CLAREMONT defeated Swan Districts by nine points in what was effectively an eight-point game amid the WAFL Colts finals race. The reigning premiers led a low-scoring affair by 28 points heading into the final change, but were made to hold off a rampant Swans side which was hungry to make it a contest.

Neither side scored a major past the 10-minute mark of the final term, setting up a tense finish at a muddy Revo Fitness Stadium. Despite inaccuracy in front of the big sticks which yielded only one goal after half time, Claremont had enough runs on the board to salute 6.13 (49) to 6.4 (40).

The result sees Claremont jump into third spot on the ladder, level on points with West Perth and Swan Districts, but boasting a superior percentage. With only two rounds remaining, one of South Fremantle or East Fremantle will claim the minor premiership, while Perth could still nab a top five spot.

CLAREMONT 2.2 | 5.7 | 6.12 | 6.13 (49)
SWAN DISTRICTS 0.0 | 2.1 | 3.2 | 6.4 (40)

GOALS:
Claremont: Z. Strickland 2, M. Rosser 2, C. Nicholas, J. Daws
Swan Districts: L. Calcott 2, C. Shord, H. Cummings, C. Partington, A. Hansen

BEST:
Claremont: O. Willis, C. Banfield, J. Grahame, J. Daws, B. van Rooyen
Swan Districts: H. Cummings, B. Kelly, S. Feast, L. Kickett

CLAREMONT:

#5 Joseph Hopkyns
Key Defender | 194cm | 12/09/2006

Stats: 12 disposals (10 kicks), 4 marks, 2 tackles

Hopkyns and the Claremont defence could claim a job well done having restricted Swan Districts’ scoring for large portions of the match. The over-ager was strong in the air, owning his one-on-one battles and snapping up the ball cleanly overhead. Hopkyns also took a no-nonsense approach to clearing his lines and was quite calm in a few crises, particularly late in the game, with his clean handling proving valuable in those instances.

#6 Charlie Banfield
Midfielder | 191cm | 18/07/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles

Banfield was arguably the most prominent player afield before half time, although he carried on to produce some important moments late in the piece. The West Coast father-son candidate was central to Claremont’s midfield strength, winning plenty of ball and pumping it forward at all costs. While he sacrificed accuracy in doing so, such an approach suited the conditions. He steadied nicely to hit more direct passes heading inside 50 and if he wasn’t attempting intercept marks, he was following up to apply pressure at ground level – even if fumbly below his knees.

#9 Oscar Willis
Defender | 27/07/2007

Stats: 29 disposals, 8 marks, 7 tackles

Leading all comers on the day with 29 disposals, Willis had claims on being best afield. The rebound defender took up aggressive positions, offering support on the overlap and getting into spots to intercept. He frequently attacked the corridor and did so at speed, bringing the game forward with a direct approach. Willis also showed finesse with his ball use on the run and consistently hit targets when others struggled to, hitting the ball flat with good penetration. He played a key role in helping wind down the clock late in the piece with such measured kicking skills.

#20 Benji van Rooyen
Ruck | 202cm | 17/09/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 tackles, 28 hitouts

Boasting a decent size advantage in the ruck, van Rooyen leant on that and his developing craft to lead the hitout count. He was made to use his body and fight to get first hand to the ball by a game opponent, sometimes giving away free kicks but also proving capable of grabbing the ball to clear. The bottom-ager owned his domain and looks like being one of the top ruck prospects heading into next year having already led Western Australia’s ruck division at Under 18 level.

#36 Charlie Watson
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 02/10/2007

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks, 9 hitouts

Somewhat of a ‘moments’ player as far as talls go, Watson showcased great skill and dexterity at 199cm. He was superb in picking up the ball off the deck, getting low and scooping it up without sight of a fumble. Watson dished off cleanly in such moments, including for a goal assist to Zac Strickland in the second term. While he was a little easy to bump off the line of the ball at times, he showed upside in his movement and chopped out nicely for van Rooyen in the ruck.

Others:

Along with Banfield, Joshua Grahame (26 disposals, six inside 50s) and Kaleb Germain (17 disposals, six inside 50s) were integral in the Tigers’ midfield. Max Hansen-Knarhoi had an ‘almost’ kind of day, booting four minor scores to compliment his 14 possessions, five marks and seven tackles. Meanwhile, Zac Strickland and Max Rosser took their chances in the first half to help build Claremont’s unassailable lead, booting two goals apiece.

SWAN DISTRICTS:

#3 Blake Kelly
Midfielder | 182cm | 03/01/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 6 marks, 6 tackles

It was no surprise to see Kelly top Swan Districts’ disposal count, proving one of his side’s major forms of resistance in midfield. The West Australian representative got stuck in with crunching tackles amid conditions which suited his uncompromising style. He found a way to get the ball moving forward with kicks off either foot and lifted his physical intent when Swan Districts needed a lift after half time. Usually a tough inside ball winner, Kelly also racked up outside ball with hard running into space – especially once his side had forced turnovers.

#9 Leon Kickett
Small Forward | 172cm | 07/11/2006

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Undoubtedly the highlight of the day belonged to Pickett, who rose for an out-and-out speccy during the third quarter. He played the high forward role well, searching up the ground to help Swan Districts connect down the line. The over-ager showed deceptive strength and ferocity in his tackling to play into the conditions with solid pressure. Kickett was also quite clean and classy with ball in hand, which was useful when looking to chain up in the attacking phase.

#19 Harley Cummings
Key Forward/Ruck | 192cm | 17/10/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 9 tackles, 17 hitouts, 1 goal

It was a mammoth effort from Cummings, who spent plenty of time rucking against van Rooyen – giving up 10cm of height. He competed hard both there and up forward, holding his own in aerial duels and bringing the ball to ground. While sticking marks was difficult, the top-ager showed good craft to draw free kicks and bring Swan Districts’ smalls into the game. His ability to follow up with nine tackles was another positive, along with his second quarter goal on the snap.

Others:

Soren Feast seemed to be involved in everything that entered and exited Swan Districts’ defensive 50, finishing with 21 disposals (all kicks). Anthony Hansen (14 disposals, four inside 50s, one goal) helped provide a spark in midfield and in the forward half to drag his side back into the game, while Levi Calcott’s two final quarter goals gave his side a sniff.

ROUND 18 RESULTS

East Perth 5.7 (37) def. by South Fremantle 11.14 (80)
Peel Thunder 7.10 (52) def. by Perth 12.8 (90)
Claremont 6.13 (49) def. Swan Districts 6.4 (40)
West Perth 3.4 (22) def. by Subiaco 5.13 (43)

Bye: East Fremantle

WAFL COLTS LADDER

1. South Fremantle | 11-4 | 187.2% | 44 points
2. East Fremantle | 11-3 | 151.1% | 44 points
3. Claremont | 8-6 | 113.4% | 32 points
4. West Perth | 8-6 | 108.9% | 32 points
5. Swan Districts | 8-7 | 98.0% | 32 points
—
6. Perth | 7-7 | 100.0% | 28 points
7. Subiaco | 6-8 | 84.9% | 24 points
8. East Perth | 5-9 | 74.2% | 20 points
9. Peel Thunder | 0-14 | 46.4% | 0 points

ROUND 19 FIXTURE

Saturday August 16:

East Fremantle vs. East Perth @ The Good Grocer Park
Perth vs. Claremont @ Mineral Resources Park
South Fremantle vs. West Perth @ Fremantle Community Bank Oval
Subiaco vs. Peel Thunder @ Sullivan Logistics Stadium

Bye: Swan Districts