Bennett rewarded with league debut

Railways teenager Bailey Bennett made his league debut for Claremont on Saturday after a string of solid performances at WAFL reserves level this season, but his side went down by eight points to Perth at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Bennett was a stand-out at colts level in 2016 and has played seven reserves matches this season, averaging almost 20 disposals and more than four tackles per game.

The 19-year-old was rewarded with his league debut against the Demons and finished with nine possessions, two marks, two tackles and one inside 50.

He joined former West Coast and St Kilda player Beau Maister, who also hails from Railways, in the side but the key forward was limited to six touches and two behinds.

Former Denmark-Walpole junior and Port Adelaide rookie Jesse Laurie gathered 10 disposals in the loss.

Mt Barker forward Ben Saunders booted four goals from his 10 disposals for South Fremantle at Leederville Oval but his side suffered a 39-point loss to Subiaco.

Ongerup-bred defender and former Hawthorn-listed player Angus Litherland had his day ended prematurely for the Lions with a shoulder injury.

Railways junior Ben Higgs again pressed his claims for a league recall, finishing with 27 possessions and seven marks in a dominant display at half-back to be named Claremont’s best player in their reserves win over Perth. Borden’s Lewis Davis, Railways’ Beau Ewen and Royals’ Declan McNamara were all named in Claremont colts best players, as they thrashed Perth by 65 points.