Claremont young gun shines in first game

Emerging Great Southern defender Dylan Smallwood has starred in his league debut for Claremont on Saturday, helping his side to a memorable 20-point win over Swan Districts in a farewell match for fellow Great Southern product Beau Maister.

Maister announced his retirement during the week after a superb AFL and WAFL career that has spanned more than 15 years and Claremont rallied in the final term, kicking four goals to nil as they sent their champion forward off in style. He booted a major in the all-important last quarter to go with 12 possessions and four marks.

After impressing at reserves level in recent weeks Smallwood, who played for Albany, was rewarded with a league call-up. Smallwood finished with 23 disposals and 11 marks, and laid three tackles to be among Claremont’s best players.

It has been a rollercoaster few weeks for the Smallwood family after draft prospect Tyron Smallwood was sidelined from the start of the NAB AFL Under-18s Championships with a broken jaw.

Former Albany forward Michael Bennell played a hand in Perth upsetting South Fremantle by six points in their league clash at Lathlain Park.

Bennell backed up last week’s debut produced a brilliant league debut last week and backed that up with 14 touches, five tackles and a goal in their win on Saturday.

Former Royals midfielder Steven Edwards had 19 disposals in his return to South Fremantle’s league side.

Ex-Mt Barker junior Russell Wynne played his best game at league level for East Fremantle on Saturday as his side suffered a heavy 103-point loss to Subiaco.

Wynne collected 19 possessions, six marks and two inside 50s in his fourth league game for the club.

On Sunday at Optus Stadium, former Railways colt Jordan Clark was the only Great Southern player in the WA State 18s side for their second game, losing to Vic Metro by 18 points.