SOUTH Fremantle has ended Claremont’s run of three-straight WAFL Colts premierships with a 27-point win in Sunday’s preliminary final at Revo Fitness Stadium. The Bulldogs saluted in the often spiteful contest to set up a Fremantle Derby in the decider, slated for 4:40pm on Sunday at Optus Stadium.

Having skipped out to an early lead, South responded each time they were challenged by consecutive Claremont majors. The prime example of that came in term two, where Bulldogs co-captain Jack McAuliffe took charge with three majors to extend his side’s buffer out to 40 points at half time.

With a mountain to climb heading into the final period, the Tigers were made to rue missed chances as a freakish Cameron Maynard goal at the other end all but sealed their fate. The result will see Claremont miss out on a Grand Final for the first time since 2018, while South searches for its first flag since 2012.

CLAREMONT 2.1 | 4.2 | 6.2 | 9.7 (61)
SOUTH FREMANTLE 4.2 | 9.2 | 12.2 | 14.4 (88)

GOALS:
Claremont: I. Darling 2, G. Giltrow 2, N. Braun, N. Blakeney, R. Farmer, J. Kee, E. Williams
South Fremantle: J. McAuliffe 3, J. Hayden 2, C. Maynard 2, K. Clucas, B. Foster, K. Freight, J. Hunt, E. Nathan, C. Vanderhoek, H. Wilson

BEST:
Claremont: N. Braun, B. van Rooyen, H. Banfield, S. Irving, T. Brown, E. Dennis
South Fremantle: J. McAuliffe, H. Graham, Z. Godwin, C. Vanderhoek, J. Hayden, C. Maynard

CLAREMONT:

#1 Robert Farmer (West Coast NGA)
Forward/Midfielder | 179cm | 17/07/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

It was a game of two halves for Farmer, who showed his raw talent after a few early moments he’d want back. Albeit attempting to assert himself in a fiery final, the Eagles NGA prospect gave away a 100-metre penalty and another needless free kick in the first half. Given he was up for the fight, instead of dragging him, Claremont thrust him into the middle where his speed and creativity came to the fore. He owed his side and eventually played like it, including with a gutsy mark and set shot goal late in the piece. In glimpses, his slick hands and effortless turn of foot caught the eye.

#4 Noah Braun (West Coast F/S)
Midfielder | 183cm | 22/10/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal

Returning to the fold after a quad injury, Braun had a case for being Claremont’s best in defeat. He was equal parts polished and tough on the inside, extracting the ball and dishing it out or accelerating into space. The West Coast father-son hopeful rode the bumps, including with a strong mark to slot his only goal in the first term. Braun’s punchy left-foot field kicking was another feature of his game and he was super efficient in the cut and thrust of finals action.

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

Stats: 26 disposals, 4 marks, 8 tackles

In combination with Braun, Banfield burrowed in hard at stoppages and was prominent amongst the midfield battle. His willingness to hunt and apply pressure made him effective going both ways, both willing the pill and shutting down opposition exits. Banfield’s burst sped and power meant he had opportunities to take ground before launching forward, although some of his delivery wavered under pressure. His overhead mark inside 50 during the final term was reminiscent of big brother Charlie.

#8 Sam Irving
Wing | 190cm | 23/09/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Playing a similar role to George Gale as a tall wingman with strong aerobic underpinnings, Irving was a surprise packet on Sunday. He ran terrific patterns on the outside, providing width and drifting into both 50-metre arcs to offer aerial support. His size and willingness to launch at the ball third-up were outstanding. Irving also looked to utilise his favoured left foot on the way forward and imposed himself physically with some big tackles. He has a bunch of traits perfectly suited to his role.

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

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles

Claremont’s battering ram down back, Brown played tall and small depending on what his side required. He was most prominent in the air, proving difficult to beat in one-on-one battles and throwing himself into contests. Brown’s power and closing speed was enough to make marking forwards wince, and his tackling was just as aggressive. He was thrown into the centre bounces during term four in an attempt to further impose his physicality and urgency.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles

Dennis was a calming influence across Claremont’s defensive half, intercepting in the air and mopping up at ground level. He leant on his mobility and playreading to arrive where the ball was heading, before taking possession and dishing it out with composure. Dennis generally took the ball cleanly and was reliable, but can perhaps take the next step by enhancing his physical output.

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

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 31 hitouts

Clearly confident after his stint at senior level, van Rooyen owned his ruck domain and managed to sustain his impact around the ground. His superior reach and aerial range were difficult to handle both in the ruck and when competing for marks, although the bigman is still developing his contest work. Pleasingly, van Rooyen showed touches of finesse with ball in hand and followed up extremely well for a player his size, even applying heavy tackles at stoppage. A strong end to his season.

SOUTH FREMANTLE:

#1 Cameron Maynard
Small Forward | 171cm | 14/08/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 goals

Maynard’s moments of magic carried on into Sunday’s game, as the small forward helped ice the game with his stunning fourth quarter goal. Latching onto a loose ball out the back, Maynard darted towards the left-hand boundary and threaded the needle via the outside of his right boot. His first goal was credit to that same speed and crumbing ability, with Maynard getting into great positions and attacking the ball with venom. He was hard but fair, perhaps best shown when he and Tom Brown careered into each other during the first term, with Maynard popping back up first.

#5 Jack McAuliffe
Midfielder/Forward | 177cm | 14/02/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 tackles, 8 inside 50s, 3 goals

They say the third is the premiership quarter, but McAuliffe went about 25 minutes early with his game-defining three goals in term two. His killer instinct was clear to see, showing innate goal sense to quickly slam the ball home on the run not once, but thrice. The co-captain’s two majors on the eve of half time were massive team-lifters, while his first came on the end of a shrewd smother. McAuliffe was otherwise sighted scrapping hard to surge the ball forward and laid a selfless shepherd to send Jye Hunt into goal during term three.

#11 Heath Wilson
Midfielder | 187cm | 04/08/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 7 tackles, 1 goal

While not a massive accumulator, Wilson played an important role in midfield where his size and strong frame were essential. He absorbed pressure and dished it out, either standing up in tackles to release teammates or wrapping up opponents to force a stoppage. Wilson was difficult to outmuscle in one-on-one duels or over the ground ball, and tended to dish it out cleanly. Adding a touch of explosive speed and dynamism could help take his game to the next level. Although, he managed to hurt the opposition with a snap goal in the first term which he chased over the back.

#12 Chace Vanderhoek
Midfielder | 177cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

The recently crowned Jack Clarke Medallist has just about done it all at Colts level as a bottom-ager, pending a potential premiership this coming weekend. Vanderhoek was typically clean at stoppage and worked hard to provide support around the ground, looking his best when able to remain poised and distribute the ball calmly. He was prone to dumping long kicks under pressure, but had plenty of instances where he stopped, propped and found space to make the right decision. He was another midfielder who hit the scoreboard, converting a long-range set shot in the opening term.

#15 Jarrah Hayden
Forward | 184cm | 30/10/2007

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals

The only over-ager to take the field, Hayden certainly made his presence felt. Defiant of his stat line, he was a vital connection piece for South Fremantle with his ability to present down the line and play a little taller than his 184cm standing. Hayden’s strong frame and raking left foot served him well as he looked to follow up and launch the ball forward, often having to absorb plenty of pressure in doing so. His two goals were quality, the first being a ridiculous snap from the boundary, and his second coming from a tough set shot to steady South Fremantle in the third term.

#20 Hudson Graham
Key Defender | 194cm | 28/05/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 14 kicks, 5 marks

Graham has been instrumental throughout the back-end of the season, settling into a familiar role down back. He was rock solid on Sunday, often taking on Claremont’s best tall forward or rotating ruck and holding his own aerially. Holding his ground, leaping confidently and extending overhead, Graham reeled in some impressive intercept marks. He did most of his work deep in defence where he was also trusted with the kick-in duties, distributing the ball with his usual class. At 194cm, his deceptive agility is a great addition to his work as a competitive and versatile defender.

#23 Byron Foster
Ruck/Key Forward | 196cm | 05/06/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 tackles, 19 hitouts, 1 goal

Foster’s big moment came in the second term where he was one-out with Brown deep inside 50, beat him to the loose ball and stepped around him before slotting an outstanding goal. He was duly given a rousing reception by the Bulldogs faithful for what was an impressive act for a 196cm player. Foster was arguably outgunned in the ruck but played to his strengths and showed great mobility around the ground, handling and delivering the ball efficiently. His skills and athleticism are promising for a tall who can play in each key position on the ground.