behinds, proving that with some improvement in accuracy he is capable of a 50-goal campaign.

Marcello’s biggest strength is his ability to play both in the air and at ground level. As a key forward, it is unique to possess the chase down ability and hunt that Marcello does.

When the ball hits the deck, he is the first player running after it, or the player with it in their hands.

He applies pressure like not many big men can and is a force to be reckoned with for his brute tackling.

Aerially, the Whitford product can compete with anyone too.

He showed on many occasions last year how impressive his hands are in contests, bringing down superb clunks among talented defenders.

With West Perth expected to compete deep into the season, Marcello is a definite candidate to lead the competition for goals kicked.

Playing as a second option key forward, however, is not a role that brings a wealth of possessions.

While Gerreyn was gathering upwards of 30 touches in games last season, Marcello averaged just 10 disposals per game.

In the final game of the season though, the heartbreaking, after the siren semi-final loss to Swan Districts, he gathered 20 disposals to go with two goals in a performance that caught plenty of eyes.

In Marcello’s opening game of the 2025 season, he collected a whopping 26 disposals, took seven marks, laid seven tackles and kicked a goal.

It is another eye-catching showing that displays his ball-winning ability as the focal point of the side’s forward line.

If Marcello can continue to produce efforts like in Round 2’s loss to Perth, he will emerge as one of the most talented key forwards in the WAFL Colts, if he isn’t already.

Marcello of course has been touted by recruiters for a long time.

In 2023 he represented Western Australia the AFL Under-16 State Championships, kicking goals against South Australia and Vic Metro, and would be heavily favourited to be one of the key forwards selected in the Under 18 State Championships later this season.

Whilst West Perth have begun the year 1-2, Marcello missed the opening loss to Swan Districts and looked a level above in Round 2.

As the season progresses, Marcello is going to improve more and more, which, for a player already producing at the level he is, is a scary proposition.

Alongside some genuine AFL draft potential, the Falcons are not to be dismissed in the Colts competition, and Marcello will likely feature heavily in their 2025 run.

Keep an eye on Judd this year.

Article by Denholm Melrose