CLAREMONT has claimed its third consecutive WAFL Colts premiership after defeating minor premier South Fremantle in Sunday’s decider. The Tigers took out the flag from third and succeeded in their sixth Grand Final appearance in seven years, proving a powerhouse of the junior competition.

An electric start to proceedings saw both teams pile on four goals in the opening quarter at Optus Stadium. Cody Curtin‘s booming goal after the siren put Claremont ahead, and the Tigers kicked away with three unanswered goals in the second quarter, credit to an energetic transition style.

The victors took a 13-point advantage into the final break and went on to win by 55 thanks to a run of seven goals in 20 final quarter minutes. Star Claremont midfielder Charlie Banfield was named best on ground for his 28 disposals and two goals, while Curtin finished with six majors in the romp.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 4.1 | 4.4 | 8.5 | 9.5 (59)
CLAREMONT 4.2 | 7.6 | 10.6 | 18.6 (114)

GOALS:
South Fremantle: C. Maynard 3, J. Elliott-Tideman, B. Foster, T. Longmuir, R. Luke, L. Robinson, F. Rodriguez
Claremont: C. Curtin 6, C. Banfield 2, C. Cossom 2, V. Davies 2, K. Germain 2, S. Jennings-Hopkins 2, H. Banfield, H. Mellody

BEST:
South Fremantle: C. Maynard, F. Rodriguez, L. Robinson, M. Thomas
Claremont: C. Banfield, C. Curtin, J. Hopkyns, S. Jennings-Hopkins, H. Mellody

Mel Whinnen Medal: Charlie Banfield (Claremont)

SOUTH FREMANTLE:

#1 Cameron Maynard
Small Forward | 170cm | 14/08/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 3 goals

Maynard was electric on the big stage, lighting up Optus Stadium with his speed and creativity. Among his deep back of tricks were one-handed scoops off the deck, jinking runs and baulks, and an unbelievable 60m goal in the final quarter. The latter was one of three majors from the bottom-ager, whose energy and hunt were evident from the get-go. Maynard’s flip celebration in the third quarter was another highlight, no less after selling the candy and making a one-two play into goal.

#2 Lucas Cattalini
Tall Defender | 192cm | 04/05/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks

Cattalini was one of South Fremantle’s many productive rebounders, even as a taller option. He did well to get ahead of the ball when his side looked to move out of defensive 50, carrying it with intent before launching by foot. While Cattalini’s unique left-foot kicking can be unorthodox, he looked more assured when flying for marks and flicking the switch into attack mode.

#6 Max Thomas
Defender | 189cm | 24/07/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks

Along with Cattalini, Thomas did his best to rebound the ball with impetus throughout the day. His punchy foot skills were on display, along with a run-and-gun style which helped launch end-to-end passages. Thomas attacked the corridor and backed his speed on the overlap, while also making a few intercepts to support those counterattacking feats.

#7 Fred Rodriguez
Midfielder | 184cm | 10/07/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal

Rodriguez can seldom be faulted for effort and he was typically industrious in a tough loss. The star midfielder played a well-rounded game; getting stuck in to lay tackles, winning his own ball on the inside, and working hard to accumulate on the spread. He looked best when able to receive and carry the ball forward, before using both feet to drive long kicks – albeit wobbly at times. He snuck forward to slot a team-lifting set shot goal in the opening quarter and almost set up another in term three with a piercing inboard kick. He couldn’t have done much more.

#9 Lucas Robinson
Midfielder | 189cm | 13/02/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 marks, 7 tackles, 1 goal

Robinson was arguably South Fremantle’s best player on Sunday, proving why he’s one of WA’s best prospects for next year. The big-bodied midfield bull was tough to contain at the coalface, utilising his strong frame to break open the packs with clean extraction work. His safe handling and physically dominant style translated to several gutsy marks around the ground, proving an all-round force. The Fremantle NGA member also blasted home a goal off one step from the top of forward 50, showcasing his raw power as early as the opening quarter.

Others:

South Fremantle missed the presence of Toby Whan in midfield, with the Dockers NGA talent going down with a shoulder injury early in the piece. Fellow Fremantle-tied talent Ryda Luke was a handy connection piece up forward alongside Taj Longmuir, with both players booting a goal. In the absence of Whan, Jacob Donald (16 disposals) was solid on-ball, while Byron Foster battled hard in the ruck for 18 hitouts and a goal. Down back, Heath Wilson helped to lock down on Claremont’s dangerous forwards with nine touches and five tackles.

CLAREMONT:

#5 Joseph Hopkyns
Tall Defender | 193cm | 12/09/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 8 marks

Hopkyns was at his best, once again proving a dependable part of Claremont’s defence. He racked up eight marks – many of them being intercepts – credit to keen reading of the play and positive movement to meet the aerial ball. The over-ager set up the wall and was just as impactful deep in defensive 50, mopping up just about everything that came his way before quickly moving on. He was clean, composed, and didn’t do a whole lot wrong throughout the day. Reliable as ever.

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

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 marks, 9 inside 50s, 2 goals

Banfield put the cherry on top a superb top-age campaign by taking out best on ground honours on Sunday. The West Coast father-son prospect imposed himself at the contest, applying strong defensive efforts to match his ball winning prowess. He put Claremont on the front foot with booming clearance kicks and was difficult to lock down with his pure size and strength. Banfield took his game to the next level with two goals in the third quarter, including a left-foot snap on the move to put South Fremantle to the sword. It capped off his massive end to the year.

#7 Cody Curtin
Key Forward | 200cm | 18/05/2007

Stats: 10 disposals, 5 marks, 6 goals

Curtin well and truly filled his boots in a performance which was full of presence and intensity. His team-lifting goal after the quarter time siren was a sign of things to come, with the imposing key forward giving his all and being rewarded with bulk scores late in the piece. Three of Curtin’s six goals came in the final quarter, as he showed all his weapons to mark strongly inside 50, impact with his ruck craft, and finish truly. If that wasn’t enough, he celebrated each goal with gusto.

#9 Oscar Willis
Defender | 186cm | 27/07/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 inside 50s

In what was often a frantic and high-paced contest, Willis offered touches of class. His ball use, particularly by foot, often set Claremont on the right path when transitioning the ball from end-to-end, and he launched six inside 50s in a daring display. The top-ager was often there to support on the overlap and ventured high up the ground where he could breach South Fremantle’s defence.

#22 Heath Mellody
Defender | 181cm | 27/07/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 8 marks, 1 goal

Another of WA’s high-end prospects for next year, Mellody capped off a terrific finals series with one more productive performance. He played an all-round game off half-back, mopping up everything in his area and getting busy on the counterattack. The bottom-ager snuck forward to get several looks on goal and slotted one home on the run in the opening term. Mellody’s kicking was stylish and he used both feet when looking to open up the game, proving a key playmaker for the Tigers. The more they got it in his hands, the better their transitional play was.

#24 George Gale
Wing/Defender | 187cm | 06/09/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks

Much like Willis and Mellody, Gale helped Claremont connect from end to end and backed his foot skills throughout the day. He wasn’t afraid to bite off risky or improvisational kicks, able to chip or go flat and long. At 187cm, the bottom-ager also showed his wares with a few overhead efforts and was composed with ball in hand – first on the wing, then increasingly down back as the game wore on.

#26 Harper Banfield
Forward/Midfielder | 181cm | 18/12/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 marks, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Akin to his elder brother, Banfield’s intensity suited the occasion and he took little time to impact the match. He was an energetic member of the forwardline, willing to work his opponent over up the ground and helping move the play into attack. The bottom-ager well and truly got off the leash through sheer work rate and was rewarded with some midfield exposure. He’ll likely feature there next year as an integral member of the Tigers’ flag defence.

Others:

Samson Jennings-Hopkins was one of five Tigers to boot two goals, showing good spring and liveliness up forward. Kaleb Germain also joined that club and was productive with 20 disposals in midfield, alongside Joshua Grahame. Rucking to the pair was bottom-ager Benji van Rooyen, who won 20 hitouts and looked to be positive with his follow-up work.