Round 11 Match WAFLW Report – Claremont Tigers vs South Fremantle:

Claremont has solidified their position at the top of the ladder with a dominant victory over the second-seeded South Fremantle.

This victory puts them eight points clear of their weekend competitors, South Fremantle, who, while having more Inside 50s, were unable to match the Claremont Tigers' accuracy and efficiency.

Despite South Fremantle's seven more Inside 50s, it was Claremont's agile and adaptable rotating defence that effectively neutralised this statistical advantage.

Claremont also faced the challenge of missing their lead ruckman, Matilda Dyke. This enabled South Fremantle's Ariana Hetherington, who currently leads the competition in hitouts, to win the ruck duel.

While South Fremantle may have won the hitout battle on paper, their statistical superiority did not translate into physical dominance, as Claremont's midfield showcased their exceptional football IQ in clearance work.

Despite the hitout disadvantage, the Tigers' midfield combination skilfully capitalised on clearances by immediately releasing a player to run forward, anticipating their teammate's ability to secure possession and carry the ball out of the midfield.

This strategic approach often left the opposition outnumbered, with more Tigers players positioned forward of the pack and in possession of the ball. This tactical manoeuvre resulted in several clean inside 50s for Claremont.

Claremont's opening five consecutive goals provided them a cushion that allowed for the anticipated second-half resurgence by the competitive Bulldogs.

The final result was 3.5 (23) to 8.4 (52) in favour of the Tigers.

The defensive unit of Claremont showcased their resilience and skill in today's match, particularly when facing repeated inside 50 entries from the Bulldogs.

Claire Ortlepp, Taylah Angel, and Mackenzie Webb played pivotal roles in cooling down the offensive pressure through their intercept marks, strong tackling, and effective switching plays.

Ortlepp led the defensive line with an impressive performance of 17 disposals, 7 marks, and 3 tackles. Meanwhile, Angel and Webb contributed with 10 possessions, 4 marks, and 11 possessions, 4 marks, respectively.

The defenders’ ability to swiftly switch the play proved to be a significant factor in Claremont's fluid and effective gameplay.

Continuing their impressive form, the midfield duo of Matilda Sergeant and Jayme Harken once again demonstrated their ability to establish midfield dominance in today's match. Their contributions proved instrumental in capitalising on the ruck imbalance and assessing the center clearances.

Matilda Sergeant showcased her skills with 20 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, and 3 inside 50s, while Jayme Harken led the ground in possessions, tallying an impressive 24 disposals, 4 marks, and 4 tackles.

Week after week, their relentless efforts continue to propel the team to new heights, making it incredibly challenging for their competitors to contain them.

In today's match, Claremont's offensive players thrived on the possession won in the back half of the ground. Rachel Ortlepp, Jacinta Valentini, and Georgia Webb emerged as key contributors, each scoring two goals.

The trio showcased their impressive pack marking skills, taking crucial marks in the forward 50 that set up scoring opportunities. Ortlepp and Valentini also demonstrated their craftiness in handballing, forcefully punching the ball forward to maintain the team's forward momentum. Ortlepp finished the game with 12 disposals, 5 marks, and 2 tackles, while Valentini recorded 11 possessions, 3 marks, and 2 inside 50s.

Claremont is now eagerly anticipating their upcoming road trip to Broome, where they will face off against Subiaco in an exhibition match. The Tigers can draw confidence from their previous convincing victory over Subiaco earlier this year, as well as the experience gained from their preseason match which involved traveling.

Scheduled to kick off at 12:00 pm on Saturday, Claremont aims to secure another four points to add to their ladder total against the fifth-seeded Subiaco. With a well-deserved rest awaiting them on the other side of round 12, the Tigers have even more motivation to approach this matchup with full force while enjoying the warmth and ambiance of Broome.

Claremont Goal Scorers:

Rachel Ortlepp (2), Jacinta Valentini (2), Georgia Webb (2), Adele Arnup, Eva O’Donnell

Claremont Best:

Jayme Harken, Rachel Ortlepp, Matilda Sergeant, Jacinta Valentini, Claire Ortlepp, Taylah Angel