CLAREMONT has moved two games clear atop the WAFL Colts ladder after defeating Subiaco by 32 points in Round 4’s standalone match. The Lions kicked away with the first four goals but were reigned back in term two and never recovered, going down 12.17 (89) to 8.9 (57).

The reigning premiers, still undefeated at 4-0, recently had 12 players included in the state Under 18 squad. Of them, seven were afield for Saturday’s win, while one of the state’s top prospects returned for Subiaco. We noted the performances of each state academy member.

CLAREMONT:

#2 Jaxon Douglas
Defender | 188cm | 07/02/2006

Stats: 24 disposals, 18 kicks, 8 marks

Douglas accumulated possessions as usual down back, producing a particularly prolific third quarter to help keep Claremont on top. Of his 24 disposals, 18 were kicks and Douglas was often seen distributing the ball both short and long out of defence. His role was two-pronged as he also shut down Wes Walley and quelled some promising Subiaco attacks close to goal.

#3 Hamish Davis
Forward | 190cm | 02/05/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 goals

Davis finished as one of three multiple goalkickers for Claremont, snaring two majors in the second quarter. His first score doubled as the Tigers’ opening goal, before sharking the ball inside 50 and adding another as the tide began to turn. Davis was also a consistent marking outlet and presented hard up the line to help his side connect between the arcs.

#7 Will Hayes
Wing | 179cm | 16/05/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

It was a relatively quiet day for Hayes, who arguably did his best work out on the wing in the second half. He showed he can use the ball well, but didn’t quite have enough of it to have a sustained impact on the game. Among his best moments was a set shot goal on the half time siren, and assist for Rory Luscombe in the third term.

#9 Cody Angove
Forward | 182cm | 28/05/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 2 behinds

After being caught in possession twice in the opening quarter, Angove adjusted and used his turn of foot to good effect. He did well on a couple of occasions to keep his feet when retrieving the loose ball and stepped to the outside of his opponent to get into space. A goal eluded the forward though, only managing two behinds for the day.

#10 Austin van der Struyf
Defender | 178cm | 17/03/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 4 inside 50s

Some of van der Struyf’s flat and penetrative long kicks were a joy to watch, as he pierced Subiaco’s defence from dangerous launch zones. When he wasn’t overlapping through the corridor, he picked out targets going inside 50 with surgical precision, hitting leaders on the chest at will. With such damaging ball use, Claremont would likely have wanted to give him the ball more often.

#15 Aiden Riddle
Ruck | 199cm | 27/12/2005

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 tackles, 30 hitouts

The most dominant big man afield, Riddle owned the ruck contest as any over-age tall should with 30 hitouts. His bodywork to win those taps was excellent and he held his ground strongly, while also following up with solid fundamental skills. He played the basics well but can certainly look to enhance his impact away from stoppages, taking just one mark.

#20 Oscar Willis
Defender | 187cm | 27/07/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles

One of several bottom-agers selected in the state Under 18 squad, Willis again showed promise in Claremont’s stacked back line. The 187cm defender was in all the right spots, helping retrieve the ball before getting involved in the Tigers’ transitional play.

Others:

Lucas Ravenhill and Rory Luscombe each booted three goals and took 13 marks between them in the victory, while Sullivan Moody was also lively in the forward half. Down back, Jett Sibosado clunked eight grabs among his 16 possessions as Bailey Banfield (28 disposals, seven inside 50s) got his hands dirty in midfield. Will Wildberger (16 disposals, seven marks) was also prominent.

SUBIACO:

#1 Charlie Burke
Wing | 183cm | 11/04/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles

Burke was busy all day for Subiaco and had more impact than his 16 disposals would suggest. He started out with a great rundown tackle on Angove and was constantly sighted working from end to end, proving particularly prominent when supporting the defence. He looked most dangerous when allowed to run with the ball and take meterage in the expanses of Revo Fitness Stadium.

#3 Malakai Champion
Small Forward | 172cm | 17/05/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 5 inside 50s

After missing out on the National Academy game last week, Champion was back in his usual high forward role for Subiaco. The lively small took some time to blow out the cobwebs and was tested for size but made a busy start, posting six of his 14 disposals in the opening term. Champion searched for the ball as far up the ground as half-back, though was most damaging when sending it inside 50. He was typically clean at ground level and increasingly sharp with his movement.

#5 Hayden Windsor
Defender | 192cm | 06/02/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles

Windsor was another state academy member who started strongly, racking up seven touches in the first quarter. He utilised his long left-foot kicking to clear his lines before generating more run from defence as the game wore on. Windsor was also strong on the last line of defence and got into good positions to intercept, then launch the ball forward.

#28 Wesley Walley
Forward | 180cm | 29/11/2007

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 marks, 1 goal

Walley looked on track for a huge game in the early stages, proving an effective connection piece into attacking 50 as Subiaco piled on the game’s first four goals. He was a dynamic forward target and took the ball cleanly overhead, while using his creativity and movement to make things happen with the next kick. Opportunities waned after quarter time but Walley very nearly took a few hangers inside 50. An exciting talent to watch.

Others:

Tall forward Koopa Walsh was Subiaco’s lone multiple goalkicker, finishing with two from five kicks. Defender Nicholas Multari filled his booted with 25 disposals (22 kicks), while Xavier Hickey (17 disposals, one goal) was the Lions’ next highest disposal winner.