Brilliant opening half sets up Claremont’s massive colts win in Albany over Subiaco as draft fancies stand out

A red-hot first half from Claremont helped secure a dominant WAFL colts victory over Subiaco as draft fancies Cody Curtin and Charlie Banfield put on a show at Albany’s Retravision Stadium on Saturday night. The Great Southern talent show rolled into Albany wearing the blue of Claremont, in round 15 of the WAFL competition. Six products of the region, five of whom came through the Great Southern Storm’s elite pathway, played their part in front of hundreds of supporters as the Tigers ripped the Lions to shreds. Charlie Banfield was electric in the middle. He won a stack of clearances from his 20 disposals and pushed forward to kick three majors. Younger brother Harper Banfield was just as damaging for the Tigers in the midfield, racking up 23 touches, five marks and eight inside-50s. The Tigers midfield dominance helped them race clear with five goals to one in the first term and the Lions were left stunned. The Tigers won 17.8 (110) to 5.8 (38) with Albany’s Kaleb Germain, Railways’ Robbie Farmer and Lake King’s Joshua Grahame all getting in on the action in front of goal. Royals trio Blake Panizza, Mitch Paine and Elijah Williams also made meaningful contributions to a winning team with family and friends supporting in the stands. The win kept the Tigers fifth on the ladder with another key contest to come, against league leaders East Fremantle on July 26. Lachy Davis, the Claremont talent manager, was delighted with the victory, which was revenge for a round eight loss to Subiaco in May. He was also purring at the contributions made by the teenagers from Claremont’s southern country zone. “I was really pleased with them,” he said. “I asked all the players to go out there and make a statement and they did.” Star of the show, however, was Curtin, all blond hair and orange boots, who whacked home six majors. He was unstoppable and although the Lions scored first, with a behind after 40 seconds, the Tigers roared back with a three-goal salvo – including one from Germain – which put them well in front with only seven minutes gone. The quarter ended with the Tigers 24 points ahead and they were 34 in front by half-time, which included Farmer’s delightful strike. Grahame’s major came in the third quarter after a run, wheel and shot as the Tigers pressed home their advantage to lead by 54 at the last break. A rip-roaring final quarter added five more goals as the Tigers ran rampant, leaving the Lions to lick their wounds on their long journey home. Curtin did his draft chances no harm with a scintillating performance, kicking 6.3 form 16 possessions and eight marks. Grahame was the pick of the Great Southern contingent with 19 disposals, nine tackles and eight inside 50s while half-back George Cale provided wonderful rebound and finished with a game-high 25 touches. Samson Jennings-Hopkins and Brady Foster were also strong contributors for the Tigers. The Tigers were not unscathed, and their walking wounded included Grahame, who tweaked a hamstring, and Elijah Dennis who went to Albany Health Campus for a check-up following an accidental clash of heads early in the first quarter. Dennis played no further part in the game and as his mother said, it was a long way to come for four minutes. Wesley Walley was instrumental for the Lions, providing strong link-up play in his 19 disposals and six inside-50s. Dwayne Ryder (two goals) and Hudson Walker (23 possessions and six tackles) were also busy, ruck pair Max McCullough and Jamie Woodward worked hard and Corbin Boylson had some classy moments for the Lions.