Tigers Trio Star for WA

by Dan Scamozzi

Claremont’s Jye Bolton, Ryan Neates and Darcy Cameron all played significant roles in Western Australia’s 134-point demolition of a woeful Tasmania at Steel Blue Oval last Saturday.

Bolton continued his outstanding form by winning the Simpson Medal after his 46 possessions, 12 marks, seven clearances and two goals saw him named WA’s best player, while Neates finished with 25 possessions, seven marks, five tackles and one goal and Cameron provided a focal point at full-forward to finish with eight marks and three majors.

Bolton and Cameron’s efforts were even more impressive considering they were on State debut, while Neates relished his chance to represent WA for a third time.

WA’s 25.14 (164) to 4.6 (30) win was built on the back of 10 consecutive goals in the first half and the final 13 for the game, with the Black Swans running riot in the first meeting between the states since 1999 and holding the visitors goalless in the second and final terms.

The win was also WA’s biggest against Tasmania and eclipsed the 122-point hiding they gave the Apple Islanders in 1964, while the visitors recorded their lowest score against the Black Swans in the process.

The victory further highlighted WA’s dominance in recent years, and added to wins over the VFL, NEAFL and SANFL.

Others to impress for WA were Brett Peake - who kicked seven goals as the oldest debutant in WA State history – and Ben Saunders who kicked six.

Captain and ruckman Paul Johnson starred with 17 disposals, 29 hit outs and two goals, and gave his midfielders first use with Shane Nelson (32 disposals), Ashton Hams, (29, one goal), Leigh Kitchin (26) and Jay van Berlo (23, six tackles) all making the most of their opportunities.

Defenders Luke Meadows, Josh Bootsma and Marlion Pickett were outstanding with their efforts and rebound from the backline, while Nick Rodda ensured that Mitch Thorp – who leads the goal kicking in the TSL this season – had no impact on the game after keeping the spearhead scoreless and to just seven possessions.

WA recorded 119 more disposals, 31 more inside 50s and 29 more scoring shots, with Tasmania unable to offer any resistance against their dominant opponents.

Jake Cox took home the Lefroy Medal as Tasmania’s best player after his 33-possession effort, while Jobi Harper (34 disposals, 13 marks, six tackles) and Ian Callinan (29 disposals, two goals) battled manfully.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 4.3 10.10 17.11 25.14 (164)

TASMANIA 1.1 1.4 4.4 4.6 (30)

GOALS

WA: 7 B. PEAKE, 6 B. SAUNDERS, 3 D. CAMERON, 2 P. JOHNSON, J. BOLTON, 1 T. NOTTE, A. HAMS, R. COOK, R. NEATES, T. KELLY.

TAS: 2 I. CALLINAN, T. WHITFORD, T. STANDEN.

BEST

WA: J. BOLTON, P. JOHNSON, B. PEAKE, S. NELSON, D. CAMERON, L. MEADOWS, A. HAMS.

TAS: J. COX, J. HARPER, I. CALLINAN, H. WALTERS.

SIMPSON MEDAL: J. BOLTON.

LEFROY MEDAL: J. COX.

CROWD: 2575.