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Round 4 Preview Claremont vs. East Fremantle

Friday, April 11, 2014 - 3:22 PM

Claremont will be looking to rebound from its disappointing performance against Subiaco when they take on the Sharks at East Fremantle Oval this Saturday.

For the second time this season the Tigers were completely outplayed, and will need a similar response to the one shown against West Perth in round two.

The Sharks are coming off a bye in round three, and will be no pushovers at their home ground as both teams chase their second wins for the season.

The main challenge for the Tigers is finding consistency on a weekly basis.

They will also be hoping to start the match in better fashion, having kicked a combined total of six goals in first quarters this season.

Captain Jake Murphy will miss the match after injuring a knee in the loss to Subiaco, while vice-captain Trinity Handley will miss a third straight game since injuring a hamstring against Perth in round one.

Luke Cameron could be set for his League debut and Jordan McCallister could play his second game after both were included in an extended squad.

Mathew Aitchison, Ben Daniher, Sam Fong, and Kiefer Yu are the other inclusions, while Steven Edwards and Henry Roberts have made way from the team who lost to the Lions.

The game could be a low-scoring contest, with the Tigers averaging 59.6 points a game in 2014, compared to the Sharks 62.5.

Brandon Franz will more than likely be given the job of marking the dangerous Ryan Lester-Smith after a fantastic game against Subiaco.

The Tigers will be looking to get more from their forwards, although Jack Richardson and Jack Bradshaw did combine to kick four goals against the Lions.

The battle of the midfield shapes as a beauty, with, Luke Blackwell, Matt Orzel, Sam Fong and Ryan Neates coming up against the likes of Rory O’Brien, Brad Dalziell, Jamie McNamara, and Scott Hancock.

The teams met three times last season with the Tigers claiming two wins, while the Sharks won the only contest at Shark Park.

The Tigers would dearly love to square their record at two wins and two losses ahead of a bye in round five.

Bounce down is at 2.05pm.

by Dan Scamozzi