Bennell in impressive WAFL debut

Former Albany livewire Michael Bennell starred in his WAFL league debut, booting three goals for Perth at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Bennell, who was part of Albany’s first win back in 2015, has been in dominant form at reserves level for the Demons this season.

In his league debut against Swan Districts, the 24-year-old shone with 3.1 up forward to be among the Demons’ best players in a 30-point loss. Bennell collected 14 disposals and five marks and laid four tackles. Great Southern pair Matt Palfrey (Railways) and Declan McNamara (Royals) were both quiet with five and three possessions respectively for Claremont’s league team as they lost by 11 points to Peel Thunder.

In the WAFL reserves, ex-Royals midfielder Morgan Davies and former Albany junior Dylan Smallwood were among the best players for Claremont as they downed Peel by 73 points.

Davies finished with 22 possessions, four inside 50s and a goal, while Smallwood had a game-high 13 marks to go with 23 disposals.

Meanwhile in WA’s opening game of the 2018 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, former Railways colt Jordan Clark kicked a goal in his side’s heavy defeat on Sunday.

WA were outclassed by South Australia at Alberton Oval, going down by 89 points.

Clark kicked one of WA’s five goals while ex-Royals forward and Jerramungup product Tom Baldwin also played in the campaign-opener.

On Friday night, Railways midfielder Zane Marwick was named best afield for the WA State Country side as they won a trial match against the WA Amateur under- 23s. He played across half back and had a telling influence as his team won by 34 points.