THIS week’s WAFL Colts match of the round was played between Claremont and Perth, with the Tigers continuing their unblemished premiership defence. Draft Central’s West Australian correspondent Lenny Fogliani was on hand to deliver a match report, and scouting notes on the most outstanding players throughout the clash.

>> SCROLL for scouting notes

—

MATCH REPORT:

Claremont remains undefeated in the 2020 Simply Energy WAFL Colts competition, after defeating the Perth Demons by 40 points at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Fremantle Dockers Next Generation Academy members Joel Western (24 possessions, three goals) and Samuel Alvarez (21 possessions, goal goal) starred for Claremont. They were well aided by Logan Young (27 possessions, 12 tackles), Zac Mainwaring (24 possessions, one goal), Jake Willson (21 possessions), Jacob Van Rooyen (15 possessions, two goals) and Kalin Lane (16 possessions, 22 hit-outs).

Perth’s Conor McPartland continued his magnificent season with another strong performance that saw him finish with 31 possessions, 14 tackles, five marks and four inside 50s. Zak Meloncelli (23 possessions, seven marks, seven tackles, four inside 50s), Deklyn Grocott (21 possessions, seven tackles), Zac Sanderson (19 possessions, six tackles) and Jaiden Hunter (18 possessions, 28 hit-outs) also competed strongly for the Demons.

In the early stages of the opening quarter, Mainwaring was able to break a tackle, before he spotted up Western inside attacking 50. Western then converted his set shot from 50 metres out on a difficult angle. Mainwaring then read the play well to get out the back and take an uncontested mark inside 50, before duly converting his set shot. Seconds before the quarter time siren, Oscar Morcombe took a great diving mark inside the Demons’ forward 50. He nailed the goal after the quarter-time siren to reduce the margin to four points.

Claremont’s Kieran Gowdie drilled through his first goal of the game early in the second quarter, after he took a strong contested mark inside 50. Western then kicked his second goal, when he collected the ball at about 55 metres out, before running to 45 metres and drilling through the goal. Moments later, Morcombe snapped through his second major. Just before half-time, Western added a third of his own, after he launched the ball from a set shot from just outside 50 metres.

After the main break, Daniel Hill was able to waltz into an open goal after taking an uncontested mark inside 50, reducing the margin to just seven points. Soon after, Dylan Mulligan spotted up Van Rooyen, who kicked his first goal from 40 metres out. Moments later, Van Rooyen cleanly collected the ball on the half-forward line, turned his opponent inside out, and then nailed his second goal. Gowdie then booted his second goal to give the Tigers a 25-point lead at three-quarter time.

Gowdie got proceedings underway in the fourth quarter, when he sent home a long-range set shot. Harry Quartermaine was able to take a contested mark inside Perth’s forward 50, before he duly converted for his first goal of the game. Jacquin Ciminata and Alvarez both kicked goals to put the cherry on top of the Tigers’ 40-point victory.

Next week, Claremont travels to New Choice Homes Park where the Tigers will take on a spirited East Fremantle outfit. On the other hand, Perth will be hosting a rampant Subiaco at Mineral Resources Park.

—

SCOUTING NOTES:

CLAREMONT

#2 Logan Young

The son of AFL Player Manager Colin Young, Logan was powerful in the midfield for Claremont, often using his big frame to bully his way around the stoppages. He finished with a team-high 27 possessions, a team-high 12 tackles, and four inside 50s.

#3 Zac Mainwaring

The son of the late Chris Mainwaring, Zac was dynamic for the Tigers, playing primarily as a forward pocket. He collected 24 possessions, took eight marks, recorded six inside 50s, laid four tackles and kicked a goal. One of the highlights of his game came early in the opening quarter, when he was able to break through a tackle before setting up Western for the opening goal of the game.

#4 Jake Willson

The Wembley Downs Junior was outstanding in the midfield for Claremont. Playing as the rover, Willson finished with 21 possessions, three tackles, two marks and two inside 50s.

#10 Joel Western

Returning from a hamstring injury, the Fremantle Dockers Next Generation Academy member was best afield for Claremont. He finished with 24 possessions, eight marks, five inside 50s, and three goals in a dazzling display as he looks to push back into top 30 AFL Draft contention.

#13 Samuel Alvarez

Another Fremantle Dockers Next Generation Academy member, Alvarez was dynamic on the wing for the Tigers, collecting 21 possessions, laying seven tackles, and kicking a goal in a brilliant performance.

#20 Logan Guelfi

The younger brother of current Essendon player Matt Guelfi, Logan was sensational on the half-forward flank for Claremont. He finished with 16 possessions, a game-high eight inside 50s and seven tackles.

#23 Jacob Van Rooyen

The 17-year-old continued his good form with another solid performance. Against Perth, Van Rooyen finished with 15 possessions, five tackles, three marks, three inside 50s and two goals. One of the highlights of his game came in the third quarter, when he turned his opponent inside out, before drilling through his second goal of the game.

#28 Kalin Lane

The Denmark-Walpole product showed why he is one of the most promising ruckmen in this year’s draft pool with a strong showing against Perth. Lane finished with 16 possessions, 22 hit-outs and seven tackles.

PERTH DEMONS

#4 Zak Meloncelli

The Perth captain was at his inspiring best, playing primarily across the half-back line. His ability to intercept Claremont’s attacking entries, before providing attacking drive was crucial for Perth. His final statistics were 23 possessions, seven marks, seven tackles and four inside 50s.

#7 Conor McPartland

The 2016 WA U15s State Schoolboys’ representative continued his stunning season with another sensational performance. He finished with a game-high 31 possessions, a game-high 14 tackles, five marks and four inside 50s.

#12 Oscar Morcombe

In just his sixth game of WAFL Colts football, Morcombe played an invaluable role for the Demons. Playing as a link-up forward, Morcombe finished with 16 possessions, three marks, three inside 50s, two tackles and two goals. The highlight of his game came late in the first quarter, when he took a great diving mark just before the quarter-time siren. He went back and duly converted his set shot, after the siren, to get the Demons within four points of Claremont.

#15 Zac Sanderson

Playing primarily across the half-back line, Sanderson continued his good form with another strong performance. He accumulated 19 possessions, laid six tackles, took four marks and recorded two inside 50s against the Tigers.

#24 Deklyn Grocott

The Bassendean junior was lively on the half forward flank for the Demons, finishing with 21 possessions, seven tackles, and five marks.

#48 Jaiden Hunter

The Applecross junior showed why he is the in-form ruckman of the Simply Energy WAFL Colts competition with another powerful performance. Hunter accumulated 18 possessions, won a game-high 28 hit-outs, took five marks and recorded four inside 50s. His prominence comes despite boasting a smaller frame than many of his opposing rucks.