Harry Taylor, a key member of Claremont’s 2013 colts premiership side, is making a smooth transition from defence to a wing.

The 17-year-old Taylor excelled on a wing and played a major role in Claremont’s 42-point victory over Perth in a round 1 clash at Lathlain Park on Saturday where he took six marks, had 16 kicks and made eight effective handpasses. He had three clearances from stoppages and sent the ball inside his side’s 50m attacking zone four times.

Jared Hardisty was busy on the other wing and the side received great impetus from a powerful midfield, led by Alec Waterman, Sam Humphry, Ryan Lim and Bailey Rogers.

This midfield ascendancy made life comparatively easy for the Tigers defence which conceded only six goals. Noted forward Sam Bevan relished the change to centre-half-back where he overshadowed Reid Polak. The other defenders were rarely beaten and it was pleasing to watch the spirited efforts of Josh Barty, a newcomer from New South Wales.

The lead changed hands eight times in the first half of the contest. From then on, the Tigers dominated proceedings.

Half-forward flanker Isaac Baum opened Claremont’s goalscoring after ten minutes when Hardisty delivered to full-forward Matt Palfrey, whose pass was marked by Baum. Soon after that Baum was under notice for applying a strong tackle on a Perth opponent.

Centre-half-forward Nick Reid soccered Claremont’s second major after a boundary throw-in in the right pocket. The Demons drew level early in the second quarter when full-forward Lennon Marlin received a free-kick and kicked truly. Claremont hit back with an accurate snap from Lim from a scrimmage. This forward move involved big Jake Jones, Jack Prendiville and Palfrey.

Half-back flanker Harrison Court took a clever one-handed mark in the centre and booted the ball deep into attack where Reid took a tumbling mark before his shot sailed out of bounds on the full.

Claremont regained the lead just before half time when Palfrey handpassed to Harry Wilkinson, whose pass was marked by Hardisty for Claremont’s fourth goal in a low-scoring encounter in warm conditions.

Claremont added 3.4 to Perth’s 1.1 in the third term, with Lim outstanding, Waterman continuing in grand style, Will McSweeney holding sway in the ruck duels, Palfrey dominating at centre-half-forward after switching with Reid, and Baum, Wilkinson, Prendiville and Lawrence Evans also proving dangerous in attack.

Earlier in the quarter it was Court to McSweeney for another attacking sortie which saw the talented Evans soaring high and virtually floating to pull down a spectacular mark. Evans passed to Baum, but the move ended with a snapped behind to Reid.

Reid then scrambled a major from the goalsquare after a move involving Barty, Humphry, Wilkinson and Rogers. A Taylor pass to McSweeney resulted in a behind. Palfrey was roaming far and wide to put his special stamp on the contest and he finally registered his first goal after marking a pass from Barty, who had received a handpass from Waterman.  

Two minutes later and 60 seconds before the three-quarter-time siren the busy Humphry snapped truly after some strong work by Reid against Perth’s Sam McGillivray.

Palfrey was in full flight in the final quarter as he booted Claremont’s first three goals. First it was Taylor to Hardisty to Palfrey, who took a bounce before booting a goal. A Hardisty handball and a rushed kick from defender Logan Stubber enabled Palfrey to get another. And 90 seconds later the left-footed palfrey notched his fourth for the match after he capitalised on some good work from Baum and Harry McCracken.

Claremont’s final two goals came from Jones. First, it was Waterman sending the side into attack where Evans worked hard before cleverly tapping the ball on to Jones, who snapped truly with the left boot. Then a Barty handpass in the centre saw Palfrey boot the ball long into attack where Jones held the mark.

It was an encouraging all-round performance from the Tigers, who now travel to Joondalup to do battle with the Falcons this coming Saturday.

by Ken Casellas

Details:

Scorers---CLAREMONT: M. Palfrey 4.3; N. Reid 2.3; J. Jones 2.0; S. Humphry, R. Lim 1.1; I. Baum, J. Hardisty 1.0; W. McSweeney, A. Waterman 0.1; 2pts forced. PERTH: L. Marlin 3.2; R. Polak 1.1; T. Greene, C. Jones 1.0; S. Doncon, T. Phillips 0.1; 1pt forced.

Best---CLAREMONT: H. Taylor, M. Palfrey, A. Waterman, R. Lim, I. Baum, S. Humphry, L. Evans, S. Bevan, H. Court. PERTH: S. Doncon, C. Leggett, L. Marlin, M. Henderson, J. Greene, B. Manuel.