EAST Fremantle has validated its credentials as a Colts contender, producing a mightily impressive performance to down the second-placed Claremont by 38 points at the WACA.

With the Sharks bringing down several key players from senior football for the crunch clash, they had all the answers for the highly fancied Claremont outfit, leading at every change to run out winners, 12.12 (84) to 6.10 (46).

We highlight some of the players that caught the eye, including a couple of National Combine invitees featuring across both sides.

>> AFL National Draft Combine invite list

EAST FREMANTLE:

#3 Koen Sanchez
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 19/02/2005

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 3 inside 50s

Playing his first game at colts level since the Championships, Sanchez started across half-forward and was involved in everything early, racking up several possessions and score involvements inside the first ten minutes, with his forward craft allowing him to find plenty of space inside 50. He rotated though the midfield and was effective in his stints around the ball, with his clean hands and nous helping him win a couple of clearances. He finished with 18 disposals and five marks in what was a typically polished display from the Sharks sole National Combine invitee.

#14 Presley Campbell
Defender | 175cm | 19/08/2005

Stats: 20 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal

Another important inclusion into the Sharks side back from PSA duties, Campbell resumed his partnership with James Spadanuda off half-back to provide a good source of rebound and drive for his side. The 17-year-old played with a high-tempo style, always looking to play on and attack down the corridor. While his ball-use wasn’t always exemplary, his aggressive positioning and willingness to take the game on was certainly effective. He finished with 20 disposals and a goal.

#16 James Spadanuda
Defender | 173cm | 01/09/2004

Stats: 27 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles

Playing his first colts game since Round 7, Spadanuda showed just how good a player he is at this level, gathering 27 disposals across half-back. The overage prospect was his side’s primary distributor in defence, and he did plenty of damage with ball in hand, slicing up Claremont with his incisive ball use and hard run and carry. In a similar vein to Campbell, he often looked to take the quickest route to home, looking to attack through the corridor and move the ball on as quickly as possible.

#35 Jack Cocking
Forward | 186cm | 27/01/2005

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 6 goals

The key forward has taken the competition by storm in recent weeks, booting 24 goals from his past six starts and he was again dominant against the Tigers, helping himself to six majors in a best afield display. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Cocking’s game was his ability to find the scoreboard in different ways, kicking most of his goals off the back of his excellent contested marking, while also showing adeptness at ground level, kicking a superb stoppage goal off hands that would make a small forward proud. In the form he is in, Cocking looks set to join only Fremantle young gun Jye Amiss and ex-St Kilda rookie Jack Mayo as players to boot over 50 goals in a Colts season since 2016. While he has remained outside the State program, his recent form has seen his football do the talking.

CLAREMONT:

#8 Kai Dehavilland
Midfielder | 181cm | 12/02/2005

Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles

Dehavilland was the best of the Claremont on-ballers as he worked hard at the coalface to register 25 disposals and six tackles. The 18-year-old was dangerous at ground level, hunting the ball with good intensity, and showing plenty of physicality around the contest. He received a yellow card for an overzealous tackle in the second term but returned later and continued to be a strong contributor for the Tigers.

#12 Sam van Rooyen
Tall Forward | 192cm | 24/02/2005

Stats: 8 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal

The Claremont spearhead was starved of opportunity for large stages of the game, with his midfield getting soundly beaten, but he still found a way to impact the game, taking six marks and kicking a major in a workmanlike outing. Van Rooyen’s marking was the feature of his game, taking a couple of strong, contested plucks to always give his side a strong aerial target, be that inside 50 or as a bail out option down the line from defence.

#18 Joe Fonti
Midfielder | 189cm | 24/12/2004

Stats: 23 disposals, 9 marks, 2 tackles

The over-aged talent showed some of the traits that saw him earn a State Combine invite during the week, with his classy ball use and speed on show for much of the contest. When the ball was in space, it was hard not to be enamoured by Fonti’s smooth movements, as he provided plenty of drive and line-breaking run, looking to take on an opponent when he had the chance. He also worked hard defensively as a wingman, taking some strong intercept marks in his defensive 50. He finished with 25 disposals and ten marks to be the Tigers’ best player.

#21 Zane Zakostelsky
Defender/Ruck | 194cm | 14/12/2005

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 10 hitouts

The draft bolter played a hybrid role, starting down back before shifting into the ruck after the long break. He showed glimpses of his elite all-round athleticism on occasions, looking at his best during his stints in the ruck, where he was able to use his vertical leap to get first hands to the ball and give his midfield first use. He finished with 15 disposals, four marks and 10 hitouts in a promising performance.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Swan Districts held off South Fremantle in a close encounter to prevail by five points at Steel Blue Oval. Bottom-ager Chayse Martinson was superb for the Black Ducks with 29 disposals and eight tackles, while Lewis Zonier-Owens booted four majors to continue his good goalkicking form.

The Bulldogs were well served by Jordan Douglas (24 disposals) and Jacob Whan (23 disposals) while State 16s representative Toby Whan continued his impressive ascension to colts football, notching 20 touches.

In Joondalup, ladder leaders Perth secured a 36-point win over West Perth. Kalib Dempster Park (24 disposals), Noah Cachard (25) and Jake Watson (22) found plenty of the ball for the Demons while skipper Michael Hall booted three majors.

For the home side, Matt Galjaardt continued his strong form with 26 touches while bottom-ager Trent Hiscock was a strong contributor. Subiaco, East Perth, and Peel Thunder all enjoyed a bye, with just three regular season rounds left to play.

>> Up the Grades: Claremont’s Curtin call