Local boys dig deep in WAFL finals

The 2016 WAFL grand final will go down as one of the most successful ever for the Great Southern region, after six local products finished with premiership medallions around their necks following the three deciders at Domain Stadium on Sunday.

North Albany junior and ex-Carlton defender Josh Bootsma was a part of Peel Thunder’s historic first league premiership after they downed Subiaco by 23 points in the grand final, ending a 20-year drought for the club.

Bootsma, who has been a regular for Peel in the past two seasons, played deep in defence on Sunday and was able to contribute well despite having only nine disposals, one mark and two tackles.

He spoiled well and applied terrific pressure as the Peel defence strangled the usually dangerous Subiaco forward line on their way to a 11.13 (79) to 8.8 (56) victory.

The 23-year-old had his parents, Brad and Mandy, watching on from the stands.

Earlier in the day, promising Great Southern duo Bailey Bennett and Dylan Smallwood were part of Claremont’s colts premiership, as they held off a determined East Perth by 18 points.

Claremont trailed in the early stages and were two goals down at half-time before producing a terrific second half on their way to back-to-back premierships, 11.13 (79) to 9.7 (61).

Albany product Smallwood starred in defence and was named Claremont’s third best player in the triumph for his tremendous role in the backline.

The 18-year-old collected 10 possessions, took four strong marks and laid one tackle as he shut his opponent out of the game.

Railways product Bennett was also a solid contributor, with 12 touches, two marks, three tackles, three inside-50s and a crucial third quarter goal playing off a wing.

Claremont talent development manager Warren Parker praised the pair for their contribution in the grand final success.

“Dylan played his best game for the year,” Parker said.

“He took a few good contested marks and crashed packs and his run and use off half-back set us up a number of times — very pleased with the way he attacked the game.

“Bailey was very good for us, played on a wing where he kicked an important goal and worked hard all day long.”

To cap off a remarkable day, Claremont also won the reserves premiership when they upset East Perth by 18 points with Great Southern footballers Ben Higgs, Isaac Devitt-Boyd and Matt Palfrey all part of the winning side.

East Perth led by two points at three-quarter time but Claremont booted five goals in the final term to pinch a memorable win, 14.14 (98) to 12.8 (80).

Higgs, who hails from Railways, was lively at half-forward with eight possessions, three marks and one major early in the third term while Palfrey, another Railways product, also kicked a vital goal in the second quarter to go with seven touches.

Denmark-Walpole junior Devitt-Boyd was also solid in defence with five disposals.