Gowdie Emerges as Claremont Match-Winner

John Townsend

Kieran Gowdie has spent much of his ruck career in Ollie Eastland’s shadow while the arrival of spearhead Jaiden Hunter has forced the big man to play second fiddle in attack.

Not on Friday night, though.

Hunter’s absence with a broken finger gave Gowdie the perfect time to emerge as a match-winner in his own right as Claremont were pushed to the limit but had too much class and intensity for a competitive West Perth.

Gowdie’s three goals were vital in the low-scoring match while his valuable support for Eastland helped wear down West Perth’s promising ruck brigade.

The result was a nine-point victory, 10.9 (69) to 9.6 (60), that didn’t reflect Claremont’s control of the contest but strengthened their grasp on a top-five place.

The Tigers’ percentage – 141.5% – is the best in the league which adds a bittersweet element to the season-opening draw with Peel: victory in that game would have ensured current top spot in the tight competition.

West Perth made a bright start at home at HIF Oval with the first two goals before Bailey Rogers underlined his class by gathering a loose ball at half-forward, bursting through traffic and launching a 55m bomb to open Claremont’s scoring.

A minute later, Lachie Martinis ran the ball inside 50 where Gowdie collected it and converted his first kick of the match.

Claremont’s defensive intensity was evident early. Their official tackle count trailed West Perth in each quarter but their early pressure and eagerness to get numbers to each contest ensured the home team was not able to generate any momentum and were often forced into errors with the ball.

Tyler Keitel remained West Perth’s sole goalkicker when he landed his third early in the second term but the immediate move of Jasper Peace to the triple Bernie Naylor medallist ended his impact and forced him to move away from the danger zone to get the ball.

Peace only won the ball six times but his game-high seven spoils and ever-present physical presence were crucial factors in restricting the big Falcon.

The teams traded goals in the second term with Gowdie adding a second when he hauled in a powerful pack mark while Anthony Davis threaded the needle from 50m to kick his first major since taking on the same team last August.

Claremont were a different team after half-time: more efficient, driven by greater urgency and able to convert their dominance to the scoreboard.

Gowdie opened the scoring after getting on the end of a Tyron Smallwood pass into attack, the lively Jack

Musika added two of his own and debutant Riley Disisto, who made a bright start to his career with a dozen disposals and five inside-50s, was swamped by team-mates when he received a Mitch Barron hand-ball and converted under pressure from 40m.

Claremont led by 16 points at the last break and appeared to have the game in their keeping when Ben Elliott, who has been building steadily in a midfield stacked with Sandover medallists, kicked the only goal of the period after Martinis picked him out inside 50.

The ball was locked in Claremont’s forward line for most of the last quarter, with the 16-7 inside-50 count underlining their control and five consecutive behinds indicating their opportunities, but West Perth found enough ways to get to the other end to kick three goals and cause a few nervous moments.

Rogers was prominent again with game-high returns in disposals (29), kicks (22), clearances (9) and inside-50s (5) while Eastland’s 29 hit-outs were complemented by Gowdie’s 15 taps and considerable authority in attack.

Claremont’s strongest recent rivalry is with South Fremantle, with three one-point losses and a three-point grand final defeat among the 6-6 record of the past five seasons, while another enticing encounter awaits at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.

CLAREMONT 2.2 5.3 9.4 10.9 69

WEST PERTH 2.2 5.5 6.6 9.6 60

GOALS – CLAREMONT: Gowdie 3; Musika 2; Delacey Rogers, Davis, Disisto, Elliott.

WEST PERTH: Keitel 4; Hinder 2; Knott, Dixon, Demarte.

BEST – CLAREMONT: Gowdie, Rogers, Elliott, Eastland, Musika, Peace, Bolton.

WEST PERTH: Bevan, Keitel, Hinder, Guadagnin, Rundle.