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Manuel excels in attack

Monday, February 29, 2016 - 11:10 AM by Ken Casellas
Cool, composed, crafty, clever and creative, Alex Manuel was a shining light when Claremont clashed with the West Australian country side in a pre-season scratch match at McGillivray Oval in scorching heat on Saturday morning. 
 
 
The 20-year-old Manuel excelled on a half-forward flank and booted three goals. A no-nonsense and highly effective performer, he was a constant contributor for four quarters and played a significant role in Claremont’s easy victory, 15.11 to 7.6, after an even first half. 
 
The Claremont attacking division functioned smoothly, with lively flanker Jack Richardson scoring three goals, left-footer Matt Palfrey brilliant in a pocket and the towering Ed Simpson providing a strong target at full-forward. 
 
However, it was teenager wingman Morgan Davies who provided the most excitement. The slender left-footer, conspicuous with his blond hair and flashy light green boots, played with considerable flair and gave every indication that he will develop into a skilful league footballer. 
 
Davies, along with half-back flankers Harry Sinclair and Cam Palmer, were outstanding in the first quarter during which the Tigers started nervously and the country side, which included Brendon Jones and Paul Mugambwa as well as 2014 Claremont reserves ruckman Jayden Brooks, booted the first three goals. 
 
It was in the third term when Davies provided one of the highlights of the match when he marked a pass from midfielder Zac Langdon, played on and cleverly sidestepped an opponent before kicking a goal. 
 
Langdon, a recruit from Dampier, was a livewire performer who impressed with his vigour, strong attack on the ball and his determined second efforts. 
 
Much interest centred on giant American basketballer Matt Sellers, who gained the knock at the opening bounce in his very first game of Australian football. He worked hard, contested strongly and impressed in his willingness to tackle hard and often. 
 
It was also wonderful to see Ian Rowe back in a Claremont jumper and he showed that a few years working in London had not dulled his enthusiasm nor his skill as he played effectively on a wing. His previous appearance for the Tigers was as a member of the club’s 2011 reserves premiership side. He chalked up 75 league matches before venturing to the northern hemisphere. 
 
It was Palfrey who helped to spark the Tigers into action after a slow start. He cleverly intercepted a point kick-in and quickly got the ball on to Manuel, who snapped truly with his non-preferred left foot. A Richardson major late in the term enabled Claremont to get within two goals of the country side at quarter-time. 
 
The Tigers took the lead after early second-quarter goals to Langdon and centre-half-forward Adam Speed (who also performed strongly in the ruck). A left-foot snap gave Manuel his second goal and soon afterwards Manuel booted the ball high to the goalsquare where Simpson held a strong chest mark and kicked a goal after the half-time siren.  
 
Early in the third term it was the mercurial Palfrey who delighted the fans with a spectacular high-flying mark. He played on and his kick forward was gathered by Manuel, who used his right boot to score his third goal. 
 
Langdon continued to be a driving force and his long kick was marked by Richardson for another major. Simpson then came under notice with a strong defensive mark and he drove the ball forward where Palfrey gained possession and booted a goal from long range. 
 
Midfielder Justin Speed added his name to Claremont’s goalkickers late in the third quarter and last-quarter goals came from Richardson, Matt Taylor, Toby Plant and Adam Corunna. 
 
The pacy Harry McCracken showed excellent early-season form on a wing and on a half-back flank and Werribee recruit Luke Maddock gave a sample of his class with a solid display at centre-half-back. 
 
Claremont did not use any regular first-choice league players in the match against the country side, but these players will be in action in the main scratch match against East Fremantle at East Fremantle Oval next Saturday and in the final pre-season fixture against Peel Thunder at Rushton Park the following Saturday.

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Saturday, 25 May
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11:10 AM at Mineral Resources Park
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Round 12
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