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Opinion

Swans soar as Tigers miss chance to roar: 2021 WAFL colts grand final match review

Marcus Beeck new author
Roar Rookie
2nd October, 2021
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Marcus Beeck new author
Roar Rookie
2nd October, 2021
2

Today’s match was set to be a thrilling contest from the outset after the two teams’ previous match-ups for the year were all decided by under ten points.

Although Swan Districts had lost their last game against Claremont in a semi-final two weeks prior, they had no reason to lack confidence after they had won the minor premiership only four weeks ago.

The Tigers started the game strong as potential top-30 draft prospect key forward Jacob van Rooyen kicked two early goals to put Claremont in great stead. Swans captain Ben Hewett was then quick to reply as he kicked a much-needed goal to help settle their nerves.

The Swans soon placed another top prospect, key defender Rhett Bazzo, on van Rooyen after he kicked three goals for the quarter while also setting up the Tigers fourth through Fletcher Netherway. As the crowd started to build in the stands at Optus Stadium, the term finished with Claremont ahead by nine points.

The second quarter however was in complete contrast to the first, as the Swans’ pressure was consistent and brutal. They proceeded to kick four unanswered goals thanks to the electric Ayden Cartwright who sparked the Swans with two great snapping goals, one being a freakish effort from the right forward pocket.

The decision to put Bazzo on van Rooyen was brilliant as he completely shut down the Tigers’ key forward. Claremont were able to regain some confidence after a late goal (which was potentially touched) from Tigers forward Kieran Kavanagh in the dying stages of the first half put Claremont within 11 points at the main break.

In the third quarter, the pendulum of momentum swung again as the Tigers quickly found their fast, free-flowing style of football that they had in the first quarter. Angus Sheldrick, Claremont’s primary ball magnet, began to flex his muscles as he kicked two goals, one using a Dustin Martin-esque style fend off to help further increase the Tigers lead.

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Eric Benning, a member of the Fremantle Dockers Next Generation Academy, rose from his fairly quiet first half to dominate in the ruck for Claremont, amassing six clearances to help get his side back in front.

Just prior to the three quarter time siren van Rooyen was able to break the shackles placed on him by the Swans defence. He took a strong contested mark inside the forward fifty and kicked truly to put the Tigers up by eight points in this seesawing affair.

In the last quarter, the tide began to turn again as the Swans, led by midfielders Elijah Hewett (22 touches) and Bailey Jenkin (14 touches and two goals) with the former being awarded best on ground after his crucial goals in the final term put Swan Districts back in the lead.

Claremont captain Sean Williams was able to keep his head held high after three or four of his efforts in defensive 50 helped prevent the Swans from scoring.

Generic AFL ball.

(Credit: The Malones/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

But with the Swans pressing once again, Ben Hewitt took a strong contested grab just outside the Swans forward 50 before turning and kicking accurately to key forward Tyrell Metcalf. Metcalf, who had just returned from a two-week suspension, calmly went back and slotted his third for the game.

And as the ball went back to the centre of the oval a chant of “Swannies” began to echo around Optus Stadium. Swans supporters, staff, coaches and players began to realise that the WAFL Colts premiership cup would be returning to the Steel Blue Oval for the first time since 2008.

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Claremont: 12.6-78

Swan Districts: 12.14-86

Claremont goals: Jacob van Rooyen 4, Peter Coles 3, Angus Sheldrick 2, Kieran Kavanagh, Max Mumme, Fletcher Netherway.

Swan Districts goals: Tyrell Metcalf 3, Ayden Cartwright 2, Bailey Jenkin 2, Cian Ehlers, Benjamin Hewett, Brayden Jones, Ty Sears, James Sullivan.

Claremont best: Sheldrick, Van Rooyen, Coles, Eric Benning,Talon Delacey, Jacquin Ciminata.

Swan Districts best: Jenkin, Elijah Hewett, Metcalf, Cartwright, Rhett Bazzo, Bryce Watson

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