BY KEN CASELLAS

Dynamic midfielder Max Spyvee gave convincing proof that he has recovered from a shoulder injury which has hindered his pre-season training with a sparkling performance for Claremont in the scratch match against South Fremantle at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.

The 20-year-old Spyvee hit a purple patch in the second quarter during which he had six kicks, including a goal, and fired out two effective handpasses.

Bailey Rogers, Bailey Bennett and Callan England also shone in the midfield, and so, too, did Ben Elliott, particularly in the second half.

The Tigers went into the practice match without several leading players, and it was mainly due to the sterling efforts of Spyvee, Rogers, Bennett and England that the side sprung into life in the second term after managing only one goal (from Bennett) in the opening quarter.

Jack Lewsey and Lachie Martinis stood out in defence, and it was heartening to see Jack Beeck take part in consecutive scratch matches after serious damage to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee forced him to miss the entire 2020 season before returning to action mid-way through last year when he appeared in the reserves side. 

He also was unable to play a match in 2017 as he recovered from a right knee reconstruction. The strongly-built left-footer has delighted Claremont fans with his typically robust efforts in the practice matches against Subiaco and South Fremantle.

Club supporters also enthusiastically greeted the appearance of powerful key forward Timm House, who booted two second-half goals, the second of which was a tremendous bomb from 55 metres out. The major was set up by an Elliott handpass to Bennett, whose pass was marked by House.

Also, it was great to see the speedy Lawrence Evans back in a Tigers jumper. He marked a pass from Bennett before scoring Claremont’s fourth goal late in the second quarter.

House’s goal was Claremont’s only major score in the final quarter during which the Bulldogs overpowered the Tigers and added four goals to win a spirited contest by 23 points.

Details:

South Fremantle 13.7 (85) beat Claremont 9.8 (62).     

Scorers---SOUTH FREMANTLE: J. Salmeri 2.1; B. Donaldson, Z. Strom 2.0; T. Blechynden, C. Datson 1.2; T. Abbott, G. Byron, J. Florenca, S. Green, J. Miller 1.0; H. Free 0.1; 1pt forced. CLAREMONT: T. House 2.1; M. Spyvee 2.0; L. Guelfi 1.2; B. Bennett, S. Miller 1.1; I. Barton, L. Evans 1.0; B. Rogers 0.1; 1pt forced.

Best---SOUTH FREMANTLE: J. Florenca, C. Pearson, Z. Strom, T. Abbott, C. Datson, B. Donaldson, J. Salmeri, S. Green. CLAREMONT: M. Spyvee, B. Rogers, B. Bennett, C. England, J. Lewsey, L. Martinis.