SUBIACO made more of its chances against Claremont in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) Colts competition, grinding out a 10-point victory in ridiculously wet conditions. The fourth placed Lions booted the only two goals of the first term, and by half-time had slotted 5.2 to 1.5 which was ultimately the difference. Though they did not kick a major in the second half – and Claremont booted two – the Tigers’ inability to put it through the big sticks saw the visitors unable to catch the Lions, and Subiaco won 5.8 (38) to 3.10 (28).

SUBIACO:

#3 Malakai Champion

The eye-catching Under 16s star did not have the most prolific day, but his talent was undeniable. He had a number of ‘almost moments’ throughout the game including an attempted snap on goal in the first term but could not connect cleanly, then had a dribble shot on goal in the final term which missed to the right. His most eye-catching play came late where he cleanly picked it off the deck, turned on a dime and kicked cleanly to half-forward.

#7 Jack Gouge

Performed industriously throughout the slog fest, often getting first hands to it from a Subiaco perspective and handballing cleanly out. He applied plenty of defensive pressure with seven tackles, but did have some potency forward of the ball, receiving the handball on the run in the second term and slotting the goal to put the Lions 21 points up with a few minutes left in the first half. He had a huge second half in terms of numbers, often winning them in tight and having to fire the ball out at ground level.

#10 Lance Collard

The bottom-age Lion covered the ground really well on his way to 22 disposals, including 20 kicks. He had a couple of shots on goal that just fell short and were rushed over, but worked hard into defence at times, even pulling out an ambitious torpedo during the first term. He won his share of clearances and was good off the deck all things considered, with nice clean work on the wing. At 180cm and 68kg he is a lightly framed player, but held his own.

#30 Dylan O’Dea

Another bottom-age prospect who was quite busy in the defensive 50 and ended up totalling the most disposals on his side with 24. He cleared the ball time and time again from the back 50, and even took a number of strong marks both in the defensive 50 and on the wing. He would assist with mopping up, but did get forward to have a flying shot on goal in the last quarter, only for it to go wide and be rushed through. O’Dea played to the conditions well.

#41 Riley Mayfield

The most impressive of the Lions’ bottom-agers, Mayfield was the difference between the sides with three first half goals sealing the result. What really stood out about Mayfield was his sticky hands, which resulted in five marks and four scoring shots, but also having score involvements and working up the ground. He is only 178cm but plays taller than that, as a lead out forward. He nailed his first goal of the fay from a set shot, then had two within nine minutes thanks to a snap off the left in the mud patch. His third came late in the second quarter after a near-miss, but his set shot was consistent despite the horrid conditions.

#45 Richard Bartlett

One of the few over-agers in the game, Bartlett was able to standout in the conditions credit to his clean hands at ground level. He kicked his one goal after soccering it off the deck inside 50, running hard, then playing on from a free kick to his teammate and snapping a goal midway through the second term. He would work up the ground to even intercept at half-back, and find himself loose on the wing on a number of occasions, then when forward looked dangerous and ever-creative inside 50.

CLAREMONT:

#5 Mitch Barron

Few players were more suited to the conditions than Barron who had racked up 15 disposals in 35 minutes in the mud. He thrived on the contested ball, using his power and strength to burrow in, win the hardball and fire it out to moving teammates, a clear best on ground in the first half. Not only was his defensive pressure and first-possession ability outstanding, but Barron was able to hit the scoreboard with a well-timed snap out of congestion inside 50. He consistently read the ball well off hands at the stoppages and continued to win it throughout the four quarters, but was far more tightly guarded by the Lions in the second half, finishing with 26 touches and 10 tackles.

#12 Sam van Rooyen

The younger brother of Jacob, van Rooyen did not have a massive amount of touches, but just had some moments to suggest there is potential there. He took a really strong grab at half-back early on, and received a free kick at the top of the forward 50 to put it to the goalsquare. Though playing forward, he roamed up the ground and while he did not nail a major, had a couple of behinds and looked lively that on a better day he could have capitalised on his chances. With 90 seconds left, van Rooyen had an opportunity in front of goal 35m out but tugged it to the right.

#14 Louis Tangney

Working in tandem with midfielder partner Barron, Tangney was able to win his own ball, often quick at ground level to win it and thump it long, playing to the muddy conditions. He was clean by hand and even took a two-grab mark on the wing, an impressive feat considering the 2005-born midfielder is just the 173cm. In the end. Tangney laid 10 tackles to really stand up against bigger bodies, whilst collecting 21 of his own disposals, including numerous clearances.

#25 Luke Brown

The 200cm top-ager was surprisingly impressive in a game where he had no right to be. Though still a lightly built forward, Brown did all the right things leading out and presenting strongly. He made a few mistakes such as a shank kick early and missing a couple of chances when presented with them early in the fourth, but was able to maintain his presence inside 50 and apply pressure. He had a number of snaps and finished with two behinds, but considering it was not a day for talls, Brown could be pleased with his effort.

#26 Rhori Williams-Jolley

Another Claremont midfielder who just cracked in from start to finish, Williams-Jolley finished with 19 disposals and a team-high 11 tackles, really adapting well to the slog. The over-age midfielder has the strength and power on the inside to impact a contest in those areas, and used the conditions to thump the ball down the ground to his forward’s advantage. In the third term, he went from midfielder to forward, snapping a much-needed goal in the final couple of minutes to give the Tigers hope heading into the last term. Not always the cleanest, Williams-Jolley at least was able to impact by doing all the right things in transition when going long down the ground.

AROUND THE GROUNDS:

Peel Thunder was pushed all the way by a gallant Perth outfit at Mineral Resources Park, with the weather-affected match on Saturday morning evening the potential of both sides. The Thunder are eyeing off a top two spot in the Colts competition, with Perth firmly inside the bottom four. But on the weekend, it was the Bombers who kept with the Thunder right up until the third term. A four-goal to two third quarter created some difference between the sides, and though the Bombers won the last term, went down by 13 points, 8.6 (54) to 6.5 (41).

Clay Hall had a day out for the thunder, amassing a whopping 36 disposals to go with three marks, five tackles and six inside 50s, whilst he had a number of supporting teammates. Taj Wyburd (27 disposals, two marks, two tackles and five inside 50s) and Joel Rush (27 disposals, three marks, three tackles and five inside 50s) were both busy, while Scott Tuia and Michael Sellwood were among the other key ball-winners. Jackson Klepzig (21 disposals, two goals) was one of four multiple goalkickers in the win, as State representative Deian Roberts picked up 16 disposals.

Oliver Zolnier-Owens had 26 disposals, five marks, four tackles, three inside 50s and a goal in a hard-working effort for Perth again, as Jack Poole (25 disposals, three marks, five tackles and five inside 50s), Samuel Cameron (22 disposals, three marks, nine tackles and three inside 50s) and Tyrese Warrell (20 disposals, five marks, two tackles, eight inside 50s and a goal) were both productive. Michael Hall slammed home three goals from 11 disposals, two marks and six tackles to be the Bombers’ main forward option.

There were less surprises during East Perth’s comfortable 32-point victory over Swan Districts. The Royals were inaccurate which was to be expected given the conditions at Steel Blue Oval, but still slotted 8.16 to the Swannies’ 4.8. A six goals to two first half really did all the damage, with just the four goals kicked between the sides in the second half, and critically it was 4.13 combined. East Perth had a massive 51 inside 50s to 29, and controlled play with a plus-65 in disposals (295-230), owning forward half possession.

It was an even team performance across the board for the Royals with Jordyn Baker (23 disposals, seven marks, nine tackles and three inside 50s), Lachlan Emmott (22 disposals, one mark, nine tackles and five inside 50s) and Darcy Miller (22 disposals, three marks, 10 tackles, five inside 50s and a goal) all standouts in the victory. Darcy Craven helped himself to 20 disposals, while Sokaa Soka battled well against a tag-team in the ruck on his way to 30 hitouts from eight disposals and three marks.

Swan Districts had a number of top performers despite the loss, with Under 16s MVP Chayse Martinson recording 17 disposals, two marks, five tackles and two inside 50s, while Thomas Cathcart was the start with 22 disposals, 21 of which were kicks. Luke Kelly was the standout for the Swans though, picking up 28 touches, four tackles, five inside 50s and a goal, while Jack Saunders managed 21 disposals, two marks, seven tackles and two inside 50s. Tom Smith (12 disposals, three marks, two tackles, 16 hitouts, three inside 50s and two behinds) had his chances rotating between ruck and forward.

In the final game of the round played at the WACA, the Fremantle derby saw South Fremantle take home the chocolates thanks to a three goals to nil final term to run over the top of East Fremantle. The Bulldogs were in trouble at different stages of the game, but were helped by the fact the Sharks failed to put on enough scoreboard pressure. Down by seven points at the last change, the fourth placed Bulldogs booted 3.1 to 0.1 to secure the 11-point victory, 5.5 (35) to 3.6 (24) and lock away a top four spot.

Jordan Douglas finished with the most disposals of any Bulldog, managing the 21, as well as 10 tackles, five inside 50s and a goal in the victory. Though his double-figure tackles might have seemed like a lot, his teammate Christian Wilson went double that, applying a massive 20 to accompany his 17 disposals and three inside 50s. Ashton Ferreira (12 disposals, 10 tackles) also got his hands dirty, while Jordan Rodriguez finished with 15 touches and six tackles. Luke Rockley (10 disposals, 32 hitouts worked hard through the ruck.

James Spadanuda amassed 22 disposals, seven tackles, three inside 50s and a goal for the Sharks, as Jack Johnston picked up the 21 touches, five inside 50s and laid nine tackles. Jayke Scott (19 disposals, three marks, three tackles and a goal) as lively, while Luke Yeo helped himself to 17 touches and 11 tackles, sharing the pressure with Luca Gangemi (16 disposals, 13 tackles. Darcy Wills had a great battle through the ruck against Rockley, recording 34 hitouts with his eight disposals, three tackles and two inside 50s.