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Claremont need to gel with AFL players

By Paul Harrison
Claremont were surprisingly beaten last week by a tenacious Swan Districts at Claremont Oval.

The Tigers had four of its AFL contingent - Andrew Browne, Clive Waterhouse, Trent Carroll and Beau Waters - in the line up against Swans, making them raging favourites.

Ben Cunningham was also listed to play, but pulled out because of injury.

The question has to be asked - is the influx of so many AFL players into the side a help or a hindrance?

Claremont coach Ashley Prescott may well have to deal with several AFL players coming and going each week in 2004.

It can be argued that the five players mentioned are all border-line players for their respective AFL clubs.

The Fremantle listed players, Waterhouse, Browne and Cunningham have all tasted AFL football this season, but have failed to cement a regular berth.

Waterhouse in particular is at the cross-roads in his AFL career, failing to fire in his appearances for the Dockers this season; hence his demotion to Claremont last week.

While the Dockers continue to perform at their current level, its hard to see Waterhouse being a regular member of the starting twenty-two.

Cunningham is a solid contributor for the Dockers, but will often lose his place because of team balance and specific match ups.

There is no doubting Browne