CLAREMONT 4.1 | 5.4 | 8.7 | 14.8 (92) GOALS: BEST: <\/p>\n\n\n\n CLAREMONT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #5 <\/strong>Joseph Hopkyns<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>10 disposals, 5 marks<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Claremont captain was resolute as ever down back, winning all his key one-on-ones and completing several intercepts. He often had the job on bottom-age talent Harvey Spawton-Guy <\/strong>and fared well when isolated, but also peeled off to impact the contest when required. Hopkyns wasn\u2019t afraid to venture up the field and looked to launch the ball long on his favoured left foot with minimal fuss. He provided great support for teammates too, as good leader should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #6 <\/strong>Charlie Banfield<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>25 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was another massive game from Banfield, whose crash-and-bash style suited the conditions. He thrived on contested situations, using his size to break through tackles and hack the ball forward or dish off by hand. His handling held up well in those instances, while he tested that of the opposition with some ruthless hits and tackles. Banfield\u2019s ability to accumulate as a physical presence on the inside have impressed after spending the National Championships as a wing\/forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #7 <\/strong>Cody Curtin<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>12 disposals, 9 marks, 5 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n After being well held last week, Curtin was back to his best with a bag of five goals as Claremont’s focal point. It was the fourth time he has kicked five or more majors in seven Colts appearances this season. Manned by Falcons captain Lochlain Carpenter<\/strong>, the hulking forward charged out on leads and was simply immovable in physical battles. His bodywork and finishing were key features all day, particularly with a set shot conversion from the wrong side boundary for a right-footer in term one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #9 <\/strong>Oscar Willis<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of Claremont\u2019s many classy ball users across half-back, Willis consistently ventured high up the ground and attacked with overlap run. He timed his movements well to support teammates on the outside and drive the ball forward, often finishing off with a long kick. Willis was also tidy in slow play and despite coming up short in a couple of contests, rose for some clean intercept marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #20 <\/strong>Benji van Rooyen<\/a> Stats: <\/strong><\/strong>15 disposals, 4 tackles, 35 hitouts<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was another competitive display from van Rooyen, who took toll with a hefty size advantage in the ruck. He used his craft and reach to access the ball, being tested for strength but winning a game-high 35 hitouts. The bottom-ager also showed intent on the follow-up and plucked a couple of crisp marks overhead in the third quarter, holding firm in contests down the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #22 <\/strong>Heath Mellody<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>24 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n Switching it up for a role across half-back, Mellody’s ball use remained clean in testing conditions. He hit some piercing passes long and wide, showcasing an ability to not only gain good distance, but also weight his kicks to perfection. Mellody got on his bike to help deliver the ball high up the field and was adept at winning his own ball at ground level. He seemed to make all the right decisions with ball in hand and looks like being one of WA’s best prospects for next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #24 <\/strong>George Gale<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>15 disposals, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Along with Willis and Mellody, Gale stood out with some immaculate use of the heavy pill. He switched between the wing and half-back, working the ball into dangerous launch zones and punishing West Perth when given the opportunity to kick inside 50. He exhibited great vision and execution on the move, able to hit the ball flat or on creative angles. That kind of play, even in sheeting rain, was a constant along with Gale’s smooth movement on the outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #26 <\/strong>Harper Banfield<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>21 disposals, 7 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n The commentary call lauded that if one Banfield doesn\u2019t get you, the other one will. Well, they both got West Perth on Sunday. The more junior brother brought great energy and intent to his high forward role, working up the ground to help Claremont connect into attack. He proved difficult to contain and was ultra competitive when the ball was there to be won, getting stuck in despite still being just 16 years of age. Banfield also hit the scoreboard, converting a sliding mark in term three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WEST PERTH:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #4 <\/strong>Jacob Farrow<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, 11 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a relatively quiet end to Farrow’s campaign, those just about all of his 14 touches were laden with class. He started the game on-ball and made tackling a key feature of his game from the outset, consistently locking up opponents. His strength and size made absorbing Claremont’s pressure a little easier, though Farrow also showed he could step through traffic and take ground on the outside. He’ll now turn his attention to the National Draft Combine in Melbourne next month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #9 <\/strong>Lochlain Carpenter<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>15 disposals, 7 marks<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carpenter had arguably the toughest matchup of anyone afield, tasked with taking on Cody Curtin<\/strong>. The Falcons captain made a few statements in the early stages, charging out at the ball and intercepting with intent, before taking a direct approach to clearing his lines. He provided vocal instructions and a calm head, also getting involved in West Perth\u2019s slow play out of defence. Despite his best efforts to split contests throughout the day, Curtin\u2019s scoring impact eventually won out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WEST PERTH 2.1 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 7.6 (48)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Claremont: <\/strong>C. Curtin 5, S. Jennings-Hopkins 3, C. Cossom 2, M. Hansen-Knarhoi, H. Banfield, R. Farmer, C. Watson
West Perth: <\/strong>H. Spawton-Guy 3, J. Marcello, A. Drewett, K. LeCras, M. Connell<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Claremont: <\/strong>H. Mellody, J. Hopkyns, J. Cattalini, H. Banfield, C. Banfield
West Perth: <\/strong>L. Boczar, A. Ross, S. Hewitt, L. Carpenter, P. Young<\/p>\n\n\n\nClaremont<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>West Perth<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Key Defender | 193cm | 12\/09\/2006<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder | 191cm | 18\/07\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Forward | 200cm | 18\/05\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defender | 186cm | 27\/07\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruck | 203cm | 17\/09\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defender | 181cm | 27\/07\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defender\/Wing | 187cm | 06\/09\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forward | 181cm | 18\/12\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Defender | 189cm | 21\/09\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Defender | 194cm | 01\/04\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n