It was a sight to gladden the hearts of all Claremont supporters --- Kane Mitchell running on to Claremont Oval last Saturday to play in his first match for 572 days.

 And what a delightful return to action it was by Mitchell, wearing the No. 1 jumper in the pre-season scratch match against Perth.

He started on the scoreboard wing and revealing his trademark aggressive approach to the football the 28-year-old Mitchell gained the first kick of the contest. He produced a splendid four-quarter effort and finished with five marks, 15 kicks, 14 effective handpasses and five tackles.

It was certainly a grand return by the hard-running midfielder and 2012 Sandover medallist who spent four years playing for AFL side Port Adelaide and the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL competition before taking the year off in 2017 to enjoy snow-boarding in Canada and travelling around the United States and South America.

Saturday’s match was his first game since he helped the Port Adelaide Magpies beat Norwood by 25 points at Alberton Oval on Sunday, August 21, 2016. It was also his first appearance for the Tigers for exactly 2000 days --- when he was a shining light for Claremont in the club’s great victory by 26 points over East Fremantle in the WAFL grand final at Subiaco Oval on Sunday, September 23, 2012.

His namesake, Corey Mitchell, a son of triple Claremont league premiership player Kevin Mitchell, also was under the spotlight in Saturday’s scratch match, playing in a forward pocket. The diminutive 19-year-old showed sparkling speed, made position cleverly and impressed greatly with his tenacity and strongly tackling.

Another forward to show out with his tackling and the pressure he put on his opponents was half-forward Alex Manuel, who looks set for an excellent season.

By Ken Casellas