WEST Perth has kept the WAFL Colts minor premiership race alive after knocking off long-standing frontrunner Claremont by 29 points on Saturday. The Falcons led at every break and despite having less of the ball, made better use of it with 41-25 inside 50s in the 12.12 (84) to 8.7 (55) victory.

With two home-and-away rounds left to play, the result means second-placed Subiaco remains a chance of snatching pole position in the final round. They play the Tigers in Round 21, who have a bye the week prior and are eight points clear in top spot. West Perth remains third, 10 points from the pinnacle.

We cast our eye over the weekend’s clear game of the round, albeit not the closest, with a focus on performances from Western Australia’s state Under 18 representatives and National Combine invitees. Plus, we take a look at results around the grounds and up the grades in Round 19.

Claremont 8.7 (55) def. by West Perth 12.12 (84)

By: Denholm Melrose

WEST PERTH:

#3 Kayle Gerreyn
Ruck/Key Forward | 199cm | 10/05/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 19 hitouts, 9 marks, 3 goals

Gerreyn was every bit the standout player of the match on Saturday, displaying his strength in ruck contests and his impressive aerial ability up forward. His stamped his authority early with an intercept mark from which he played on and booted a 50m bomb for his first major, then followed it up minutes later with a huge pack mark at full forward and converted his second. He floated across the ground, moving quickly for such a big frame. In what was a fascinating ruck battle, Gerreyn used his brute strength to move Aiden Riddle out of his way, particularly in the second half as he got on top and won plenty of hitouts. He used the ball in a calm and smart manner, showing discipline as he hit targets right across the ground with silky touch. Once the ball hit the deck, Gerreyn was essentially a fourth midfielder. When rotating up forward, Gerreyn was unable to be stopped as he took multiple big pack marks and ended a great outing with 3.2.

Others:

Western Australian state representative Trent Hiscock (seven disposals) was prominent early, using his 190cm frame to great affect with big spoils and solid bodywork one-on-one, however he faded out of the game as it went on.

Through the midfield, Jayden Rigoll (18 disposals, five inside 50s) found plenty of the footy and made some applaudable defensive efforts and chase-down tackles. Rigoll’s delivery inside 50 was also superb.

17-year-old Judd Marcello (five marks, two goals) and Eli Alexander (15 disposals, six marks, two goals) were regular targets up forward for the Falcons and each hit the scoreboard, as did Sam Swadling who battled hard all day and was rewarded for his efforts with 20 disposals and three goals. Marcello in particular asserted himself with several marks on the lead and sound ball use.

CLAREMONT:

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 14 kicks, 5 marks

Douglas worked into the game nicely, flashing daring ball use as he took the majority of the kick-ins for the Tigers. He was prolific in the second half as he split his time between half-back and on the wing, where he was used as a link up option to transition the ball from defence to attack. Claremont opted to use Douglas as much as possible, and smartly, as his neat creation set up multiple attacks.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 3 inside 50s

Another who started slowly but worked his way into the game, Angove had an ‘almost’ day. He was lively as a forward, regularly bobbing up in contests but not quite being able to create from them. Once he went into the midfield though, he had flashes of extreme pace and looked dangerous -causing defenders to panic. Angove was able to set up a goal in the second quarter through sheer effort, running circles around defenders and breaking a tackle to get his hands out. He ended the day with a hard-earned 18 disposals.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 10 kicks, 4 inside 50s

van der Struyf played as a full-time inside midfielder and was clean all day at ground level. He showed off his terrific hands below his knees with multiple one-handed pickups. He displayed impressive quickness disposing of it by hand inside the contest, and while his ball use was shaky at times, he made up for it with selfless second efforts and strong tackle pressure. van der Struyf was often the instigator of the Tigers’ ball movement, creating passages from his ability to pick off composed, necessary 45-degree kicks.

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

Stats: 11 disposals, 21 hitouts, 5 marks, 3 goals

The other half of the exceptional ruck battle against Gerreyn, Riddle was able to use his vertical leap to win the hit-outs on the day. Riddle took Gerreyn forward and beat him, clunking big pack marks on more than one occasion. He was clean at ground level, but the aerial show from him was even more superb, earning himself three goals as a result. He tried to work his opponents over around the ground using his tank, and his stamina was evident as he came up with multiple big moments late in the final term, unfortunately dropping mark of the year and the chance to kick a fourth goal. Riddle’s third goal was a snap after a crumb from a contest that you would expect from a small forward, showing unexpected agility and a quick first step for a ruckman.

Others:

Though he did not finish with huge numbers, Oscar Willis (nine disposals, four tackles) was notable all day for the Tigers, as he put on a clinic with his ball use. He was composed in traffic and tidy with ball in hand after kicking the first goal of the day from 45m out on the boundary. Lachlan Cattalini (20 disposals, nine marks) found plenty of the football as Claremont’s link man from half-forward. Will Malajczuk (21 disposals) was also prolific.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

By: Michael Alvaro

SUBIACO and Perth played out a thriller at Leederville Oval, with the Lions coming away three-point victors. Redleg Brodie McLean cut the margin back to under a goal with a minute left to play, though it proved too little, too late as his side ran out of time against the minor premiership contenders.

McLean was among Perth’s top ball winners alongside Mitchell Keene, who led all comers with 21 disposals. Subiaco captain Charlie Burke led the Lions’ count with 19, while the tall-small forward duo of Finley Henderson (six marks, 22 hitouts) and Darcy Montgomery posted two goals apiece.

A six-goal head start catapulted Swan Districts to their 62-point win over East Fremantle at Pentanet Stadium, pushing the Sharks down to seventh spot. The Swans resisted East Freo’s third quarter fightback with seven final-quarter majors in response to run out comfortable victors.

Carlos Partington and Otis Harvey filled their boots with three goals each, while Chayse Martinson also joined the scoring party with two. Luke Cotellessa (27 disposals) and Lucas Andrews (24) were prolific, while the Sharks were served well by Luke Carrello (23 disposals) and Harry Cox (19 and six tackles).

Over at Fremantle Oval, South Fremantle jumped to sixth spot with its second win on the trot, defeating Peel Thunder by 16 points. The Bulldogs were behind at the first break but fought to a half time lead before kicking away with three unanswered goals in term three, going on to salute 9.11 (65) to 7.7 (49).

Following a five-goal haul last week, Ivan Starr bagged three to make it 11 in his last three outings. Bottom-age state representative Fred Rodriguez was best afield with 28 touches and seven tackles, while Toby Whan (20 disposals), Tom Bell and Millar Rank all contributed strongly.

Jaden Funazzi (28 disposals, six marks, six tackles, one goal) once again stuffed the stats sheet for Peel. Imposing ruck Tye Kemp (45 hitouts, one goal) was named best afield for the losing side, who remain planted in eighth spot with two games left to play.