SPYVEE, A SHINING LIGHT

BY KEN CASELLAS

Dynamic midfielder Max Spyvee is not big and powerful, but he is skilful, fearless and energetic.

The 18-year-old, the second youngest member of the Claremont reserves side, has been a shining light this season with his fierce attack on the ball, ferocious tackling and his deft disposal, both by hand and foot.

He was a dominant factor in Claremont’s 26-point victory over East Fremantle at East Fremantle Oval on Saturday when he took three marks, had ten kicks and made ten effective handpasses. And, for good measure, he laid seven tackles, a tally equalled by spirited half-forward flanker Tyron Smallwood.

The victory lifted the Tigers from fifth to fourth on the premiership table and kept alive the side’s hopes of qualifying for an appearance in the first semi-final. Claremont now must defeat West Perth at home at Revo Fitness Stadium next Saturday to reach the semis.

A stiff south-westerly breeze ensured that the bulk of the scoring would be at the northern end of the ground. Claremont’s tremendous effort to restrict the Sharks to just 1.1 with the wind in the opening term (while scoring the same tally) was a decisive reason in the side’s victory. The contest ended with Claremont adding 9.14 with the wind and 1.2 against the breeze, with East Fremantle scoring 6.2 with and 2.1 against the wind.

Spyvee’s quality performance followed an equally impressive display in the match against Perth the previous Saturday when he dominated with 18 disposals, including six centre clearances.

Key figures in Claremont’s outstanding first quarter were Spyvee, defenders Anthony Davis, Tom Ledger and Marc Boyazis, ruckman Jeremy Goddard, midfielders Tom Curren and Jye Clark, wingman Bailey Bennett and forward Alex Manuel.

Clark won the first two centre clearances and it took East Fremantle 12 minutes to post the opening score, a goal from the right pocket to East Fremantle’s big forward Nick Bonomelli. Three minutes later the Tigers replied with a goal to winger Corey Hitchcock, following his lively dash down the left flank.

The Tigers took charge with the wind in the second quarter, but they didn’t get full reward for their dominance, adding 3.6 after penetrating their forward 50m zone 16 times to East Fremantle’s four. Claremont’s goals came from snap from Clark, a set shot from Smallwood after receiving a free-kick for a high tackle, and a major seconds before the half-time siren after lively winger Cam Anderson took a low, diving mark.

East Fremantle began the second half with a flourish with Bonomelli taking two marks and kicking two goals in the opening two minutes. A long shot from Reuben McGuire from almost 70 metres out bounced through for another goal to the home side.

A short pass from Bonomelli enabled Michael Wright to add another goal for the Sharks, who took a 12-point lead into the three-quarter-time break following a late major from Jakob Ah Chee.

Three minutes into the final term an inspirational high-flying mark to tough defender Isaac Wallace lifted the Tigers. He soared from behind to take the mark from an East Fremantle clearing kick and booted the ball forward where Ben Elliott snapped truly.

Five minutes later a chain of handpasses from Manuel, Smallwood and Cam Anderson finished with Spyvee, who kicked a goal from, close range to give the Tigers a three-point advantage.

Elliott was on fire and he marked a rushed East Fremantle kick before booting his second major. The Tigers were in full command and Clark won the ensuing centre clearance with a handpass to Curren, who booted the ball forward where Matt Spoors held a superb, contested mark. He received a bloodied nose and was forced to leave the field, with Hitchcock taking the kick and scoring a behind from 55m out.

Late goals to Curren, Ben Rushforth and Ledger increased Claremont’s margin and boosted the side’s confidence for next Saturday’s clash against West Perth.

Details:

Claremont 10.16 (76) beat East Fremantle 8.2 (50).

Scorers --- CLAREMONT: B. Elliott 2.2; C. Anderson 1.3;C. Hitchcock, B. Rushforth 1.2; T. Smallwood 1.1; J. Clark, T. Curren, T. Ledger, M. Spyvee 1.0; K. Lines, M. Minear 0.2; A. Manuel 0.1; 1pt forced. EAST FREMANTLE: N. Bonomelli 5.0; J. Ah Chee, R. McGuire, M. Wright 1.0; M. Burton, C. Wrigley 0.1.

Best --- CLAREMONT: M. Spyvee, T. Ledger, B. Elliott, C. Anderson, B. Rushforth, T. Smallwood, T. Curren, J. Goddard. EAST FREMANTLE: N. Bonomelli, M. Burton, J. Meade, T. Marshall, T. Wallis, Z. Jackson, J. Ritchie, R. McGuire.