Claremont’s Sean Williams reflects on debut year as Ben Hewett hopes to lead Swans from last to first in colts

Broome product Sean Williams’ remarkable rise continues on Saturday when he captains Claremont in the WAFL colts grand final against Swan Districts at Optus Stadium. The 19-year-old only moved to Perth in January for his debut season of colts and couldn’t break into the talent-laden side until round seven, forced to play amateurs for Wembley instead and bide his time. But the versatile defender was best-afield on debut against East Fremantle and has since cemented his spot in the side, with his ability to shutdown tall or small forwards impressing coach Matt Angus. “I’ve been up north my whole life and always dreamed of trying to give it a crack at the next level,” Williams said. “I actually struggled to break into the side early in the season, I didn’t make my debut until round seven against East Freo and it was a pretty good trot after that. We won 10 games straight.” Three weeks after becoming the first player to keep East Perth sharpshooter Jye Amiss, who booted 53 goals for the season, goalless, Williams has put his hand up for the dangerous assignment of Swans livewire Tyrell Metcalf Metcalf was the beneficiary of Swan Districts losing their semi-final clash against Claremont a fortnight ago because the extra match played to get into the grand final meant he served his two-game ban. The 18-year-old has 32 majors in 13 games in his debut season at the club, including multiple hauls in his last five. His close mate and fellow ex-Peel Thunder player Kobe Farmer makes way. “That’s been the discussion in the backs meeting, that I’ll probably take him again,” Williams said. “He’s a serious livewire so he’s a very hard match-up but I’ll give it my best crack and hopefully nullify his strengths if possible. “I played on him last time we played (in round 22) and he sort of got the better of me in the last quarter and kicked a few handy snags.” After three knee injuries in as many years, followed by a hamstring strain during the first week of finals, midfielder Kieran Kavanagh will be hoping for a fairytale flag. Kavanagh comes in for bottom-ager Will Bailey after getting through training, while fellow bull Angus Sheldrick has also passed a fitness test after a bad corky a fortnight ago. Swan Districts have enjoyed a rapid rise of their own, going from the wooden spoon last season to minor premiers and their first grand final appearance since 2018. Captain Ben Hewett, who finished third in the Jack Clarke Medal WAFL colts fairest-and-best, put the improvement down to hard work and camaraderie. “We identified at the end of last year that we weren’t really a unit, we were a bunch of individuals,” Hewett said. “We came together as a collective and figured out what we needed to do to gain success and that was camaraderie and mateship. “We have a great love for each other and a great love for this footy club. We spoke about it during the week about why we’re in this position and that’s because of hard work and camaraderie with each other and love for each other.” Hewett said it would mean “a lot” to win a premiership alongside his younger brother and 2022 draft fancy Elijah Hewett, who has been in dominant form since returning to colts after an Alcock Cup-winning PSA campaign with Scotch College. “I love playing footy with my brother and my parents certainly love watching us play together,” Ben Hewett said. “It would mean a lot to him, myself and my family to win one together. It’s a great moment in football and to share it with someone you love and is part of your family means even more.” All three previous clashes this season have been single-digit results. Swan Districts won both of the home-and-away meetings between these two sides by five points (in round one) and nine (in round 22), while Claremont prevailed by nine in the second semi-final to earn direct entry into their third consecutive decider.