CLAREMONT has begun its latest premiership defence with a grinding seven-point win over West Perth in Joondalup on Saturday night. In what was a scrappy, low-scoring encounter to close out Round 1 of the new Colts season, the Tigers and Falcons were separated by no more than one point at each break. We took note of some of the top prospects and performers from either side.

WEST PERTH 1.0 | 3.4 | 5.6 | 7.7 (49)
CLAREMONT 1.1 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 8.8 (56)

GOALS:
West Perth: C. Creyk 2, H. Bewick, Z. Dwyer, S. Gliddon, K. LeCras, H. Spawton-Guy
Claremont: C. Anning 2, D. Newry 2, R. Farmer, J. Florido, S. Gallagher, B. van Rooyen

RMC BEST:
West Perth: C. Creyk, R. Williamson, T. Barrowclough, L. Boczar, M. Collins
Claremont: L. Sheldrick, G. Gale, T. Brown, H. Banfield, B. van Rooyen

WEST PERTH:

#7 Maxim Collins
Key Defender | 194cm | 06/11/2009

Stats: 30 disposals, 7 marks, 2 tackles

The West Perth defence was made to work overtime on Saturday, highlighted by Collins topping his side’s disposal count with 30. Shaping up with good height and size, the bottom-ager stood tall as an interceptor across the last line who could also set up a wall up the field. He had a couple of dicey moments deep in defence during the dying stages, but absorbed plenty of pressure down back.

#15 Luca Boczar
Defender | 185cm | 21/02/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 14 kicks, 4 marks

While others ruled the airways, Boczar provided plenty of run and connectivity out of defensive 50. He took on some of the kick-in duties and looked most dangerous when attempting to break the lines, using his speed and foot skills to do so. Boczar also proved he could lock down on lively small forwards, but arguably impacted more when driving West Perth’s transitional play.

#17 Koby LeCras
Utility | 192cm | 26/04/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 marks, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

LeCras started up on the wing and spent plenty of time on-ball, spending far less time in arguably his most natural position up forward. Although, it meant he was able to get his hands on the ball more readily, demanding it as a leading outlet in defensive transitions and through the middle. LeCras’ work rate and aerial nous held him in good stead to play such a role, before spending time ahead of the ball and slotting an important final quarter goal from a downfield free kick. He wasn’t shy to unload on his favoured left side heading inside 50 with the big sticks in sight.

#20 Harvey Spawton-Guy
Ruck/Key Forward | 195cm | 08/09/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 5 hitouts, 1 goal

The going was tough for Spawton-Guy against van Rooyen in the ruck, but he did his best to equalise contests and was particularly competitive early on. He was nimble enough to stay upright and follow-up on loose balls at stoppage, before clearing long by foot or dishing off. The top-ager looked cool and calm in possession while drifting around the ground to be a marking option – albeit without always clunking the ball in packs. Spawton-Guy hit the scoreboard after a diving mark in term one, converting the set shot opportunity in typically composed fashion.

#23 Tadhg Barrowclough
Tall Defender | 191cm | 22/06/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 19 kicks, 14 marks

Another resolute and reliable member of West Perth’s busy backline, Barrowclough helped settle things as Claremont poured on the pressure. His method was simple yet effective, dropping into the holes across defensive 50 and hardly fumbling an intercept. The bottom-ager even stood firm with opponents climbing over his back, proving calm under high balls when others might falter.

#28 Campbell Creyk
Midfielder | 182cm | 03/04/2009

Stats: 27 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals

Creyk’s explosive bursts were a feature of his game on Saturday. Whether clearing the stoppage with a booming kick or swooping on loose balls, he performed with purpose and helped put West Perth on the front foot. While he tended to rush and dump the ball long at times, Creyk produced some moments of high class – including his pair of checkside goals in open play. He’ll make plenty of opponents look silly with his powerful turn of foot and ability to take the game on.

#31 Rafe Williamson
Defender | 189cm | 26/02/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 13 kicks, 3 inside 50s

Williamson showed great versatility as an integral member of West Perth’s solid back six. The bottom-ager’s speed was evident when rebounding the ball, adding dare and dash to the play. He added substance to the flair by halving one-on-one contests and rising for intercept marks, using his athleticism to act on the reads he made. That ability to impact as either a tall or small helped the Falcons build a defensive wall that could threaten Claremont on the counter.

CLAREMONT:

#6 Harper Banfield (West Coast F/S)
Midfielder | 181cm | 18/12/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s

Donning the number six passed down by elder brother Charlie, the next Banfield in line – Harper – started his season on a high. He was typically combative on the inside as a willing first possession winner, but also showed quick feed to escape congestion untouched. Banfield’s agility allowed him to find wide kicks or get penetration going forward, rounding out his all-action stoppage work.

#7 George Gale
Defender/Wing | 190cm | 06/09/2008

Stats: 32 disposals, 9 marks, 5 inside 50s

Gale led all comers with 32 disposals and made good on his time at the centre bounces late in the piece. He won a couple of important clearances to help Claremont build a buffer, having previously shown his prowess on the outside. Gale worked into all the right channels to receive and launch the ball forward, facilitating smooth ball movement with his playmaking attributes. While he may lack leg speed, he fares well overhead and utilises his clean fundamental skills.

#10 Tom Brown
Defender | 188cm | 29/07/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles

Brown attacked everything like a man possessed on Saturday, seemingly keen to get stuck in after a long off-season. He played tenpin bowling with opponents when a ball was there to be won, whether in the air or at ground level. Brown proved capable of playing above his size as a third-up or one-on-one defender, doing his best to at least halve aerial contests. His straight-line approach and physical nature were effective in snuffing out West Perth’s spurts of momentum. A real competitor.

#25 Elijah Dennis
Key Defender | 193cm | 26/05/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks

One of the many ‘brothers-of’ in this Claremont side, Dennis has similar traits to elder sibling Clancy. The top-ager had his best moments against arguably his toughest opponent, nullifying Spawton-Guy’s aerial presence inside 50. Dennis wasn’t afraid to go back with the flight and played the percentages when necessary, but just as easily clunked intercept marks under high pressure.

#31 Lachlan Sheldrick
Midfielder | 182cm | 25/04/2009

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Impressing in his Colts debut, Sheldrick showcased many of the attributes which propelled elder brother Angus onto an AFL list. He proved his ball-winning acumen from the outset, hunting it at ground level and launching forward with kicks on either foot. Sheldrick’s turn of speed was a weapon in bringing the ball to the outside, allowing for those effective launches from stoppage with a touch of flair. He can add touches of polish to his kicking, but has a terrific base to work off.

#38 Benji van Rooyen
Ruck | 203cm | 17/09/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 16 hitouts, 1 goal

Yet another familiar name for the Tigers, van Rooyen imposed himself in the ruck. He exhibited clean handling on the follow-up to impact past the initial ruck contest, while also becoming a presence on long kicks down the line. van Rooyen laid a few solid tackles and took his opportunity to slot a clutch set shot goal in the final term, rounding out his performance nicely. A good start for the top-ager.