Tigers Overrun By Falcons

By Dan Scamozzi

Claremont Reserves suffered their first defeat since round nine after being overrun by West Perth in glorious conditions at Revo Fitness Stadium in round 15.

Leading by 18 points at three-quarter time in a low-scoring contest, the Tigers went scoreless in the final term as the Falcons kicked three unanswered goals to prevail by two points, 5.10 (40) to 5.8 (38).

Running out games is something coach Darren Harper and the playing group will need to address during their final bye of the home-and-away season, with the Tigers going goalless in their past two final terms.

The versatile Ben Clarke (21 disposals, equal game-high seven tackles, equal team-high four inside 50s) gave Claremont tremendous service from half-back and was ably assisted by defender Louis Passera, while half-back flanker Morgan Davies recorded a game-high 31 disposals in his best game of the season.

Inside midfielders Mitch Barron and Ben Elliott (26 disposals, game-high nine marks, equal game-high seven tackles, one goal) worked hard in the engine room, while Riley Disisto and Ryley Valli made their debuts.

Acting captain and reliable defender Sean Williams elected to kick to the northern end of the ground in the opening term, a courageous mark from Davies at full-back an early sign of things to come as he put his body on the line.

Davies then won a holding-the-ball free kick on the wing to continue his promising start to the game, before hardworking forward Dylan Mulligan crumbed and snapped the first goal.

With Claremont's ferocious tackling already on display, athletic ruckman George Graham split the middle from distance as the Tigers took a 13-point lead at quarter-time, Harper happy with the positive opening but encouraging the hosts to increase their communication.

Claremont began the second term ahead in contested and uncontested possessions and with Davies already up to 13 touches, West Perth's Logan Foley kicking the Falcons' first goal before Clarke won a holding-the-ball free kick.

Callum Johnson (team-high 23 disposals, game-high six inside 50s) kicked West Perth's second goal to level scores at half-time after Claremont went goalless for the term, key forward and debutant Disisto moving to a wing to start the second half.

A front-and-centre Elliott kicked Claremont's third goal to restore the lead in the third term, a spearing pass from wingman Heath Ravenhill setting up exciting forward Rory Charles for the Tigers' fourth major before fellow forward Corey Mitchell added his name to the goal kicker's list as the hosts turned for home with their game-high 18-point lead.

Harper encouraged the Tigers to move the ball with speed and play the game in their front half, however, the Falcons finished with all the running and momentum as they kicked three unanswered goals in the final term to record their eighth win.

Claremont face East Fremantle at the WACA in round 17.

Meanwhile, Claremont Colts recorded their fifth consecutive win after defeating West Perth by 43 points, 13.9 (87) to 6.8 (44), to draw level with top-of-the-table Perth on 11 wins.

CLAREMONT 2.3 2.5 5.8 5.8 (38)

WEST PERTH 0.2 2.5 2.8 5.10 (40)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 1 B. Elliott, D. Mulligan, G. Graham, C. Mitchell, R. Charles.

WEST PERTH: 1 C. Johnson, L. Foley, J. Scaife, N. Dimanlig, J. Demarte.

BEST

CLAREMONT: B. Clarke, L. Passera, M. Davies, M. Barron, B. Elliott.

WEST PERTH: R. Hudson, J. Demarte, Z. Fleiner