West Perth coach Ryan Lasscock has praised his midfield for their stellar display, helping maintain top spot on the WAFL colts ladder following an impressive 35-point win in Albany.

The Falcons engine room of Jack Demarte, Nate Dimanlig and Byron Sherwood along with ruckman Riley Sprigg wore down their Claremont rivals in the regional fixture on Saturday night.

Four majors from captain Aiden Nelson and three from debutant Eli Alexander guided the Falcons to a comfortable 11.7 (73) to 5.8 (38) win.

“The game looked how we wanted it to look,” Lasscock said.

“The last couple of weeks just haven’t found enough of the footy.

“We controlled the footy, I think we had 45 marks for the half which is our best since round four or five, pressure on the ball and keep it in our front half which is how we want to play so I thought we did a lot right in the first half.

“To kick the last two goals, it was pleasing for the boys they’ve worked hard on that (last quarters).

“Our midfield responded really well after some poor quarters of footy over the last three or four weeks.

“Sherwood, Dimanlig and Demarte played really well and Riley Sprigg was good in the ruck as well.”

For the third time in four years Albany’s Retravision Stadium played host to a WAFL colts game but it was the Falcons who stole the show.

Two goals from 17-year-old Alexander helped the Falcons take a nine-point lead into quarter-time and the margin grew in the second term.

The Falcons’ midfield stamped their authority on the game as Demarte, Dimanlig and Sherwood were outstanding at the stoppages in the second, resulting in three unanswered goals that pushed the deficit to 30 points.

The Tigers were held goalless in the second and had just 1.5 on the board at the main break before Louis Tangney gave them a much-needed major early in the third but again the Falcons had the answers.

The hard-running Demarte slotted a goal which was answered immediately by Great Southern product Cooper Childs.

Noah Farrow added his second and when Alexander jailed a third the Falcons had opened up a game-high 38-point lead.

The Tigers’ hopes of a comeback were buoyed by two early final term goals, one from Jezreel Daisybell and then Childs, but the Falcons regained control and went on to record an eighth win of the season.

Nelson starred in the front with four goals from 14 disposals and four marks while Alexander was eye-catching on debut with three goals and a couple of strong contested marks.

The Falcons’ midfield was busy throughout the night with Demarte leading the way with 27 touches and a goal.

Dimanlig racked up 25 possessions and six marks to drive his side forward plenty of times and Sherwood had 21 disposals, seven marks and four inside 50s in a telling performance.

Lasscock said the regional trip was a great experience, helping their group bond as they prepare for a finals campaign.

“Getting on bus at Claremont Oval at 8am rolling into Albany at 2.30pm was different,” he said.

“I think it’s what we needed, to get away as a group and spend some time with each other.

“With the COVID stuff we haven’t done any camps or anything like that for two years and I think the boys really enjoyed.”

Nine Great Southern players took to the field for Claremont and inside midfielder Rhori Williams-Jolley was a shining light in the defeat.

Williams-Jolley was the Tigers’ leading disposal winner with 23 to go with four marks and two inside 50s as he worked tirelessly to try to get his side back into the game.

Tangney was effective with 14 touches and a goal while defender Xavier Graham was a strong interceptor and held firm in the Tigers’ back half.

Fletcher Netherway (18 disposals) and Max Wilson (15 possessions and six inside 50s) were also strong contributors for the Tigers who were outclassed around the ball.

Childs finished as their only multiple goal kicker with two and he also hit the post in the opening term.

Claremont coach Ash Clancy said the loss dented their finals hopes.

“It was definitely disappointing,” Clancy said.

“I thought our effort and intent was a lot better in the second half than it was in the first half but we just didn’t reward ourselves with clean possession and we just sort of handed it back to West Perth and they were able to capitalise.

“Were just trying to make sure we set the kids up because the program is about the development of players, so when they reach league footy they don’t just get spat out of the system.

“We’re aware of where we are, we don’t want to write off the season because we’re still really keen to get something out of it because we have a great bunch of kids.”

Clancy highlighted the efforts of Lucas Ravenhill and Ballard.

“We thought Lucas played well and he provided a good target down forward and young Seb Ballard was terrific all night, he didn’t get beat one on one much all night, he played hard and put his head over the footy and cracked in,” he said.

The match was played in front of more than 500 spectators.