Welcome Back Zac

By Ken Casellas

Zac Mainwaring warmed the hearts of Claremont’s supporters when he resumed after an enforced two-match absence and exploded into action at the start of the second semi-final against league leaders Peel Thunder at Rushton Park on Saturday.

The Tigers won the opening centre ball-up and the match was only a few seconds old when the dynamic Mainwaring, resembling a human wrecking ball, chased down Peel’s Bailey Banfield and his fierce tackle was rewarded with a free-kick which he converted into a goal.

Ben Elliott gained the clearance from the resultant centre ball-up and Mainwaring took a fine mark and scored his second goal to have the visiting fans in raptures.

The inspirational Mainwaring, back in action after missing Claremont’s two previous matches as he recovered from concussion, was providing tremendous energy and he launched himself skywards to take a grand high mark at the five-minute mark of the quarter. But no score resulted.

Moments later Mainwaring was under notice as he applied another crunching tackle. Peel steadied and goals to Dustin Walters and Scott Tuia wrested the lead from the visitors. Later in the quarter Mainwaring earned another free-kick after a great chase and tackle on Sean Hunter.

Peel’s defence stood firm and a goal to the home side’s Darcy Wills was followed soon afterwards with Claremont full-back Max Minear earning the plaudits of the crowd when he took a great intercept mark late in the opening quarter.

After Claremont had led two goals to nil three minutes into the game Peel outpaced and outplayed the Tigers, who were held scoreless while the Thunder added 7.5 to lead by 35 points.

A great saving mark by Minear against Charlie Nicholls was a highlight in this most disappointing period. Finally, at the 18-minute mark of the second term Alec Waterman broke the drought when he smothered a Peel clearing kick, grabbed the ball and snapped Claremont’s third goal which was followed 17 minutes later by a major from Heath Mellody, who gained possession in congestion and snapped truly just before the half-time siren.

Claremont then made it six goals in a row when Kieran Gowdie (after accepting an excellent pass from Mellody), Talon Delacey, Waterman and Mainwaring scored the first four majors in the third term to take a two-point lead.

Peel then scored the next six goals and prevented the Tigers from scoring a goal in the final quarter to win by 28 points and qualify for the grand final while the Tigers will need to regroup and beat East Perth in a preliminary final at Revo Fitness Stadium next Sunday to earn the right to resume hostilities against Peel the following weekend.

The Tigers will need to improve to have a chance of winning the premiership against Peel, who had a significant advantage over them on Saturday with their side boasting 14 full-time professional AFL-listed players on the Fremantle Dockers’ playing list.

But to have this opportunity for redemption in the grand final The Tigers must lift their efforts and regain their composure to beat East Perth on Sunday after the Royals had revealed great spirit to defeat Perth in last Saturday’s first semi-final.

Details:

Peel Thunder 13.7 (85) beat Claremont 8.9 (57)

Scorers— PEEL: C. Nicholls 3.0; T. Murray 2.0; J. O’Meara, K. Sanders 1.1; C. Scerri, J. Sears, L. Tardrew, S. Tuia, D. Walters, D. Wills 1.0; J. Sharp 0.2; T. Whan 0.1; 2pts forced. CLAREMONT: Z. Mainwaring 3.0; A. Waterman 2.1; K. Gowdie 1.1; T. Delacey, H. Mellody 1.0; T. Headland, B. Rogers 0.1; 5pts forced.

Best—PEEL: L. Tardrew, J. Carr, J. Sharp, T. Murray, C. Simpson, B. Banfield, T. Whan, B. Hancock, D. Wills. CLAREMONT: Z. Mainwaring, C. England, O. Eastland, J. Peace, H. Mellody, M. Minear, S. Alvarez, D. Hardisty, A. Waterman.