Tigers claw past Bulldogs

By Dan Scamozzi

Claremont’s Reserves are one win away from the grand final after a stirring comeback saw them defeat South Fremantle by nine points in the qualifying final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval last Saturday.

Despite a scoreless opening term and a 27-point deficit at quarter-time, the Tigers slammed on nine goals to four in the following three quarters to prevail 9.11 (65) to 8.8 (56) and end a two-game losing run.

10 scoring shots to 0.1 in the second term enabled Claremont to work their way back into the contest, and despite a return of 2.8, the Tigers stepped it up a gear after half-time on the back of quick ball movement and an electric forward line.

Jack Richardson (three goals) and Ben Higgs (two) put on a clinic both in the air and at ground level during the third term to give the Tigers a one-point buffer at the final change, before a resolute defence led by Dylan Ross (nine marks), Ian Rowe (eight), Cameron Palmer (six) and Luke Maddock (six) ensured Claremont held on for an inspiring win.

Justin Speed (23 disposals, six inside 50s) and Gerrick Weedon (23 disposals) provided their typical grunt in the contest and through midfield to send the Tigers forward, while Tom Shanahan and Zac Langdon (one goal) each laid seven tackles.

South was best served by Adam Guglielmana (32 disposals, 10 marks), Billy Collier (28 disposals, five inside 50s), Jake Florenca (24 disposals, nine marks) and Josh Collard (24 disposals, seven marks), while Tim English underlined his talent with 29 hit outs and nine marks.

Brandon Donaldson (seven marks, three goals) and Anthony Nodari (two goals) provided avenues in the forward line, however, the Bulldogs had no answers to Claremont’s powerful second half and have now lost their past four games.

Matthew Grubelich gave South the first goal of the game, and it wasn’t long before Donaldson made it two after a high-flying mark on the goal line gave the hosts a 15-point lead over a lacklustre Claremont.

Donaldson then added his second before a goal to Nodari gave the hosts four in a row and a 27-point lead at the first change against a Claremont team who had yet to come to grips with the contest.

Claremont coach Kepler Bradley implored his players to slow the game down and reduce the amount of handball, and when Matthew Ehlers kicked truly in the second minute of the second term, the Tigers were on the board and reduced the margin to 21 points.

A big pack-mark by Richardson was the highlight of the next 20 minutes, before a goal to Langdon gave Claremont two in a row and some momentum.

An outstanding bit of poise enabled Francis Watson to sidestep a couple of opponents and remind everyone of his capabilities, as the Tigers pulled to within eight points at half-time.

Goals to Donaldson (third) and Nodari (second) gave South a fast start to the second half and extended their lead to 22 points, before Richardson and Higgs took over.

A booming clearance by Matthew Palfrey enabled Richardson to crumb and kick his first major, before Harrison Court set up Higgs for his first goal.

Richardson then dribbled through his second, before Higgs banged through his second after a strong mark from a spearing pass by Weedon.

This meant four goals in the space of nine scintillating minutes and gave Claremont the lead for the first time, before Tim Stewart replied for South.

However, a third goal to Richardson after being found by Higgs gave Claremont the slightest of advantages at the final change, and with Richardson and Higgs’ telepathic chemistry proving too much for the Bulldogs, Bradley encouraged the Tigers to send the ball long and deep whilst playing hard and aggressive footy.

Great marks by Ross and Watson in defence enabled Claremont to preserve their lead, before a classy left-foot snap by Alex Manuel saw the Tigers take an eight-point buffer at the halfway mark of the final term.

An intercept mark and pass by the hard-working Palfrey then enabled Manuel to kick his second, before former Tiger Steven Edwards grabbed a late consolation for the Bulldogs.

Claremont now face East Perth in the 2^nd semifinal at Medibank Stadium on Sunday where a win will secure a place in the grand final.

CLAREMONT 0.0 2.8 7.8 9.11 (65)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 4.3 4.4 7.7 8.8 (56)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 J. RICHARDSON, 2 A. MANUEL, B. HIGGS, 1 M. EHLERS, Z. LANGDON.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: 3 B. DONALDSON, 2 A. NODARI, 1 M. GRUBELICH, S. EDWARDS, T. STEWART.

BEST

CLAREMONT: D. ROSS, G. WEEDON, J. SPEED, M. PALFREY, J. RICHARDSON, I. ROWE.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: A. GUGLIELMANA, B. COLLIER, B. DONALDSON, J. COLLARD, J. FLORENCA, T. ENGLISH.