Colledge bounces back from Foxtel hit

UPDATE: Promising West Coast youngster Brant Colledge has been cleared of any serious damage after being knocked unconscious during a heavy collision playing for East Perth in last night’s Foxtel Cup win at Patersons Stadium.

The 19-year-old had to be rushed to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital after being on the receiving end of a knee to the head from Eagles teammate Scott Lycett in the dying stages of the 50-point triumph over SANFL club Norwood.

Scans have since shown the young forward has not suffered any facial fractures.

Colledge has got off with a bout of concussion and a laceration under one of his eyes.

He will be given several days off by West Coast to recover and is not expected to line up for the Royals in Monday’s WA Day derby against West Perth at Arena Joondalup.

East Perth charged into the Foxtel Cup semifinals with a comprehensive 50-point thrashing of an undermanned Norwood.

Key forward Josh Smith returned from an ankle injury and kicked a goal in the Royals’ 9.11 (65) to 2.3 (15) victory, their first in the interstate knockout competition since May 2011.

The game was a walk in the park for East Perth, who will meet VFL powerhouse Williamstown in a semifinal next month.

Silky forward Garry Moss had been named to make his long-awaited return from a serious knee injury but was a late withdrawal from a strong Royals team before bouncedown.

Ten West Coast players featured in the line-up, which started as a short-priced favourite against an inexperienced Norwood side.

The difference in class was noticeable early, with East Perth quickly asserting their authority.

The Royals held Norwood goalless in the first half and took a commanding 40-point lead at the main break.

The Redlegs finally broke through for their first major when captain Simon Phillips snapped truly early in the third quarter.

But they were no match for their better credentialed opponents.

The game became spiteful in the final quarter when a large melee broke out.

West Coast forward Simon Tunbridge booted two majors for the Royals, who were well served by midfielders Freddie Clutterbuck (20 possessions) and Brendan Lee (16), and ruckman Paul Johnson.

The result kept alive the chances of what would be a high-profile Foxtel Cup grand final between arch rivals East Perth and West Perth.

The Falcons will start favourites against Launceston’s Western Storm in the other semifinal.

Meanwhile, South Fremantle veteran Kris Miller will play his final game in the WA Day derby against East Fremantle at Fremantle Oval on Monday.

The match will be Miller’s 150th for the Bulldogs, earning him life membership at the club he joined in 2007.

Miller is also a life member of East Fremantle, having played 153 games for the Sharks after making his league debut in 1999.

The former West Coast rookie is the sixth player to reach 300 WAFL games and will be the first to play 150 at two separate clubs.

Clancy Wheeler is available for Subiaco’s clash with Claremont on Monday after his striking charge was dismissed by the WAFL tribunal last night.

Wheeler was booked over an incident involving West Perth’s Nic Rodda last week.

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