Standout performances from full-forward Matt Palfrey and midfielder Sam Humphry in Claremont’s final scratch match against Swan Districts at Bassendean Oval on Saturday morning had ardent supporters rubbing their hands in gleeful anticipation of a successful season.

Swans fielded an outstanding side which defeated the Tigers by 41 points. However, there were many highly pleasing aspects from a Claremont viewpoint.

Palfrey, the star of the Great Southern League league grand final in Albany last September when his bag of seven goals was the main reason for the 22-point win by Railways over North Albany, was a shining light deep in attack where he kicked six of his side’s 13 goals.

The 18-year-old 182cm left-footer excelled in the air and on the ground and he seems assured of a bright future.

Skill errors and a series of turnovers proved costly in the first half and the Tigers went into the half-time break trailing by four goals, with Palfrey booting four of Claremont’s six first-half majors. The best of these came late in the second quarter when Humphry gained the centre clearance and Palfrey flew to bring down a wonderful contested mark in the midst of a milling pack.

Palfrey’s final goal came 30 seconds before three-quarter time when he produced a splendid snap from left half-forward.

Humphrey (18) started on the interchange bench in the first three quarters and he was a dominant midfielder, gaining ten clearances from stoppages to consistently send his side into attack. He finished with 17 kicks and three effective handpasses.

Sixteen-year-old Bailey Rogers also excelled at the stoppages, gaining seven clearances. He and Humphrey were part of a powerful midfield brigade which included strong contributors Jared Hardisty and Ryan Lim.

Talented forward flanker Isaac Baum again revealed his class, while Nick Reid struck a purple patch with two excellent long goals in the space of a couple of minutes in the middle of the third quarter. Splitting those goals was one to Lim, who capitalised on a splendid passage of play which started with Francis Watson’s spectacular high mark at right half-back.

Claremont’s defence was under constant stress and Swans finished with 20 goals. Watson did well in a pocket and at centre-half-back, while Greg Colbung worked hard and showed good promise on a flank.

Details:

Swan Districts 20.6 (126) beat Claremont 13.7 (85).

Scorers---SWAN DISTRICTS: A. Dean 4.0; C. Daniels, R. Morstert 3.0; N. Ansey, J. Daniels 2.0; D. Smith 1.1; L. Murray, D. Nelson, J. Shand, W. Wilson, T. Yarran 1.0; L. Ridley 0.2; C. Cranenburg, C. Firns, B. Whitsed 0.1. CLAREMONT: M. Palfrey 6.0; I. Baum 2.1; N. Reid 2.0; R. Lim, W. McSweeney, S. Trickey 1.0; J. Crockett 0.2; J. Hardisty, B. Rogers 0.1; 2pts forced.

Best---SWAN DISTRICTS: J. Coniglio, A. Dean, J. Daniels, C. Firns, D. Nelson, C. Daniels. CLAREMONT: S. Humphry, M. Palfrey, B. Rogers, J. Hardisty, I. Baum, H. Wilkinson, G. Colbung, F. Watson, R. Lim.

by Ken Casellas