How does a team which has more kicks, marks, handpasses, tackles, clearances and inside 50s lose a game of football?

The answer is simple: the players lose their focus and concentration and, in the case of Claremont versus Subiaco at East Fremantle Oval on Saturday, they fail to implement the simple tactic of slowing the game down by resorting to tempo football by retaining possession and chipping the ball around, thereby frustrating the opposition.

Claremont appeared certain of victory in a low-scoring contest when they led by 24 points, 9.12 to 6.6, at the 12-minute mark of the final quarter. But in the space of 11 minutes Subiaco added 5.2 and held Claremont scoreless as they inflicted a demoralising seven-point defeat on the unbeaten competition leaders.

The Lions displayed a never-say-die attitude and triumphed despite finishing well behind the Tigers on the statistical charts.

Claremont’s players took 100 marks to Subiaco’s 48, they had 209 kicks to 174, made 108 handpasses to 83, laid 39 tackles to 17, gained 34 clearances at stoppages to 30 and penetrated their 50m attacking zone 46 times to 32.

So, who says statistics never lie?

Perhaps the defeat will prove a long-term benefit to the Tigers. It should be a salutary lesson and all players will now realise the need to revert to tempo football when the situation demands it. Nothing frustrates the opposition more than having a side taking its time and short-passing the ball sideways and backwards.

Claremont went into the match without Ryan Lim and Sam Bevan (away on AIS duty), Jared Hardisty (inflamed arm), Harry Court (foot injury) and Scott Trickey (fractured finger) and this provided the opportunity for Matthew Ledger, Nick Barrow, Adam Volaric, Aden Wilkins and Jacob Delaporte to make their first appearance in colts ranks.

Volaric, playing in a forward pocket, was under notice early with some excellent work in the opening term and the other newcomers also showed good promise, particularly half-back flanker Wilkins, who finished with eight marks, 13 kicks and six effective handpasses.

The defences were on top early before the Tigers went into the quarter-time break with a one-point lead, 2.2 to 2.1. Talented half-forward flanker Isaac Baum booted both Claremont’s goals, the first coming after four and a half minutes when he marked a Subiaco clearing kick, and the second at the 21-minute mark after he had marked a 60m kick into attack from half-back flanker Josh Barty.

Claremont had received great drive from midfielders Alec Waterman, Bailey Rogers, Harry Wilkinson and Sam Humphry. This quartet continued in excellent form, with the dynamic left-footer Waterman emerging clearly as best on ground with his powerful, determined efforts which netted him six marks, 14 kicks and 13 effective handpasses. He gained five clearances from stoppages (a tally equalled by Rogers and bettered only by the total of eight recorded by Wilkinson).  

The Tigers were smartest into stride in the second term with two goals in the first six minutes, the first coming from Delaporte after he had received a long handpass from Lawrence Evans after a move initiated by defender Greg Colbung.

Centre-half-back Francis Watson earned plaudits for a typical flamboyant high-flying mark and soon after that Baum flew high to pull down a splendid mark. He then booted his third major.

The Maroons replied with goals to Connor Wilkinson and Jeremy Woodley before Rogers hit back with Claremont’s fifth goal. It was a see-sawing contest and Subiaco scored their fifth goal from the boot of Cody Grace. The game was up for grabs with Subiaco leading at half-time, 5.4 to 5.3.

A mark to full-forward Matt Palfrey at the start of the third term resulted in a behind before the Tigers got their sixth and seventh goals in quick succession from Harry McCracken and Baum.

McCracken booted his goal from long range after some good work from Wilkins and Harry Taylor. Then 80 seconds later Humphry fired out a handpass to Palfrey, who booted the ball long to the top of the goalsquare where Baum received a free-kick and booted his fourth.

Claremont were unable to gain a significant lead and the Lions replied within a minute with a goal to Jeremy Woodley. Claremont then led, 7.4 to 6.4, six minutes into the quarter. Neither side scored a goal in the final 19 minutes, during which time the Tigers frittered away many chances and added five behinds to Subiaco’s single behind.

The Tigers assumed control in the early stages of the final term. Wilkinson passed to Baum, whose kick was marked in the right pocket by Palfrey for Claremont’s eighth goal. Five minutes later a long shot from Humphry arrived in the goalsquare where the mercurial Palfrey soared to take a fine mark. His goal gave the Tigers a handy 24-point lead.

But then it was Subiaco’s turn. Some sloppy play resulted in Subiaco’s Abraham Kennedy scoring two goals in quick succession. These were followed by goals to Ryan Vermeesch, Grace and Jak Cary to put the Lions in front.

Claremont worked desperately in the dying moments to fight back and finally Rogers got the ball to Palfrey, whose shot at goal was touched right on the line. But then the siren sounded with Subiaco seven points in front.

by Ken Casellas

Details:

 Subiaco 11.8 (74) beat Claremont 9.13 (67)

Scorers---SUBIACO: Jeremy Woodley 2.2; C. Grace, A. Kennedy, R. Vermeesch 2.0; J. Cary, C. Wilkinson, Justin Woodley 1.0; A. Summers 0.3; C. Bryan, J. Hatch 0.1; 1pt forced. CLAREMONT: I. Baum 4.1; M. Palfrey 2.3; J. Delaporte 1.1; H. McCracken, B. Rogers 1.0; L. Evans 0.3; A. Volaric 0.2; M. Ledger, J. Prendiville, L. Stubber 0.1.

Best---SUBIACO: G. Clark, C. Bryan, C. Buscall, A. Kennedy, A. Summers, J. Hatch, C. Wilkinson. CLAREMONT: A. Waterman, H. Wilkinson, H. Taylor, I. Baum, B. Rogers, A. Wilkins, F. Watson, G. Colbung, A. Volaric, J. Prendiville.