Whan’s Wish Is Premiership GloryWednesday, September 17, 2025 - 11:51 AM

Exciting AFL prospect Toby Whan has his sights on winning a premiership with South Fremantle having claimed the Jack Clarke Medal for the fairest and best player in the EGT Colts competition.

Whan shared the medal alongside East Fremantle’s Tom Grylls with both players polling 15 votes.

The Bulldogs midfielder and Fremantle Dockers NGA prospect was prolific in 2025, averaging 28.9 disposals and booting a goal per game.

Whan had multiple standout performances, including in Round 18 where he produced a 41-disposal and four-goal effort.

Whan was more than happy to be a joint winner of the Jack Clarke Medal.

“Really proud for sure and it’s a huge honour to be announced as one of the winners of Jack Clarke Medal with Tom Grylls,’ said Whan.

‘He is a great player and after a year he’s had there was no way he wasn’t going to be up the top and I’m grateful to be up there with him.”

Whan was also satisfied with his year with the Bulldogs.

“I have been really happy with my season, and I feel like I have had a fairly consistent year through the colts,” he said.

“It has been so good to be playing in such a good team down at the kennel, we’ve had a cracking year so far and couldn’t be more proud of the boys.

“Also playing state footy was a huge honour and although I didn’t perform as well I would have liked I loved playing with all the boys and creating some great friendships and some good memories.”

The 18 year-old wants to create more memories in Sunday’s Grand Final.

“It is a big week ahead with the Grand Final on Sunday, but I will try and keep myself really level and not let any worries interfere with my preparation, Whan said.

“I don’t think I have been this excited since I was a little tacker waking up for Christmas.

I’m so keen to be running out on Grand Final day alongside all the boys and couldn’t ask for a better group to be doing it with.”

Whan’s focus will take another turn after the weekend as he looks ahead to the AFL Draft.

“I guess it’s getting to the exiting part of the year but will be making sure I’m not get ahead of myself,” he said.

“Once the season is over after this weekend I will be heading back to the state training for the combine which will be a great opportunity to showcase myself and hopefully put myself in a good spot for later on in the year.

“It has been awesome being a part of the Fremantle NGA and I’m really lucky to qualify for that.

“The program has been great for my development with some great coaching from the likes of Roger Hayden.”

South Fremantle has been the dominant side this season, ending the home and away season in top spot with 12 wins and four defeats before defeating East Fremantle by 30 points in the Second Semi Final.

Whan and the Bulldogs will face the Tigers in the decider after Claremont defeated East Fremantle in the Preliminary Final by 15 points.

Claremont finished the season in third position with a record of nine wins and seven losses.

The last time these clubs met was in Round 13 when the Tigers upset the Bulldogs by six points with Harper Banfield collecting 27 disposals and Val Davies kicking three goals.

Coached by Ricki Smith, Claremont is chasing three consecutive premierships to continue its remarkable record at colts level.

The club is about to play in its sixth Grand Final in the past seven years.