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Development Report: Richardson Denies Bulldogs

Monday, August 14, 2017 - 3:05 PM

By Dan Scamozzi

Three goals to Jack Richardson, including the match winner in the final minute of the game, saw a determined Claremont defeat top-of-the-table South Fremantle by one point at Claremont Oval on Saturday.

Despite losing Nick Winmar (calf) early in the game, the Tigers prevailed 8.6 (54) to 7.11 (53) to record consecutive wins, secure second position on the ladder with two rounds left in the home-and-away season and hand the Bulldogs their first loss since round 14.


The Tigers, who trailed by 16 points at half-time, kept the Bulldogs scoreless in the third term and kicked four goals to one in the second half to record one of their best wins of the season.

Fraser Gilbert, having played every game this season, finished as Claremont’s best player and won the players’ player award after restricting South Fremantle’s Mitchell Dzelebdzic, who kicked seven goals when the teams last met at the same venue in round 16, to four marks and one goal.

Richardson, who kicked a game-high three goals and had six inside 50s (equal game-high), showed nerves of steel when he converted from 40m out on a slight angle at the northern end of the ground to end the Bulldogs’ five-game winning streak, while Matt Palfrey (26 disposals, five inside 50s) was ferocious at the contest.

Jeremy Goddard, who made his League debut against Perth seven days earlier, won 35 hit-outs and provided a presence around the ground, while Dylan Smallwood was another strong performer in defence.

Meanwhile, Morgan Davies laid a team-high 10 tackles and repeatedly set the tone with his attack on the contest.

The Bulldogs were led by Jake Florenca (33 disposals, 11 marks, 11 tackles, six inside 50s), Seaton Thompson (two goals) and Daniel Cabassi (19 disposals, six tackles, one goal), but were left to rue their inaccuracy in front of goal.

Goddard and Tom Ledger came into the Claremont team who defeated Perth in round 20, while John Williams returned for his first game since round 12 after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Cabassi gave the Bulldogs first blood at the five-minute mark of the opening term, before a great snap from Brett Wilson got the Tigers on the board five minutes later, following some great work from Richardson, who was outnumbered three-to-one but cleverly centred the ball.

A quick goal to Max Bentley gave the Tigers consecutive majors and a five-point lead, before Tom Lawrence took a crucial mark in defence.

Some great use of the body and a pass by Palfrey allowed Winmar to kick Claremont’s third goal and give the Tigers an 11-point lead at quarter-time, with the great start coming from some outstanding ball retention and an unwillingness to blaze away.

Despite the solid start, coach Kepler Bradley implored the team to guard the corridor and prevent South Fremantle from taking uncontested marks, but lauded the efforts of Claremont’s defence.

A goal to Corey Mitchell made it four consecutive majors and extended the lead to 17 points, following a spearing pass by Lachlan Martinis, before two goals each to Josh Collard and Thompson saw the Bulldogs respond and reclaim the lead.

A 50m penalty then allowed Dzelebdzic to kick the Bulldogs’ fifth consecutive goal and saw the visitors take a 16-point lead at half-time, with the Tigers needing to regroup and regain their composure.

A goal to Richardson was the only highlight of a dire third term, which saw the Tigers cut the deficit to eight points at the final change.

Despite Claremont dominating the opening 10 minutes of the final term in general play, the Tigers were inefficient going forward and couldn’t gain reward for their superiority, as a goal to Anthony Nodari gave the Bulldogs their first since the second term and extended their lead to 15 points.

A spearing left-foot pass by Ledger then allowed Lawrence, who has been thrown forward with great affect at different stages of the season, to kick truly and pull the Tigers to within nine points halfway through the term.

Enter Richardson.

A second goal to the 2016 Merv McIntosh Medallist at the 21-minute mark trimmed the Bulldogs’ lead to just three points, before the popular Tiger finished with aplomb in the closing stages of the game to secure a memorable victory.

The Tigers will aim to record their third consecutive win when they face Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval in round 22.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts slipped to third position on the ladder after a three-point loss to South Fremantle, 4.10 (34) to 5.7 (37).

CLAREMONT 3.3 4.4 5.6 8.6 (54)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 1.4 6.8 6.8 7.11 (53)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 J. Richardson, 1 N. Winmar, C. Mitchell, T. Lawrence, M. Bentley, B. Wilson.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: 2 S. Thompson, J. Collard, 1 M. Dzelebdzic, D. Cabassi, A. Nodari.

BEST

CLAREMONT: F. Gilbert, J. Richardson, M. Palfrey, J. Goddard, D. Smallwood.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: J. Florenca, S. Thompson, D. Cabassi, B. Donaldson, C. Ah Siu.