Prescott Puts Faith in Local Talent to Win Premiership Monday, March 28, 2022 - 2:36 PM - by Mark Readings

Claremont coach Ashley Prescott has revealed the club’s strategy to winning its first Premiership in a decade. 

The Tigers are putting their faith in local talent to claim their first flag since 2012.  

“Really pleasingly, there’s a group of about 15 graduating colts who’ve come through the system, and a strong group of development reserves players, so I think it just adds depth to the footy club. 

We don’t need to go and seek players from interstate clubs when we’ve got such a good young group of players coming through. 

I do like the Claremont Football Club’s philosophy of looking whenever we can to use our local players and we’re very fortunate to have a good zone and draw on areas like the Great Southern and the Kimberley,” Prescott said. 

With dual Premiership hero Kane Mitchell announcing his retirement at the end of last season, more responsibility will fall on the shoulders of fellow Sandover Medallist Jye Bolton. 

” He’ll hate me saying this, but he’s just turned 30 and getting a bit long in the tooth. 

But seriously, he’s stripped down a fair bit. 

He’s punished himself over the pre-season because he’s such a fierce competitor and sets really high standards for himself.” 

With Covid uncertainty continuing, Prescott is keen to promote his players who could land an opportunity on an AFL list. 

“If they get a small window to get a taste of AFL or even train with a club, I think that’s fantastic. 

I firmly believe that we need to see ourselves as a development competition. 

We compete really hard, don’t get me wrong, and we exist to win Premierships, but we still have to give these young guys who’ve got dreams a chance to play in the AFL, and however it’s done I’m all for it,” Prescott said. 

Claremont opens its season against West Perth at Provident Financial Oval on Good Friday. 

” We played them in a final last year, and it was a super game. 

They’re probably on the flip side to us, a very experienced and older group, so we know we’re going to have to be at our best,” Prescott said.