By Dan Scamozzi

A relentless performance from Claremont’s Reserves culminated in a 71-point hammering of West Perth at Claremont Oval on Saturday and has the Tigers primed for a big finals series.

The 17.7 (109) to 5.8 (38) demolition gave the Tigers their fourth consecutive win and resulted from an even performance across the team, 102 more disposals, 15 more inside 50s, 11 more scoring shots and eight goal kickers.

The result means Claremont secured second position on the ladder, a double chance and will face Subiaco in the qualifying final.

44 disposals, relentless running and a will to get to contest after contest saw Tom Ledger finish as Claremont’s best player, with Matt Davies (38 disposals, five tackles, seven inside 50s, two goals) in strong support.

Ruckman Jeremy Goddard (15 disposals, 43 hit-outs) had the better of his duel with West Perth’s Chris Keunen, while Tom Shanahan (32 disposals) attacked the contest with vigour and helped set the tone for the Tigers.

Dylan Holt (10 marks, two goals) worked hard in the forward line, while debutant Fraser House (five tackles) won the players’ player award after a promising debut on a half-back flank.

The win also featured an even performance from Claremont’s forward line, with Eddie Simpson (10 marks, three goals), Jack Richardson (10 marks, three goals), Kaiden Gilbert (three goals) and Corey Mitchell (two goals) all complimenting each other.

In further good news, Jesse Laurie returned from injury for his first game at any level since round 17, with Nick Winmar also among the inclusions and Harrison Wroth lining up for his first game since round seven.

Rudy Riddoch kicked two goals for West Perth, but was their only multiple goal kicker as the eighth-placed Falcons were held goalless in the third term and finished their season with consecutive losses.

A goal to Davies gave Claremont first blood and an early lead, before Richardson left the field with a dislocated finger.

A free-kick to Mitchell five minutes later saw the speedy Tiger kick the team’s second, before Goddard made a goal-saving interception at the other end.

Riddoch then kicked West Perth’s first major, before Gilbert kicked truly after a booming pass from John Williams.

Repeat efforts by Ben Rushforth at half-back reaffirmed Claremont’s appetite for the contest, before Mitchell Van Berlo kicked the Falcons’ second major.

Contested efforts by Ledger and a high kick from Goddard saw Simpson haul in a strong mark, kick the Tigers’ fourth goal and give the team a 10-point lead at quarter-time.

With the opening three minutes of the second term played exclusively in West Perth’s forward half, a goal to Martin Geraghty pulled the visitors to within two points, before the Tigers hit back with three consecutive majors.

A goal to Keunen kept West Perth within touch, before an arrow from the left-forward pocket from Holt gave the Tigers a 20-point lead at half-time.

A five-goal-to-nil third term saw the Tigers turn for home with an unassailable 51-point lead, before Simpson started the final term by kicking his third major and giving Claremont seven consecutive goals.

A goal-saving interception by Declan Hardisty denied West Perth their fifth goal, before Riddoch kicked his second and the Falcons’ first major since the 21-minute mark of the second term.

However, a third to Richardson and second majors to Holt and Davies capped off an impressive win and gave the Tigers 10 of the last 11 goals of the game.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts secured second position on the ladder, a double chance and will face Swan Districts in the qualifying final after mauling West Perth by 88 points, 18.16 (124) to 5.6 (36).

CLAREMONT 4.0 8.2 13.4 17.7 (109)

WEST PERTH 2.2 4.6 4.7 5.8 (38)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 K. Gilbert, J. Richardson, E. Simpson, 2 M. Davies, D. Holt, C. Mitchell, 1 N. Winmar, M. Bentley.

WEST PERTH: 2 R. Riddoch, 1 C. Keunen, M. Geraghty, M. Van Berlo.

BEST

CLAREMONT: T. Ledger, M. Davies, J. Goddard, T. Shanahan, D. Holt.

WEST PERTH: C. Lynch, R. Hutchinson, M. Peirce, B. James.