Manuel will be missed

By Ken Casellas

Kicking goals is generally regarded as the main objective of a forward. But for the past decade Alex Manuel has not only been a consistent goalscorer, but he has shone as a wonderful selfless team player in the Claremont league side’s attack.

In the past four years, in particular, he has excelled with his determination and unselfish team play, being the side’s leading tackler inside the forward 50m zone and winning the most contested balls in that area. He was also the side’s leading mark-taker in the forward region.

He booted 31 goals this season to head Claremont’s goalkicking list for the third time, following his standing on top of the list in 2021 and 2022.

The 29-year-old Manuel has decided to retire after a splendid career of 121 league appearances and 183 goals --- and he will be sorely missed for his stewardship and organising skills.

He has lined up at full-forward, in a pocket, at centre-half-forward and on a half-forward flank after an apprenticeship as a forward with the colts (15 matches) and reserves (51 matches) when his fast leading and strong marking made life tough for opposing defenders.

Not only was he an accurate shooter from set shots, but he also had an uncanny ability to snap goals from difficult angles as well as scoring many goals from left-foot kicks.

“The skill in Australian Rules football is the ability to win the ball and execute well by hitting your teammate by hand or foot, or kick goals, and Alex had that ability,” said coach Ash Prescott. “I admired watching him work on his game. When a lot of players finished training on a Wednesday Alex would always be down at the southern end of the ground diligently working on his set shots, his snaps and his marking.”

Also missing from the league side in 2025 will be defenders Marty Frederick and Jack Maubaum and midfielder Ollie Sheldrick. 

Frederick has decided to return to Adelaide, Maubaum has opted to quit senior football and remain in Perth and enjoy playing at an amateur level. Sheldrick plans to travel but could return to WA before the 2025 season is over.

On the credit side, tall key forward Jaiden Hunter (22) has been recruited by the Tigers. He was chosen by Essendon in the 2023 mid-season AFL rookie draft after playing three league matches for Perth in rounds five, six and seven, scoring four goals against West Coast Eagles, two against West Perth and five against South Fremantle.

Hunter played two VFL matches for the Bombers before a stress fracture in his back ended his 2023 season, and a ruptured ACL (damaged at training in January) wrecked his 2024 season.

Tall forward Max Minear (23), who played 26 league matches for Claremont in 2021, 2022 and 2023, is keen to resume his career with the Tigers after missing the 2024 season --- when he went travelling and returned home to play amateur football for Collegians and winning the club’s fairest-and-best award.

Dashing defender Jack Lewsey is back in Perth after a year studying in Melbourne, and club supporters will be looking forward eagerly to his return to action.