CLAREMONT tall Cody Curtin is hitting his straps at the pointy end of the WAFL Colts season, having booted six goals in his side’s thumping semi-final win on Sunday. It was the bottom-age swingman’s second bag of six majors in as many games, both against Subiaco.

Curtin’s latest effort helped the Tigers advance straight into this year’s Grand Final, where they will look to defend their 2023 premiership. It comes after a resolute campaign at the Under 18 National Championships, where the versatile talent was stationed in defence.

Needless to say, and almost inevitably, the 17-year-old yields some comparisons to elder brother Daniel, who was drafted with pick eight to Adelaide last year. We put the emerging youngster’s mega finals performance under the Player Focus microscope this week.

>> Scouting Notes: WAFL Colts Finals – Week Two

Claremont, Western AustraliaKey Defender, Key Forward

Cody Curtin

Height: 197cm

Weight: -

DOB: 18-05-2007

PLAYER FOCUS

2024 WAFL Colts: Semi Final
Claremont 15.11 (101) def. Subiaco 5.8 (38)

#28 Cody Curtin (Claremont)
Stats: 9 disposals (7 kicks, 2 handballs), 6 marks, 6 goals

FIRST QUARTER:

The first was the only quarter where Curtin failed to find the goals, though he made his presence felt. He showed no qualms about crashing packs and while his efforts didn’t yield marks, he did well to split contests and bring the ball to ground. That kind of intent and physicality is crucial to key position craft.

Curtin’s lack of explosive pace was exposed in the early stages as he was caught behind and led to the ball by smaller, more agile opponents. His matchups were set, with the 193cm Braden Gostlow tracking him up the ground, while Xavier Hickey (187cm) dealt with him closer to goal.

SECOND QUARTER:

After a steady opening term, Curtin turned it on just before half time to well and truly get going. Claremont kicked ahead with three goals to Subiaco’s one, as Curtin accounted for all three majors and converted them within a 10-minute purple patch.

The bottom-ager got a terrific assist for his first goal from Rory Luscombe, who tapped the loose ball inboard for him to latch onto, spin out of a tackle and dribble it home through a sea of defenders. Not only did it give his side a lift, but the individual too.

There was better yet to come in the form of Curtin’s second goal. He peeled off at half-forward to clunk an intercept mark and wasted no time in setting off, manufacturing a one-two manoeuvre, and slamming through another six-pointer from 40 metres on the run.

His two inspired pieces of play were rounded out by a more conventional method for goal number three. Curtin used his body well in a one-on-one jostle with Gostlow to protect the drop zone and take the ball on his chest, before converting the straightforward set shot.

THIRD QUARTER:

While Lucas Ravenhill owned the early stages with his work inside 50, Curtin could take a back seat before being called upon for his next score. He took his chance, sliding into another mark inside 50 and converting his set shot on the angle. He hardly looked like missing on the day.

A solidly built unit, Curtin showed a good ability to win or halve physical duels, and roll tackles off his back in open play. He also roamed up the ground to clunk a strong pack mark reaching over a couple of opponents at half-back, not leaping massively high but taking the ball cleanly.

FOURTH QUARTER:

It was somewhat of a procession for Claremont in the second half and the reigning premiers found it all too easy to move the ball from end to end. That meant Curtin could dine out twice more to bring his tally of goals up to six.

He made use of his size advantage against Hickey to mark one-out in the goalsquare before bagging his fifth goal. Curtin then took a grab at full stretch overhead to make use of another set shot opportunity, this time with a right-foot snap. His variety in method was impressive.