IN WEEK one of the Simply Energy WAFL Colts Finals Series, Claremont defeated Subiaco by 15 points to advance through to the Grand Final, while East Fremantle knocked off West Perth to earn a spot in week two.

Below were the standout players from either game. Please consider that each set of notes showcases the opinions of our scouts individually, and there are only so many players we can keep an eye on each week.

>> Power Rankings: September Edition

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Claremont vs. Subiaco

By: Lenny Fogliani

Claremont:

#2 Logan Young

The son of AFL player manager Colin Young, Logan was at his powerful best in the midfield. He finished with 26 possessions (14 contested), 10 clearances, 9 tackles, 3 marks and 3 inside 50s.

#4 Jake Willson

The Wembley Downs junior continued his stunning season with another accomplished performance. He accumulated 22 possessions (12 contested), laid a game-high 11 tackles, grabbed 3 marks, won 2 clearances and kicked a goal.

#10 Joel Western

The Fremantle Dockers’ Next Generation Academy member was electric in the middle for the Tigers. He finished with 24 possessions (12 contested), 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebounding 50s, 2 marks and a goal.

#20 Logan Guelfi

The younger brother of Essendon’s Matt Guelfi, Logan was dynamic on the half-forward flank for the Tigers. He accumulated 16 possessions (7 contested), recorded 5 inside 50s and kicked a goal.

#21 Jack Avery

The Cottesloe junior was rock-solid in defence for Claremont, finishing with 20 possessions (8 contested), 7 marks (3 contested), 5 rebounding 50s, and 3 tackles.

#23 Jacob Van Rooyen

The 17-year-old was arguably best afield, after he finished with 14 possessions (9 contested), 7 marks (5 contested), 7 inside 50s, 2 tackles and 2 goals. The only blemish on his performance were his three behinds.

#28 Kalin Lane

The Denmark-Walpole product was inspirational in the ruck for Claremont. He gathered 16 possessions (13 contested), won 39 hit-outs, accomplished 10 clearances, recorded 3 inside 50s, and laid 3 tackles.

>> MORE CLAREMONT CONTENT

Subiaco:

#2 Jed Kemp

The nephew of West Coast great Dean Kemp was fantastic for Subiaco, finishing with 19 possessions (13 contested), 10 tackles, 7 clearances, and a goal.

#8 Jaxon McGowan

The Kingsway junior was excellent in defence for Subiaco. He accumulated 14 possessions (6 contested), took 3 marks, and recorded 3 rebounding 50s and 2 inside 50s.

#12 Matthew Johnson

The North Beach junior worked tirelessly for the Lions, finishing with 17 possessions (13 contested), 9 tackles, 4 clearances and a goal.

#22 Blake Morris

The Kingsley junior was exceptional in defence for the Lions. He collected 16 possessions (9 contested), took 4 marks, laid 3 tackles, and recorded 3 inside 50s and 2 rebounding 50s.

#41 Tyler Brockman

The cousin of former Fremantle and Gold Coast player Greg Broughton, Brockman was terrific in the midfield for the Lions. He finished with 15 possessions (6 contested), 4 tackles, 3 clearances and 2 inside 50s.

>> MORE SUBIACO CONTENT

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West Perth vs. East Fremantle

By: Ed Pascoe

West Perth:

#6 Callum Johnson

Johnson’s strong season was recently rewarded with the 19-year-old earning selection for the WA All-Stars game. He continued to do what he has done best this year, and that’s win plenty of the ball around stoppages, where he has shown a great partnership with ruckman Michael Mallard. The conditions suited Johnson with the wet weather and regular stoppages allowed him to to show what he does best – win clearances and show his attacking mindset in winning the hard ball. He finished the game with 28 disposals and 9 tackles. 22 of his disposals were kicks, showing his smarts to get ball on boot in the wet weather.

#14 Lochlan Paton

The talented bottom-age midfielder earned selection in the WA All-Star games and although he played forward for West Perth in this game, he still managed to show why he is rated highly going into his draft year in 2021. The dynamic Paton always looked dangerous whenever the ball went his way inside 50, usually darting around opponents and making things happen. In one certain play during the first quarter, he would use a sort of karate kick to nudge the ball over his head, just showing how dynamic he can be. Paton really stood out with his clean hands in the poor conditions and you could certainly see his midfield traits coming to the fold. He didn’t kick and goals but always looked a threat and finished the game with 11 disposals and 5 marks.

#17 Logan Foley

The strong bodied Foley certainly has his fans, earning selection in the WA All-Stars squad, and he played an important role as a tall forward who would help relieve Michael Mallard in the ruck. What really surprised in his short time rucking was how clean his taps were to his teammates, especially in the conditions. He used his body well at stoppages to help protect the fall of the ball, too. Foley didn’t hit the scoreboard and the conditions certainly didn’t suit big forwards, but he showed some good signs finishing the game with 8 disposals and 7 hit-outs.

#18 Corey Rundle

It was tough going for Rundle, who remains the leading goalkicker in the Colts. He was opposed by fellow WA All-Star representative Keanu Haddow in what was a great battle all day. Rundle started the game well with a strong mark close to goal and nailing the set shot. He had a chance later in the quarter running into goal, but he was pressured and just missed. Haddow did a great job of keeping Rundle quiet for the next few quarters, with the conditions and East Fremantle’s team defence really making life hard for Rundle. He had one last highlight in the last quarter, showing nice movement and snapping to the hot spot which almost bounced into goal anyway, but alas would be a behind. Rundle finished the game with 4 disposals and kicking 1.2.

#19 Kellen Johnson

The conditions didn’t suit West Perth’s twin interceptors Heath Chapman and Johnson, and it was apparent early when Johnson couldn’t get his hands on the ball. But as the game went on, he got involved in other ways and as good defenders do – defending with strong tackles and timely spoils. Speaking of tackles and spoils, he laid a certain goal-saving tackle in the second quarter and numerous spoils in the third, using his strong ability to read the play. It was nice to see Johnson do the team things and not worry too much about winning intercepts and playing the flashier role. He did what needed to be done and finished the game with 7 disposals and 3 tackles.

#24 Michael Mallard

Ruckmen come into their own in the wet conditions, especially a player of Mallards size and skill. He was enormous in the ruck, winning plenty of hit-outs and showing a good relationship between his midfielders, especially Callum Johnson. Mallard, for his size, showed great movement and skill with ball in hand and was hardly a slouch when not rucking, using his big left boot to good effect. He had a nice bit of play in the second quarter, taking a nice intercept mark and even taking the player on that was on the mark. Mallard did his best to try and get his side over the line and he finished with 9 disposals, 3 marks and a whopping 49 hit outs as he builds to the WA All-Star games to come.

#25 Heath Chapman

Not the best conditions for the highly rated Chapman to show his best features, which are his clean hands overhead and intercept marking. He had a slow start but worked into he game nicely in the second half. He was clean with his handling of the ball in one instance, but missed the handball, but it was impressive to see him work hard to make up for the mistake. He took a few nice intercept marks despite the conditions and to make up for the lack of marking, he showed great elusiveness and rebound from defence – usually using the ball well by foot and unafraid to take the game on. Chapman finished the game with 16 disposals and 6 marks which was decent considering the conditions.

>> MORE WEST PERTH CONTENT

East Fremantle:

#3 Corey Warner

The younger brother of 2019 Swans draftee Chad Warner proved he is a great prospect for the 2021 draft, as the young midfielder was arguably best on ground in an impressive display, playing forward and on the wing. Playing most of the year with his school team Aquinas, he has come into the East Fremantle Colts team at a timely time and he was pivotal in their victory over West Perth. He set the scene early with a nice gather and snap goal and he just looked dangerous for the whole quarter, looking clean and sharp in the wet conditions. He played the rest of the first half with plenty of enthusiasm, moving the ball quickly and tackling hard. His best highlight, however, came in the third quarter when he executed a Dusty Martin-like don’t argue which was impressive for his size. He also laid a great tackle in the same quarter winning the free kick in defence. Warner was impressive with his skill, tenacity, and eagerness to get involved all day. He finished the game with 24 disposals, 4 tackles and a goal.

#6 Joshua Browne

Starting the year down back playing as a silky rebound defender, he has become an impressive ball winning midfielder in recent weeks. Not unlike former East Fremantle player Trent Rivers, who has been impressive for Melbourne this year, Browne looks classy with ball in hand and is a nice size to play a range of roles. He did it all, winning plenty of clearances but also getting on the outside to take marks and set up play with his nice kicking and execution by hand, which was most impressive in-tight. He had a nice bit of play in the third quarter weaving through multiple opponents with ease, but would sadly turn the ball over by foot in a rare skill error for him. Browne was sensational and he proved why he was one of 10 bottom-age players to be selected to play in the WA All-Star games, finishing the game with a game high 28 disposals to go with 5 marks and 8 tackles in a complete midfield display.

#7 Chris Walker

Both he and his twin brother, Brandon had an influence, with Chris causing havoc up forward. He would kick a nice goal in the first quarter after winning a high free kick and slotting the set shot in very wet conditions. One of his concerns thoughout the day was his fumbles and he would drop an easy chest mark in the second quarter, but he still did well to keep involved throughout the game and would finish his game nicely with a dribble goal in the last quarter. The Fremantle NGA prospect finished with 14 disposals and kicked 2.1 in a solid outing.

#8 Finn Gorringe

Along with teammates Warner and Browne you could say Gorringe was one of the best players on the day, with his skills and intercept work down back proving important in the wet and tough conditions. Gorringe was often trusted with the kick-outs where he did well with his long and accurate kicking being used in general play as well. His ability to get to the right spots and stay composed was certainly impressive as it seemed he was always in the way when West Perth was attacking. With so many players rushing their disposals, he set the tone for his team in staying composed and using the ball well, and that style of play is what gave East Fremantle the edge. Gorringe finished the game with 24 disposals and 10 marks and he is really starting to make the backline role his own after starting the season as a bustling inside midfielder.

#9 Brandon Walker

He and his twin brother Chris proved a handful, with Brandon playing his preferred role down back. His confidence with ball in hand and clean hands certainly caught the eye as the Fremantle NGA prospect continues to have a strong season. Walker had most of his highlights in the second half, starting with an impressive contested mark especially in the conditions. The last quarter was Walker at his best, starting with a strong tackle that was rewarded, and he would soon after take an impressive intercept mark. Another great moment was when he was told to play on in defence and somehow was able to pull off a don’t argue on one opponent coming from the side, and then evade his way around another in a classy bit of play that really showed his mix of class and athleticism – both of which make him such a good prospect. Walker finished the game with 19 disposals and 5 marks.

#10 Jed Hagan

It’s hard to believe Hagan wont be draft eligible until 2022 and he certainly looks to be WA’s leading contender for that draft. He started the game on fire winning, plenty of the ball and despite his age, he already has a solid frame and a tough attitude to excel in the wet conditions. Hagan’s disposal was often very good, especially his kicking in the wet conditions while not always taking the safe option. He faded a little in the seconf half but he was still able to show why he is such an exciting prospect for the future. He finished the game with 14 disposals and 5 tackles.

#13 Keanu Haddow

Haddow had the tough role playing on the Colts leading goal scorer in Rundle, and you could say he got the better of him, keeping the talented forward to only 1 goal. He didn’t get much of the ball early but he had some nice defensive efforts and timely spoils against Rundle. His intercept game is very strong and it really started to come to the fold in the last quarter once the game was just about done and dusted. He just played his normal game and had the ball on a string, getting up the ground but when it was his turn to defend he still did so, taking a very impressive mark against Rundle. The Fremantle NGA prospect finished the game with 23 disposals and 8 marks and while his intercept game and defensive efforts are outstanding, he will need to work on his kicking – especially close to goal as he has a few nervous moments every game. If he cleans up this side of his game, it will go a long way to Fremantle committing to him at the end of the year.

>> MORE EAST FREMANTLE CONTENT

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Featured Image: Claremont’s Joel Western celebrates with teammates | Source: (Retrieved from) Claremont Football Club via Facebook