CLAREMONT claimed its second consecutive WAFL Colts premiership after kicking away to a 35-point win over Swan Districts in Sunday’s decider at Optus Stadium. The Tigers dominated all season and duly converted their minor premiership in the 11.16 (82) to 7.5 (47) victory.

Despite the difference in scoring shots (27-12) and inside 50s (55-34) come full time, things weren’t always heavily swayed towards Claremont. Swan Districts trailed by only six points at the main break, before the Tigers flexed their muscles in a decisive final quarter spurt.

Goals to Rory Luscombe, Lucas Ravenhill, and Austin van der Struyf within four minutes answered the challenge of Otis Harvey bridging the margin to within three majors early in term four. Claremont co-captain Hamish Davis was named best afield for his 30-disposal effort.

CLAREMONT 3.4 | 4.8 | 7.13 | 11.16 (82)
SWAN DISTRICTS 2.1 | 4.2 | 5.2 | 7.5 (47)

GOALS:

Claremont: L. Ravenhill 3, W. Malajczuk 2, J. Sibosado, A. van der Struyf, R. Luscombe, T. Cossom, L. Pynes, C. Curtin
Swan Districts: T. Cathcart 2, O. Harvey, C. Martinson, L. Cotellessa, C. McDonald, T. Oliver

BEST:

Claremont: H. Davis, H. Boxshall, A. Riddle, L. Ravenhill, J. Sibosado, J. Douglas
Swan Districts: L. Cotellessa, L. Andrews, O. Harvey, B. Kelly, T. Cathcart, C. McDonald

Mel Whinnen Medal: Hamish Davis (Claremont)

CLAREMONT:

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

Stats: 30 disposals, 3 marks, 7 inside 50s

A more than deserving Mel Whinnan Medal winner for best on ground, Davis’ second half was a performance to be marvelled at. Despite having to work his way into the game, once he arrived, he was unstoppable. Davis proved a dangerous prospect up forward once again with multiple shots on goal, but did his best work through the midfield where he seemed to be involved in almost every passage of play. His hands in traffic were superb, collecting the ball cleanly and delivering to teammates in ways that led them to space and dictated his side’s movement. Davis used his penetrating kick to boot Claremont deep inside 50, leading to multiple marks at the top of the goalsquare. He set up multiple majors with clever and efficient ball use, showing that he is a class above this level of football after strong senior exposure.

#7 Will Hayes
Wing | 178cm | 16/05/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 7 inside 50s

Hayes is an expert at playing the wing position. He holds his width to provide an option wide of the contest when needed, runs hard with great patterns, and has a burst of speed that not many can rival. He took full advantage of his dash by linking up with teammates all afternoon, providing run and carry to drive his side inside 50 on seven occasions. He accumulated multiple possessions on his forays forward as he never stopped running and his ball use was clean and tidy. Hayes displayed great vision going inside 50 and hit targets in dangerous positions up forward.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 30 hitouts, 5 marks

Riddle was dominant in the ruck battle, proving too talented for the Swan Districts talls to compete with. He positioned himself intelligently behind the ball to take several intercept marks and used his big frame to bring the ball to ground in packs around Optus Stadium. Riddle’s touch in the ruck was impressive, knocking down hitouts to his teammates’ advantage that created clearances galore in the second half, including one that he followed up himself to drive forward. He showed off his agility as well with a nice collect at ground level and step around an opponent, delivering inside 50 in the final term to create one of the Tigers’ four last quarter goals.

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

Stats: 30 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles

The other contender for the Mel Whinnen Medal, Boxshall was consistently dominant across all four quarters. The taller midfielder displayed classy hands inside contests, setting up his teammates to win clearances and found plenty of the ball himself on the outside with his run and spread. Boxshall’s influence was felt most with his relentless running and his ball use going inside 50, where he lowered his eyes to hit targets. Though there were some examples of shaky decision making, it was mostly due to taking the game on, which helped Claremont set up the win.

Others:

Clancy Dennis (14 disposals, four marks) and Cody Curtin (11 disposals, five marks, one goal) were important at either end of the ground. Dennis stood tall to take numerous intercept marks and set up the Tigers’ rebounds with his penetrating kick. Curtin was dangerous inside 50 and asserted himself on the contest with his physicality. Though he missed a few chances he would normally convert, he would have enjoyed the airtime he got with a huge hanger late in the third quarter.

The latter’s key forward partner Lucas Ravenhill took full advantage of Claremont’s inside 50 dominance, taking eight marks and booting three goals. Midfielder Jett Sibosado (17 disposals, four marks, one goal) was highly influential on the contest with his tough, courageous efforts, while Austin van der Struyf (16 disposals, five inside 50s, one goal) was impressive in a new role on the wing.

SWAN DISTRICTS:

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 4 tackles

Bottom-ager Kelly began the game with the opening clearance, and he had plenty more as the day went on. He used his smarts and pace to explode away from centre bounces and deliver the ball inside 50. Most impressive was Kelly’s ability to make the game feel slow when he had the ball. He stayed composed with ball in hand, surveyed his options and used it well. During a run to open the final term where it felt like Swan Districts may make a comeback, it was Kelly who began multiple passages of play with daring use and quick hands through traffic.

#4 Otis Harvey
Midfielder/Forward | 182cm | 17/01/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 goal

Harvey is at his best in transition, utilising his quick first step to get out and drive his legs. He displayed great shows of strength at the coalface to break tackles and keep the ball alive for Swans and was often used in transition as the link man through the corridor. When Swan Districts began their comeback effort in the final quarter, Harvey was nearly the hero, kicking an impressive running goal to bring the lead back inside three goals and narrowly missing two more fourth quarter opportunities.

Others:

It was an ‘almost’ day for key forward Colby McDonald, (13 disposals, 10 hitouts) who began the game with an outstanding mark and goal in the opening minute. He battled hard in the ruck and was ultra-competitive, but unfortunately despite his unwavering effort, was unable to capitalise on some potential opportunities.

Midfielder Luke Cotellessa (20 disposals, five tackles, one goal) fought hard all afternoon, while Lucas Andrews’ (19 disposals, six tackles) run and carry was noticeable and commendable. Thomas Cathcart chipped in two goals from 10 disposals in a game where he was used as a swingman, and Chayse Martinson (14 disposals, five tackles, one goal) set up some crucial chances for Swan Districts.

UP THE GRADES

In the WAFL League decider, state Under 18 captain Bo Allan kept his spot after returning for last week’s preliminary final, and played a part in Peel Thunder’s 33-point flag triumph over East Perth. The powerful utility posted 11 disposals, six tackles and three marks in Sunday’s clash at Optus Stadium.

Our scouts said…

“Allan stayed composed with ball in hand and did not look out of place at this level at all. He backed himself to take the game on using his size to bust through would-be tacklers. Allan popped up in transition for 45-degree kicks to assist Peel to chip their way forward and had a few moments of brilliance late in the game; including a fantastic defensive effort to come across and spoil out of bounds, as well as a snap over his body through traffic that missed by the narrowest of margins.” – on Bo Allan.

In the Reserves grade, East Fremantle came up trumps over Claremont in a 29-point victory. State under 18 representative Max Rohr took the field for the Tigers, with the over-age tall amassing 14 disposals and 21 hitouts. Sharks top-ager Declan Pauline also played his part, and continues to garner interest.

Our scouts said…

“Pauline was aggressive from the get-go in this one, showing intent to win his own footy at the coalface and distribute to teammates. He showed clean hands and composure at stoppages and in traffic, while finding plenty of the ball spreading as well. He ran smart patterns, popping up for 45-degree kicks and using the ball well around the ground. Pauline was strong in the midfield, laying plenty of tackles and trapping the ball in late in the final term to cause repeat stoppages and keep the time ticking over. He finished with 18 disposals, seven tackles, and four marks.” – on Declan Pauline.

“Rohr was gallant in defeat, impressing in the ruck in the opening half as he fought an even battle against established WAFL League ruckman Reuben McGuire. He was valiant in the air, equalling the hitout battle through two quarters and flying into packs to bring the ball to ground. He displayed excellent positioning behind the footy, while getting involved around the ground in transition as well. Rohr was thrown back in the second half to attempt top quell East Fremantle’s forays forward, and defended well, taking intercept marks and showing great dexterity in his ability to spoil.” – on Max Rohr.