South West AFL Watch: Clay Hall earns Rising Star nomination for standout performance against Collingwood

Binningup’s Clay Hall earned an AFL Rising Star nomination on the back of a standout performance in West Coast’s 29-point loss to ladder-leaders Collingwood at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. Hall won a career-high 22 disposals which included four clearances as his side produced a fine showing before faltering late in a 13.10 (88) to 8.11 (59) loss to the ladder-leaders. The 20-year-old, who played his junior football at Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault, told SEN he felt the nomination was “reward for effort” throughout the season. “A lot has gone into this year, whether it’s at WAFL level or when I do get my chance at AFL level,” Hall said. “I’ve just had the mindset to stay ready at all times, so that’s just making sure my weeks are looking very consistent with the touch I’m getting done, the diet I’m having, the catch-ups I’m having with my coaches so when the opportunity did come, I was able to grab it with both hands.” After making three appearances for West Coast’s senior side early in the season, Hall was then dropped back to their reserves, where he staked his claim for a recall with a sustained spell of strong form which saw him average 29.2 disposals through six games. Hall said his main priority was to be a good teammate regardless of what level he was playing at. “You can be disappointed with not making your way into the side, but that’s not something I can control, so there’s no point moping about that,” he said. “Two, three years ago when I was playing local footy (and) then transitioned to Peel Thunder, this is the position I wanted to be in the whole time. I’m just so grateful to be on an AFL list doing what I love as a job. “If I can just help the people around me when I’m not playing, I think that’s a great result as well.” Hall’s fellow South West Eagles Brady Hough (Harvey) and Reuben Ginbey (Dunsborough) were also among the side’s best performers on the night. Hough continued to display his growth in his new midfield role by winning a career-high 27 disposals which came at a perfect disposal efficiency percentage of 100 and also included a classy third-term goal. Ginbey was matched up with one of the league’s form forwards in Magpie Jamie Elliott but kept his opponent to only one goal while gathering 15 disposals himself. On Sunday, a tough individual season for Jye Amiss continued in Fremantle’s 12-point comeback win over St Kilda at Optus Stadium, with the Busselton product held without a goal for the third week running as the Dockers won their sixth game in a row.