Claremont coach Ashley Prescott is excited about the “steady stream” of youth coming through at the club after a couple of impressive league debutants in the season-opening victory over West Perth at Joondalup.

Prescott singled out 21-year-old defender Louis Passera after his job well done against dangerous small forward Keegan Knott, keeping him to one goal while adding one of his own.

New leadership group member Ronin O’Connor, 21, a colts premiership skipper from 2019 who returned after two years on Adelaide’s AFL list, was another important first-game contributor with 27 possessions, five marks and four inside-50s.

“There’s a steady stream of younger players that have come through the system at Claremont,” Prescott said.

“We try to get them to be in a position where they can come in and play a role for the team.

“I thought Louis Passera did a fantastic job in his first game because we’ve got some players in the twos that have come off COVID and injury and things like that across the board.

“He’s earned his position and he plays exactly the style of football that we want and he’s got humility, so he’ll continue to improve.

“Hopefully we can continue to build that depth which will be really important.”

Prescott was pleased come to away with the four points to start what he described as a “really tough” three-game block which includes reigning premiers Subiaco at Revo Fitness Stadium next Saturday followed by last season’s grand finalists South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval the following round.

“We’ve got a really tough three games to start the season, playing three fantastic footy clubs,” Prescott said.

“To come up here, it’s a challenging environment against a really good team, and come away with the win is obviously really pleasing.

“I felt today at times our execution centre of forward was really average and that allowed West Perth to rebound.

“We’ve got a hell of a lot to improve on but we know where we’re at.”

Prescott also spoke about the midfield battle, conceding his team was “outhunted” early before kicking into gear after quarter-time to prevail by four points - 9.11 (65) to 8.13 (61).

Dual Sandover medallist Jye Bolton was best-afield with a whopping 38 disposals, with running machine Ryan Lim (27 disposals and seven inside 50s) and youngster Samuel Alvarez (29 and five inside 50s) also prominent in his fourth league appearance.

“I thought they outhunted as a little bit early in the game, I felt our mids probably didn’t tackle as hard as what we’d expect from them,” he said.

“I think the boys adjusted after quarter-time and we started winning a little bit more clearances and contested footy and get some good ground position which was pleasing.”

The Tigers should get back midfield bull Jared Hardisty and rebounding defender Jason Carter, who both played in the reserves after interrupted pre-seasons, as well as key forward Jack Buller and Thomas Baldwin from suspension.

Former Fremantle rookie Leno Thomas returned to the club where his footy career took off last week but is a while away from featuring.

Despite the loss, West Perth look a force to be reckoned with once again this season with their midfield brigade of co-captain Aaron Black, the returning Luke Meadows, Shane Nelson, Mitchell Peirce and Tristan Hobley all doing their bit.

Dual Bernie Naylor medallist Tyler Keitel and recruit Anton Hamp will cause plenty of headaches for opposition tall defenders like they did early against the Tigers, while at the other end Mark Hamilton was outstanding.