IN Round 1 of the Simply Energy WAFL Colts competition, Claremont started its premiership defence with a solid 13-point victory over Subiaco at Leederville Oval. There were a number of players who stood out for both clubs in our featured game, below were the most notable.

>> SCROLL for around the ground standouts

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FEATURED GAME:
Subiaco vs. Claremont 

By: Lenny Fogliani

Subiaco:

#2 Jed Kemp

The nephew of West Coast great Dean Kemp, Jed was dynamic in the midfield and up forward for the Lions. He finished with 21 disposals, seven marks, three tackles, three inside 50s, and a goal in a dazzling display. His composure, decision-making and skills under serious duress were outstanding for someone his age.

#12 Matthew Johnson

The North Beach junior was outstanding through midfield for Subiaco. Playing as the centreman, Johnson racked up 24 disposals, recorded a game-high seven inside 50s, took six marks, laid four tackles, and kicked a goal in a powerful performance.

#13 Lachlan Vanirsen

A member of Subiaco’s Leadership group, Vanirsen tried his utmost to inspire the Lions to victory. He finished with a team-high 25 disposals, seven marks, six tackles, four inside 50s, and a goal in an inspiring performance. The highlight of his performance came in the third quarter when he kicked a running goal from 50 metres out to bring the Lions within 15 points of Claremont.

#34 Ezekiel Bolton

A cousin of Richmond premiership player Shai Bolton, Ezekiel was lively in the forward half for Subiaco. He gathered 11 disposals, laid four tackles, recorded four inside 50s, and kicked a goal.

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Claremont:

#2 Logan Young

The son of AFL Player Manager Colin Young, Young was outstanding in the midfield for the Tigers. He was a bull on the inside, winning 22 disposals and laying a game-high 12 tackles in a powerful performance.

#3 Zac Mainwaring

The son of the late Chris Mainwaring, Zac was terrific for the Tigers playing across the half-forward line. He finished with 15 disposals, four marks, four inside 50s, three tackles, and two goals in a phenomenal display. He set the tone early for his team, winning several holding-the-ball decisions after applying great defensive pressure.

#6 Cameron Anderson

The 2019 WA U18s State Academy member was dynamic on the wing for Claremont, finishing with 17 disposals, five marks, three tackles, two inside 50s, and a goal.

#10 Joel Western

Arguably the best player on the ground, Western showed why he is one of the players to watch out for in this year’s WAFL Colts competition. He finished with a game-high 29 disposals, four marks, four tackles, three inside 50s, and a goal. His desire to take the game on with his speed and skill execution went a long way towards Claremont winning the game.

>> AFL Draft Watch: Joel Western

#23 Jacob Van Rooyen

The Wembley Downs Junior was a powerful presence in the forward line for Claremont, as he always presented a target for his midfielders to kick to. Playing at centre half-forward, Van Rooyen finished with 15 possessions, five inside 50s, four marks, two tackles, and a goal.

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Around the grounds:

By: Michael Alvaro

Leading 2020 AFL Draft prospects Logan McDonald and Denver Grainger-Barras made their mark at League level, with the former booting three goals on debut. McDonald was terrific up forward for Perth in the Demons’ 10-point win over Peel, booting an equal game-high three goals from 16 disposals and four marks. Up the other end and for Swan Districts, Grainger-Barras took five marks in his eight-disposal effort.

Back in the Colts grade, South Fremantle edged passed the highly fancied East Fremantle Sharks with a consistent team performance. Jacob Plunkett booted three goals for the Bulldogs, while Oscar Armstrong and Clayton Riley both managed a team-high 19 disposals. Shannon Neale was also terrific with 15 disposals, seven marks, 15 hitouts, and a goal. For the Sharks, Finn Gorringe and Jack Carroll each managed 26 touches, followed by Chris Walker‘s 22. His twin brother, Brandon was kept to 14 disposals and five inside 50s.

Callum Johnson was terrific for West Perth in its big win over Swan Districts, amassing a game-high 34 disposals, including eight marks, eight tackles, and five inside 50s. Lochlan Paton was the Falcons’ next best with 24 touches, while bigman Michael Mallard was dominant with 20 disposals, five marks, and 33 hitouts. Among the academy prospects, Heath Chapman had 15 disposals in a revised role for West Perth, while Zane Trew (25 disposals, five tackles), Ty Sears (24 disposals, seven marks), and Rhett Bazzo (17 disposals, 11 marks) were solid in a losing effort for Swan Districts.

The final Colts fixture for the weekend saw Perth scrape over the line by five points against Peel, thanks largely to seven goals from Harry Quartermaine. He and Jack Evans (three goals) combined for all 10 of the Demons’ majors in a remarkable display, while Conor McPartland managed three behinds from his mammoth 40 disposals, eight tackles, and eight inside 50s. Nathan O’Driscoll was utilised in a revised role, laying six tackles and taking five marks from his 13 touches, while Zac Sanderson and Zak Meloncelli both cracked the 20-disposal mark.

There were no such goal exploits for the Thunder, though Jonathon Ietto snagged two majors. Leading prospect Isiah Winder accumulated a team-high 32 disposals to go with seven marks and seven tackles, with Zach Rankin and Bodie Kitchingman the next best on 21 touches apiece. State Academy prospects Luke Polson (18 disposals, three marks) and Tyler Nesbitt (16 disposals, five tackles) were also solid.

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Picture: Perth FC

>> 2020 Western Australia Under 18s Squad Prediction
>> July 2020 Power Rankings

Draft Diaries:
Zane Trew – Edition 1 | Edition 2
Jack Allen – Edition 1

AFL Draft Watch:
Heath Chapman
Denver Grainger-Barras
Logan McDonald
Nathan O’Driscoll
Brandon Walker
Joel Western

Marquee Matchups:
Kaine Baldwin vs. Denver Grainger-Barras
Oliver Davis vs. Zane Trew
Elijah Hollands vs. Nathan O’Driscoll