Colts-aged pair shine for Claremont reserves

Great Southern draft prospects Jordan Clark and Tyron Smallwood have taken further steps forward in their hopes of being selected in the national draft later this year after both starred at WAFL reserves level on Saturday.

Still colts-age players, Clark and Smallwood were playing their second reserves games this season and were among Claremont’s best as they defeated Subiaco by four points.

Continuing his brilliant recent form, former Railways colts player Clark was in dominant touch across half-back to finish with 22 disposals and four marks.

Having played locally for Royals and Albany, Smallwood booted three goals to go with 16 possessions and six marks to back up his three-goal debut in the reserves last week.

It capped a big couple of days for Clark and Smallwood after the pair were among the 80 players around Australia to receive an invitation to the AFL draft combine from October 2-5 in Melbourne, where they will be tested and interviewed by interested clubs.

A third Great Southern player, Railways’ Bailey Bennett was also named in the Tigers’ best players in the reserves after his 16 touches, eight tackles, five inside 50s and one goal.

Former Mt Barker wingman Russell Wynne shone for East Fremantle’s reserves on Saturday as they beat Swan Districts by 44 points.

Wynne gathered 22 disposals, laid five tackles, had five inside 50s and kicked a goal to be instrumental in the win.

Ongerup-raised and former Hawthorn defender Angus Litherland was impressive for Subiaco, kicking a vital goal and collecting 16 disposals as his side downed the Tigers in a thrilling league fixture.

Railways product Matt Palfrey kicked a goal for the Tigers, while former Albany defender Dylan Smallwood was again terrific in the back half helping blanket the Lions key targets.

Meanwhile, in the AFL, Lake Grace-Pingrup’s Liam Baker finished with 12 possessions in a lively debut for Richmond against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday.

Played in front of almost 90,000 people the Tigers were too strong for Collingwood with Baker spending his time as a small forward, kicking two behinds.