Zac Mainwaring has long been one of the WAFL’s most dangerous small forwards.
Yet a move to the midfield could prove to be the key to unlocking Claremont’s premiership aspirations in 2026.
The son of the late dual West Coast premiership wingman Chris, Mainwaring has elevated not only his fitness and football nous but also his leadership, becoming a key figure at Tigerland.
Alongside Sandover medallists and skippers Callan England and Bailey Rogers, as well as star ruckman Ollie Eastland, Mainwaring is emerging as a potential midfield star.
The 24-year-old is averaging a career-high 18 disposals and six tackles, while he was elevated to vice-captain in the off-season.
Eastland said Mainwaring had put in a lot of work in the off-season to develop a midfielder’s tank and would benefit as he continued to learn the role.
“He’s been massive. He’s become a vice-captain of this footy club, but his voice, intensity, and want to win football games for us is massive,” he told The West Australian.
“He’s team first, and I love playing with him. He’s a gun forward, and he’s a gun midfielder. He is adapting as a midfielder and learning his craft.
“Zac’s strong for his size, but he did a bit more running over the summer, (he) was winning our running as well. You can tell why he’s a great player; he worked on his fitness over the summer.”
Mainwaring is holding out some good players as well, with Claremont’s depth continuing to be one of their strengths.
Former Adelaide midfielder and vice-captain Ronin O’Connor has been unable to break into the league side, while the likes of Adam Boules and Josh Howard are also waiting in the wings.
“That’s what you get when you get to good clubs, a lot of good players in the reserves as well,” Eastland said.
“Ronin’s a great person, and I am sure he will play league footy. He’ll be working on his game more.”
Claremont have one of the most settled squads in the WAFL and haven’t missed the finals since 2017 as a result.
However, they’ve been unable to break their 14-year premiership drought in that time despite being perennial contenders.
Eastland said they could not let their mind wander to think about the potential need to win a flag before the end of this era at the Tigers.
“You can think like that, but it is about thinking week by week and winning games of football for this club,” he said.
“If we get there again, I think we know what we need to do, but at the moment it’s about trying to build wins up, get to finals.
“We were thinking about beating Peel today and South Fremantle next week.”
