By: Michael Alvaro

CLAREMONT has moved one step closer to securing the WAFL Colts minor premiership after defeating Peel Thunder by 17 points on Saturday. The Tigers now sit 12 points clear atop the table with three home-and-away rounds left to play, albeit also having a game in hand.

The reigning premiers led at every break, though the margin did not surpass three goals en route to victory. Claremont had control of the low-scoring affair with 76 more disposals and the weight of 12 more inside 50s, as a raft of state Under 18 representatives dominated proceedings.

Austin van der Struyf (28 disposals, 10 tackles) was named best afield for the victors, while the likes of Jaxon Douglas (27 disposals, seven marks) Cody Angove (27 and six), and Clancy Dennis (25 and 12) filled their boots. Aiden Riddle also had a robust battle with Peel’s Tye Kemp in the ruck.

While Kemp was resolute with 37 hitouts, Jaden Funazzi and Cooper Kelly topped the Thunder’s disposal charts with 22 touches apiece. Bottom-ager Matthew Becker had it 20 times in the defeat. Peel now sits second-bottom, level with cellar dweller East Perth on points.

The Royals remain planted to bottom spot after suffering a 69-point loss to West Perth at Leederville Oval. After taking a 10-point lead into the main break, the Falcons kicked away with 11 goals to two in a scintillating second half to win comfortably remain in touch with second-placed Subiaco.

A trio of Falcons put up big numbers; namely Jack Wooden (33 disposals), and state Under 18 teammates Kayle Gerreyn (30 disposals, 34 hitouts, two goals) and Jayden Rigoll (30 disposals). Judd Marcello also bagged five goals for the victors while Andre Gulluni (20 disposals) stood tall in defeat.

Over at Bassendean Oval, Subiaco picked up a nine-point win over Swan Districts to maintain second spot. The fast finishing Swans booted four goals to one in the final quarter, but were restricted to just one goal at the other end of the ground in terms one and three.

Lucas Santich and Aven Drewett were named the Lions’ best, while Hudson Walker stuffed the stats sheet with 22 touches, eight tackles and a goal. Otis Harvey (21 disposals, seven tackles) and Chayse Martinson (17 disposals, three goals) impressed for the Swans, along with 2008-born talents Leo Steed and Jai Debono.

Elsewhere, South Fremantle stormed home to a 39-point victory over East Fremantle to draw level with the Sharks on four wins on the season. The Bulldogs trailed at the first break but scraped a point ahead at half time and never looked back, booting five goals to one in the final quarter.

Ivan Starr did plenty of scoreboard damage with five goals. State squad members Tom Bell (27 disposals, 11 marks), Fred Rodriguez (23 disposals, one goal), and Hudson Pivac (two goals) were all among the Bulldogs’ best, while Nic Davidson won 44 of the game’s 68 total hitouts.

The Sharks were served well by the likes of Elijah Stockden (27 disposals) and Luke Carrello (26), and remain a spot about South Fremantle despite the result. The action rolls on for Round 19 next week with a full allotment of four games. East Perth has the bye.

STATE STARS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD AT LEAGUE LEVEL

By: Nathan Sepe

A TRIO of West Australian Under 18 representatives continued their stints at senior level over the weekend, with state captain Bo Allan producing his best performance yet in Peel Thunder’s 35-point win over Claremont.

Alongside him at in the WAFL’s top flight, both Malakai Champion and Hamish Davis continued their runs, backing up strong debut performances. The latter, a product of Claremont, even turned out against Allan in Saturday’s clash at Rushton Park.

Allan finished with 20 touches for Peel, impacting with his work rate to be on the end of seven marks and two inside 50s. It was Allan’s fourth game at senior level, with his effort on the weekend making for a personal-best disposal tally. The win keeps Peel atop of the League ladder, separated by percentage in first to East Perth.

On the opposite side, Tigers utility Davis put up similar numbers in his second senior performance, finishing with 15 disposals, four marks, and four inside 50s. At times he was able to get forward, but only finished with the one behind on the scoreboard in Claremont’s seventh loss for the season.

Meanwhile, Champion backed up his three-goal performance last week for Subiaco, adding another two to his season tally in the Lions’ 20-point loss to Swan Districts. The speedy small forward was productive with his running capacity up the ground, and was able to take a few more marks compared to his maiden outing.