CLAREMONT shot to the top of the WAFL Colts ladder after a fourth consecutive win in Round 5, and East Fremantle was also among the victors. We noted some of the top performers from either game before taking a look around the grounds.

>> Around the Grounds: WAFL League Round 5

By: Hayden Narducci

CLAREMONT:

#5 Joe Matthews

A recent addition to WA’s state academy, the 190cm forward was often a focal point for the Tigers as they looked to transition out of defence into their forward 50. The wet conditions didn’t suit his playstyle, as he managed a lot of overhead marking opportunities with a few slipping through the hands, though through his height and smart leads he got the best of his defender consistently. His success and commitment with his attack on the ground ball is a rare sight for a player of his stature, regularly following up from contest to contest.

#7 Daniel Curtin

The biggest name afield, Curtin had shown his capabilities as a key position player at either end of the ground and in this game, added the midfield to his growing list of positions. He did seem a little off the pace in the first quarter, but came into his own as the game continued. Rarely did Curtin look to just throw the ball on the boot when under pressure, instead it was a common sight to see him take on as many as three would-be tacklers at a time to remarkably great success. The bigman showcased his booming left boot and gorgeous field kick, working just as hard off the ball as he did on it leading the disposals and the tackles for all comers in this affair. Will be exciting to see how long he continues this midfield stint.

>> WAFL Player Focus: Daniel Curtin

#8 Kai Dehavilland

Another member of WA’s state academy out of Claremont, Dehavilland continued his hot form for the year against a formidable East Perth midfield. Dehavilland is a real accumulator of the footy, winning plenty of it at the coalface and regularly looking to take the game on, though sometimes to his and the team’s detriment. A high intensity player, Dehavilland worked tirelessly in this game, doing the little things well and creating plenty of opportunities for his forwards.

EAST PERTH:

#1 Alexio Yiannakis

An absolute pocket rocket, Yiannakis is the archetype small pressure player. Hard work and application of pressure are the staples of his game, excelling at the areas that don’t get reflected on the stats sheet. The Tigers defenders found him hard to follow, and additionally to the two goals off his own boot, Yiannakis’ tackling and chasing pressure on the defenders brought his teammates into the game forcing miskicks and spills inside 50.

#7 Darcy Craven

An excellent game from the 18-year-old ball winner, he is another one of those genuine accumulators, though in this game seemed his influential best, leading his side for tackles and inside 50’s. Having to play on the back foot a bit as Claremont won the bulk of the free hits, Craven’s tackling pressure stood up and his positioning and footy IQ were on show as he kept his side in this game whenever it looked to get away from them. Still showcasing clean hands and absolute composure despite the wet conditions.

#12 Tyler Lindberg

Much like Yiannakis, Lindberg’s high intensity and high pressure game seemed to thrive in the wet conditions. Only getting better as the game went on, Lindberg was a marvel both on and off the footy, creating opposition mistakes off the ball, and taking the game head on to great success when carrying the footy. Selfless to only finish with the one goal, Lindberg brought his teammates into the game regularly and had the conditions have been better suited to his tall friends in the forward line, may have assisted a handful of goals.

By: Charlie McCormack

EAST FREMANTLE:

#3 Koen Sanchez

Playing his first game since Round 1, Sanchez made a successful return, looking lively and showing no problems finding the football, as he picked up 29 disposals and four marks. The 18-year-old showed good poise with ball in hand, often taking the extra second to assess his options and not rush his disposal. While his overall impact on the game was not as high as some others, it was still a very impressive return from Sanchez who shapes as one of Western Australia’s more important players at the upcoming Under 18 state carnival.

­#16 James Spadanuda

Averaging 34.5 disposals coming into the game, Spadanuda continued his prolific ball winning ways, racking up a game-high 32 disposals to go with six marks and four tackles. Like any accumulator, the 18-year-old just has that innate ability to find the ball, with his work rate to get himself in the vision of a teammate and get a handball receive particularly noticeable. After winning several contested possessions early in the contest, he managed to find more space in the second half and began to carve up the Falcons with hard running and incisive ball use. Having been an unlucky omission as in the recently announced Under 18s squad, Spadanuda is putting together a compelling case to be a late inclusion to the squad should they elect for another over-age player.     

#22 Samuel Otto

Plying his trade as an undersized ruckman, Otto was one of the most influential players on the ground, as he gathered up 25 disposals, 13 hitouts and eight marks. While he lost the hitout battle, his excellent mobility saw him spread from stoppages extremely well and get involved in transition play. His ball use was also adept, as he often switched the play or looked lateral to change the angle of attack. Having featured in both attack and defence last season, Otto’s success as a makeshift ruck franks him as one of the competition’s most versatile players.

WEST PERTH:

#7 Alex Campbell

The wet and slippery conditions at the WACA played into the strengths of Campbell, who relished the contested nature of the clash, getting his hands dirty at the coalface to lay a whopping 15 tackles. The 17-year-old played an accountable role and while he would have liked to win more clean football for himself, his willingness to compete and produce second efforts and pressure acts around the ball was outstanding.  

#24 Matt Galjaardt

The strongly built Galjaardt was an effective player for the Falcons in tough conditions, making his presence felt across half-forward with some solid tackles, and hitting the scoreboard with two goals from limited opportunities. The 18-year-old was able to outpoint his direct opponent on a few occasions and set up some forward thrusts for his side. When his chance came in front of goal, Galjaardt was efficient, booting two final term majors, including one lovely finish from distance to cap off a strong display. He finished 20 disposals, six marks and two goals.

#25 Callum Smith

The 2004-born key defender has been one of the Falcons strongest contributors this season and he was again amongst their best against East Fremantle, registering 23 disposals. Playing as the general down back, Smith provided a level of steel to the defensive unit, taking several impressive intercept marks to help Falcons cope with a barrage of East Fremantle forward entries. Smith was also tasked with kick-outs and was sure with ball in hand, electing to hit the spare option laterally or gain meterage by kicking long.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Subiaco made it two wins on the trot in Sunday’s third and final fixture, downing South Fremantle by 44 points at Leederville Oval. The Lions, now fourth, led at every break and kept the Bulldogs to just two behinds in the second half to run out 11.13 (79) to 5.5 (35) victors.

The likes of Lachlan Macrae (25 disposals, 13 tackles) and Riley Wills (23 disposals, eight tackles) got their hands dirty and snared a goal each for Subiaco, while Koopa Walsh (three goals), Lance Collard and Malakai Champion (both two) all booted multiple majors.

For the Bulldogs, Edward Graham kicked two goals from 20 touches and six marks, while state Under 18 squad members Jacob Whan (30 disposals, six marks) and Ashton Ferreira (22 disposals, eight tackles) put up strong numbers in the defeat.

In Sunday’s standalone game at Lane Group Stadium, Peel returned to the winners list after defeating Swan Districts by 18 points. The Thunder were inaccurate in front of goal, but five unanswered majors in the third quarter saw the reigning premiers get over the line, 8.15 (63) to 6.9 (45).

Despite the result, the game’s top three accumulates were wearing black and white. State squad inclusion Luke Kelly racked up 34 touches, trailed closely by bottom-ager Thomas Catchcart (33) and Jack Saunders (27). Chayse Martinson and Lewis Zolnier-Owens kicked two goals apiece.

For the victors, skipper Clay Hall returned to the level with 22 disposals and a goal, but Reece Torrent stood out for his 26 touches and two six-pointers. State academy ruck Mitchell Edwards also continued his strong form to post 17 disposals, seven marks and 47 hitouts.

>> Up the Grades