Hair apparent: West Coast Eagles train-on Kade Dittmar making a statement as he battles for list spot

As he fights for one of the final spots on the West Coast Eagles’ playing list for next season, Margaret River young gun Kade Dittmar is making waves not only with his ability in the midfield, but for his flowing blonde locks. Dittmar’s blonde mullet has been a hit among fans and teammates and the 18-year-old has had the chance to test himself against some of the game’s best, rubbing shoulders with captain and Norm Smith medallist Luke Shuey, playing on premiership defender Tom Cole during a tackling drill and even going head-to-head with best and fairest winner and cult hero Nic Natanui. The pair’s tackling duel made for incredible images, with the ruckman’s long brown dreadlocks a stark contrast to the youngster’s peroxide hair. The shock retirement of fan favourite Brad Sheppard in the off-season has opened up a second list spot for the Eagles to play with. Dittmar and former Fremantle Dockers and current East Fremantle ruckman Luke Strnadica are vying for the two spots, but there is still a chance the club may elect to hold one of the vacancies, allowing them to enter the mid-season draft. The supplementary selection period allows players who missed out on being picked up in the draft a chance to land themselves on a list right up until the beginning of the season. If he was to win one of the remaining spots, Dittmar would become the fourth South West product to head to a club this year, joining Busselton’s Jye Amiss and James Tunstill and Harvey’s Brady Hough at clubs. He would also be the first Margaret River product since Hawthorn premiership hero Ben Stratton in 2009.