Strong West Perth colts side excited by challenge of an improving Claremont in WAFL colts match in Albany

Ladder leaders West Perth are wary of an improving Claremont side who they will face in their regional WAFL colts fixture on Saturday night in Albany. The Falcons are enjoying a terrific season at colts level and hold top spot with a 7-3 win-loss record, while the Tigers languish in seventh place ahead of the round 13 clash at Retravision Stadium. Captain Kane Bevan is among five players the Falcons will be without due to State commitments and they will tackle a Tigers side that is set to contain nine Great Southern players. Falcons colts coach Ryan Lasscock is expecting to face a strong Tigers outfit in their bid to remain a game clear on top of the ladder. “We have five in the State program that won’t play,” Lasscock said. “We had a really good start to the year and have been a bit up and down over the last couple of weeks. “But we still back ourselves in and I think we’ve got a pretty good side and we’ve had other players stand up in their absence. “We played Claremont in round one and it was only eight points. “We expect to get a Claremont side at their best and when they are at their best, they are one of the best in the competition.” Luke Michael, Griffith Julian, Daniel Gathercole and Jasper Scaife are the other State players that will miss the Albany venture but Lasscock said his side had some exciting young talent making the trip. “Our ruckman has been really good for us,” he said. “Riley Sprigg ... a country boy from Mukinbudin in our country zone. “Byron Sherwood has stood up in the midfield this year and Blake Garraway has played some good footy on a wing and in the midfield, so they are a couple to watch.” Lasscock said they would embrace the opportunity to travel regionally as a colts group. “It’s exciting for the boys, we don’t often get to do a trip like this,” he said. “We have played over 40 players in our group this season and it’s great exposing different people to colts footy. “We are hoping for a big crowd, hopefully we can put on a good display and we’ll be going down to try and get a win.” Bouncedown for the WAFL colts fixture is 5pm.