Intra-club Report: Rogers excels in new role

By Ken Casellas

Jack Richardson handpassing to Keifer Yu, who got the ball on to Anton Hamp. That was a delightful passage of cohesive play late in the opening quarter of Claremont’s practice match at East Fremantle Oval on Saturday morning. The move ended with Bailey Rogers snapping a goal.

The decision to use Rogers as a midfielder was the most significant feature of the scratch match which was played in enervating heat and ended in an 11-point victory to the blue side over the gold combination.

The 19-year-old Rogers was a shining light for the Tigers last year when he was outstanding as a rugged, no-nonsense defender and finished fifth in the club’s fairest-and-best award.

An experiment on Saturday to use him on the ball was a notable success.

A total of 48 players took part in the scratch match, with a dozen senior men and regular league players being rested before the practice matches against Subiaco at Leederville Oval next Saturday and against South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval the following Saturday.

One of the absentees was mercurial small forward Jack Bradshaw, who is recovering from concussion and a broken nose received during training at the John XXIII playing fields last Thursday.

A crunching tackle by Ben Rushforth on Lachie Martinis in the opening minute in Saturday’s match set the standard for the morning when all players contested the ball fiercely and tackled and chased with considerable zest.

There was some fumbling and missuse of the ball early in the contest, but this was to be expected in the heatwave conditions with all players extremely anxious to impress the coaching staff.

There were many heartening features, the most enjoyable watching a dashing display on a half-forward flank from Aaron Holt, who was unable to make a single league appearance in 2016 because of a nagging foot injury.

Half-back flanker Jess Laurie and skilful forward Nick Winmar are settling well back with the Tigers after a few years away and they showed that they have lost none of their skill.

Claremont will miss the services of dependable full-back Brandon Franz, who, at the age of 31, has decided to retire from league football. It was good to watch 20-year-old Luke Maddock perform with aplomb at full-back after an excellent pre-season preparation. Maddock, who finished second in the fairest-and-best voting for the reserves side last year, is big and strong and gives his opponent little leeway.

Fraser Gilbert, an outstanding performer for the colts in 2015, is back at the club after a year away and he also showed good form at full-back on Saturday. The selectors switched Anton Hamp from centre-half-forward to full-back in the final quarter.

Unheralded teenager Harrison Wroth caught the eye with a spirited four-quarter effort, showing that he has the skill and temperament to make a mark in football as he gains experience.

He started on a wing and was also used with good effect as an inside midfielder. He began brilliantly with a six-kick first quarter. Jack Richardson’s second goal came after he received a pass from ruckman Jeremy Goddard. This attacking move was generated by strong straight-ahead play by Wroth deep in defence.

Wroth, who celebrated his 19^th birthday last Wednesday, made one appearance for the Claremont colts last year (against Subiaco in round nine), before playing the rest of the season in amateur ranks with Collegians.

Goddard continues to impress with his prowess as a knock ruckman. He was generally pitted against Oliver Eastland, who also worked hard and did well around the ground.

Classy midfielder Matt Guelfi showed that he is on the doorstep of a fine season, while Gerrick Weedon excited the handful of spectators with his composure and tremendous strength in the clinches in the forward line.

Bailey Banfield was a dynamic midfielder and forwards Richardson (two goals), Alex Manuel (three), Ed Simpson (three) and Matt Palfrey and Ben Higgs (two each) all had their moments.

Jared Hardisty revealed his typical strong work ethic on the ball and John Williams was resolute as well as dashing in defence for four quarters. Yu and Matt Davies shone on half-back flanks in the first half before being rested, while Tom Ledger, Tom Shanahan, Zac Langdon and Harry McCracken all got plenty of the ball and Justin Speed relished the opportunity to play as a ruckman in the final quarter.

Blue team 10.5 beat Gold team 8.6.

Scorers --- Blue team: J. Richardson, B. Higgs 2.1; M. Palfrey 2.0; B. Delaporte, B. Rogers, G. Weedon, B. Wilson 1.0; D. Ehlers, K. Gilbert 0.1; 1pt forced.  Gold team: A. Manuel, E. Simpson 3.0; J. Goddard 1.0; Z. Langdon, N. Winmar 0.2; A. Hamp, S. Morton 0.1.

NEXT GAME (PRE-SEASON FIXTURE):

CLAREMONT vs. SUBIACO

9.20AM (DEVP) 12.05PM (LEAGUE) 3:05PM (COLTS), SAT 4TH MARCH, LEEDERVILLE OVAL