TAC Cup: Rhylee West stars as Calder Cannons get on board with victory over Eastern Ranges

WESTERN Bulldogs father-son prospect Rhylee West ran amok as Calder Cannons recorded their first win of the TAC Cup season over Eastern Ranges.

Rhylee West hunts the footy during Calder Cannons’ victory over Eastern Ranges. Picture: Getty Images.

WESTERN Bulldogs father-son prospect Rhylee West ran amok as Calder Cannons recorded their first win of the TAC Cup season over Eastern Ranges.

West, the son of Bulldogs champion Scott West, gathered 31 disposals, pulled down a hanger and booted one goal in Calder’s 11.17 (83) to 7.8 (50) Round 2 victory.

“There’s a few father-sons at the club and it is always exciting for AFL club followers when they see one of their former stars’ (children) coming through,” Cannons coach Ross Smith said.

“Just the name gets them excited. Westy has been terrific.

“Mason Fletcher has been fantastic as well. He has been doing a great job down back.

“He’s learning quite rapidly and he’s competing quite well.”

Calder controlled the contest against Eastern from halftime, opening a 24-point three-quarter-time advantage and kicking four goals to three in the last term.

“They were good both offensively and defensively,” Smith said.

“I think in the first game we were pretty good offensively but we probably didn’t defend very well.

“We didn’t tackle very well, we probably didn’t value that side of the game. Tackling is still a very important part of development as well.”

Ruckmen James Westphal and Jas Corless fly for a tap out in the evening sun. Picture: Getty Images.

A spread of 10 goalkickers pleased Smith, while the efforts of defender Lucas Cavallaro, Tye Browning and Jake Firebrace won praise.

“One of the things with our group, we have got a lot of players we think can go forward, back and midfield,” Smith said.

The first-year Calder coach will be forced to throw the magnets around in coming weeks as the club manages the departure of several players to school football.

Smith said he hoped players who were given a TAC Cup opportunity as a result would be ready for the challenge.

“It doesn’t matter what level you play at,” he said.

“When you step up in quality, it does take a little bit of time to find your feet. Hopefully those guys can do that fairly quickly.”

The Cannons next face Sandringham away on Sunday.