CLAREMONT and Subiaco produced near-identical winning scores as Round 2 of the 2023 WAFL Colts season was run and done over the weekend. We highlighted the top performers from the Tigers’ and Lions’ wins before taking a look around the grounds.

>> WAFL League wrap: Round 2

By: Ethan Roth

CLAREMONT:

#8 Kai Dehavilland

A day to remember for the 18-year-old from Scarborough, who produced a statline that most would envy. Someone who’s been a high possession getter in the past, Dehavilland was the most composed, yet influential player on the ground, finding the footy 24 times, not to mention two goals, seven marks and four inside 50s. Had soldiers around him in the midfield to bounce off, but Dehavilland was very much the instigator in majority the play. A dominant display to say the least.

#9 Bailey Banfield

The Eagles father-son prospect continued where he left off on from Round 1 to start extremely well in this one. Was a bit quieter as the game drifted but still gathered 14 disposals and should be acknowledged for the way he fought the out the game even if the result was looking obvious in Claremont’s favour. However, for a player who has lightning speed, it was perhaps Banfield’s improvement in his tackling pressure that stood out most even when the match was long won as mentioned.

#12 Sam Van Rooyen

The younger brother of recent Melbourne debutant Jacob Van Rooyen, Sam’s game was very much one of few possessions but high impact as he finished with two goals and a behind from just five possessions. His ability to crash packs and take the ball at the highest point is often his strongest suit, as he worked up the ground and deep inside 50 to take five marks. Like his brother, the more he leaps at the footy, the more he potent he looks is which is a scary thought considering the 18-year-old is only just starting to get noticed by outsiders.

#50 Harry Cole

In a typical Cole-like game, the over-ager worked tirelessly for 16 disposals and an impressive seven marks as a high half-forward, while having stints in the guts. Despite not being drafted last year, Cole continues to lead by example and was quite often the key link in the chain when the Tigers would move the ball from end to end fluently. No doubt the younger Claremont players in their first or second year only benefit from having someone of Cole’s calibre and experience around them.

SOUTH FREMANTLE:

#3 Ashton Ferreira

Provided the spark the Bulldogs often lacked for four quarters in his first Colts outing for the year after missing last week. With 17 disposals playing predominantly in the front half, Ferreira is a smart player who did some good things in passages of play, whether it was simply hitting targets in windy conditions or just getting in the right positions, even he wasn’t on the end of that particular possession. If the Bulldogs can find more players to step up, as Ferreira did then that’ll only hold them in good stead.

#8 Jacob Whan

Couldn’t have done much more in his side’s 57-point defeat with a game-high 25 disposals and an equal game-high nine marks. A strong player overhead, the powerful Roleystone JFC product, is enjoying more responsibility in the middle this season and at 187cm and 88kg, his frame often proves too much for the lighter framed Colts. Covered the ground well, so unfortunate that other teammates didn’t come along for the ride, as it could’ve been a different story.

#19 Edward Graham

A similar stat sheet to his counterpart Whan, Graham also managed nine marks to go with 24 disposals which was the best performance of his WAFL colts’ career by a fair margin especially as a key position player. Another big body beyond his years of 193cm and 97kg, the Narrogin product battled hard all day to create a contest and although he didn’t hit the scoreboard, that was mainly due to a lack of supply inside 50 rather than a true reflection of his effort.

By: Charlie McCormack

SUBIACO:

#2 Tyler Senge

Stationed on a half-forward flank, Senge played an important role in linking between the forward line and the midfield, gathering 18 disposals, three marks, and booting a goal. The lightly framed 17-year-old used the ball cleverly in attacking positions, often lowering his eyes going forward to find the loose teammate instead of blazing away to a contest.

#7 Lance Collard

While he was not the most prolific player on the ground, few others had more influence on the result than Collard did, as he hurt the Royals every time he touched the football. The 18-year-old rotated between midfield and forward and was able to impose himself in both positions, booting three goals up front while looking particularly dangerous at stoppages, using his pace and power to break away from congestion on numerous occasions. He also produced an early contender for mark of the year, soaring over an opponent to take a genuine screamer in the first term. He finished with 16 disposals.

#20 Dylan O’Dea

The strongly built defender played a strong game across half-back, combining well with Ethan Barbieri to provide a good source of rebound from defence. The North Beach product played with good physical presence, applying himself well when called upon to defend but was also proactive with ball in hand, looking to take the game on and stimulate some fast ball movement for his side. He finished with 17 disposals and three marks.

#22 Oscar Dees

The midfielder was the heartbeat for his side throughout the contest, working hard at stoppages and around the ground to register 28 disposals and five marks in a performance that saw him have 10 more disposals than anyone else on the ground. The 17-year-old was particularly impressive early, showing clean hands to win a number of contested ground balls at clearances. He also used the ball smartly, generally finding the right options and attempting to bite off the more adventurous kick through the corridor when it was available

EAST PERTH:

#5 Will Cassidy

The on-baller was the Royal’s most productive player across the four quarters, applying himself well in the engine room to finish with 18 disposals and five marks. Against a dynamic Subiaco midfield group, Cassidy had his work cut out at the coalface but he managed to win enough clearances for himself and spread well around the ground to be an influential player. He drifted forward late to kick a goal and cap off what was another solid display from one of the competition’s more consistent players.

#14 Bailey Harbour

The key back was among the better contributors for his side, battling manfully in defence before being shifted forward in the second half to provide some impetus in attack for the Royals. The 17-year-old has been building nicely as tall defender over the past season and he showed some glimpses of his development, as he competed well aerially and looked assured with ball in hand. With his side struggling to generate many scoring options, Harbour was swung forward late in the game and although he didn’t have huge impact, he showed he could be a swingman if required.

#16 Xavier Milner

The wingman continued his impressive start to the campaign, backing up a good performance last week with another strong outing against Subiaco, gathering 14 touches and eight marks. The over-ager used the ball beautifully, with his penetrating left foot kick leading to several scores or forward entries although he would have liked to have accumulated more disposals, given how damaging he can be with ball in hand.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Perth kicked off the Round 2 proceedings with a 47-point win over Peel Thunder on Friday night. The Demons kept the reigning premier goalless after quarter time and booted eight of their nine majors in the first half, before running out 9.8 (62) to 1.9 (15) victors at Lane Group Stadium.

Robert Warrell did much of the scoreboard damage with three goals, as Aiden O’Driscoll again proved prolific for his game-high 22 disposals and one goal. Elijah Scoble (21 disposals, 10 marks) was also prominent and Coen Livingston won 40 hitouts, while Reece Torrent (18 disposals, seven marks) was among Peel’s best.

Over at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday, East Fremantle picked up its second win on the trot after downing Swan Districts by 47 points. The Sharks kicked five goals in either half and restricted the Swans’ scoring impact to get up 10.12 (72) to 3.7 (25).

Sharks duo Presley Campbell and James Spadanuda combined for 72 disposals in another dominant display, with Samuel Otto claiming 34 of his own. Meanwhile, Griffin Vladich (three goals) led the scoring effort. Lewis Zolnier-Owens (two goals) was the Swans’ sole multiple goalkicker, as Luke Kelly and Jack Saunders saw the most ball.