CLAREMONT stormed home to overcome a seven-point deficit with 20 minutes remaining and claim a 33-point victory over Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday afternoon.

After the Tigers capitalised early to create some separation, Swan Districts were able to battle their way into the contest, going goal-for-goal to head into the final change all square.

Both sides boasted some dominant performances from Under 18 State Academy members who impacted across the ground. We noted which of them performed best in the Round 15 hitout.

Swan Districts:

#3 Blake Kelly
Midfielder | 180cm | 03/01/2007

Stats: 26 disposals, 8 kicks, 4 marks

Kelly was bullish at the centre bounces, creating separation with his physicality to utilise his burst out of the stoppages. He was able to read the ruck taps quite well and was proactive in his understanding of where his teammates were around him, quick to give a handball off to advantage or create space himself. In transition, Kelly was able to change things up and act as a wide receiver with his run and carry and was ultimately the most productive midfielder with his offensive skillset.

#11 Luke Cotellessa
Midfielder | 183cm | 10/10/2006

Stats: 26 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles

Cotellessa was swift around the contest, able to be on call to quickly receive a flicked handball at the stoppages and work the footy forward by hands under pressure. Whilst his kicking needed more conviction at times, his work rate was prevalent, working back defensively to help out, and working into space as a loose option to prepare the next attack forward.

#13 Anthony Hansen
Forward | 172cm | 26/02/2006

Stats: 8 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

Wherever Hansen was, he was able to burn off his opponent on most occasions, with high-impact moments. Hansen’s first goal was an ankle-breaking turn picking up the loose ball on 50, running into goal and slotting it from 30 metres out. His speed through the corridor was enormous for Swan Districts metres gained in transition, setting up a teammate 50 metres ahead with a perfectly weighted kick to advantage resulting in a goal. He had a clutch moment himself, kicking the only goal of the fourth for the Swans, which at the time was vital, extending the margin to seven points.

#17 Colby McDonald
Forward | 191cm | 18/01/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 2 goals

McDonald’s impact was felt early in the piece, able to evaluate his surroundings and impose himself physically, creating space inside 50, where he kicked his first goal on the run. His contested marking came to the fore inside 50, where he was able to get on the end of some good entries inside 50. He was lively at ground level and was able to provide an impact on the scoreboard as well.

Claremont:

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

Stats: 40 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal

It was an explosive and powerful midfield display from Davis, who worked hard across the ground, accumulating it quarter-to-quarter. His centre stoppage craft got him first hands on the footy, a quick extractor, and distributor with his game sense to understand the running patterns surrounding him. Davis was consistently lowering his eyes in transition, using safe and effective options, but unafraid to take the game on in the contest with his agility and bounce.

#8 Lucas Ravenhill
Forward | 199cm | 13/04/2006

Stats: 10 disposals, 6 marks, 4 goals

The tall forward was rewarded with his work rate inside 50, leading to space and creating space with his running patterns. Ravenhill was also physically imposing when he needed to be in marking contests, bringing down some good grabs just outside 50. His vision inside 50 was poised and he was able to hit up some good leading targets ahead of him. His finishing was clinical with most opportunities, making him a hard target to shutdown.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 6 marks, 5 inside 50s

It began like a performance of almost moments for Angove with a few rushed moments early, but he was able to build nicely to introduce a significant impact on the contest with his speed in transition. In the second half he was composed with his ball usage, lowering his eyes offensively, but also working hard to get back defensively. Angove’s moment of the game was late in the fourth quarter, turning on the jets 65 metres out on the boundary, and streaming inside 50 to nail a goal on the run from 35 metres out.

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 marks, 7 inside 50s

Something was created every time van der Struyf got his hands on the footy, creating opportunities in transition with his quick thinking and urgency with disposal. He was willing to attack the corridor with his kicks and find ways to open up the forward line, also backed up with his precision kicking out of the centre stoppages. His hands were quick in the contest and his physicality was unbeaten in marking contests around the ground.

#18 Hugh Boxshall
Midfielder | 187cm | 11/07/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside 50s

Boxshall’s strong contested game helped maintain balance in the midfield mix, often putting his head over the footy, working back defensively to take a strong contested mark, or helping to rebound the ball out of defensive 50. He was lively in the centre stoppages, accumulating a few clearances, while also dishing off quick handballs to advantage which gave the Tigers the upper hand when it mattered most.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

There was only one other game this weekend, with Peel getting the job done over East Fremantle by 16 points on Saturday morning.

Basil Hart was lively for the Thunder with two goals and 13 disposals, while in the midfield it was Jaden Funazzi who made an impact around the ground with 22 disposals, seven marks, and six tackles.

Luke Urquhart was prominent with his power around the contest, finishing with 22 disposals and five tackles for the Sharks. Jesse Burden also had an impact out of the middle with six inside 50s from 16 disposals.