Pre-Season Match 2 League Report: Tigers No Match For Bulldogs

A slick and ruthless South Fremantle proved too good for Claremont in the Tigers’ final pre-season hit-out at Fremantle Community Bank Oval last Saturday.

Despite an enthralling opening term that had scores level at quarter-time, the Bulldogs dominated the next hour of play on their way to a 57-point victory, 17.8 (110) 7.11 (53).

A superior ability to spread, hit targets and convert on the scoreboard were keys to the hosts’ win, as the Tigers struggled to gain any fluency in the defeat.

Tiger cubs Jeremy Goddard and Ryan Murphy again showed that they have promising futures with roles in the ruck and defence respectively, while Bailey Banfield and Bailey Rogers battled manfully.

Ryan Neates continued his fine pre-season form, while Jye Bolton won plenty of the ball, however, Claremont only recorded 34 inside 50s.

South’s forward line, led by Mason Shaw (five goals), Ben Saunders and Cory Dell’Olio (four), and Brandon Donaldson (two) put the finishing touches on the hard work done further up the field to cap off a dominant showing.

Beau Maister gave Claremont an early lead when he snapped truly from a Jack Richardson kick inside 50, before a courageous mark and goal by Ryan Lim continued the Tigers’ effort and endeavour showed against Subiaco seven days earlier.

Goals to Jacob Dragovich and Shaw saw South respond, before the dashing Harrison McCracken made the hosts pay courtesy of a 50m penalty.

A late goal to Dell’Olio meant scores were tied at the first break, as Claremont coach Darren Harris instructed his defenders to push up the ground to apply pressure, while the team were encouraged to kick more than handball and move the ball quicker.

However, the second term belonged to the Bulldogs.

Six goals to one was the result of the hosts putting their foot down with a wave of attacks that the Tigers were unable to match, as the Bulldogs ran riot to open up a 33-point lead at half-time.

A great mark by McCracken was an early highlight of the third term for Claremont, however, a similar pattern unfolded, as South’s forward line, led by Shaw, was the beneficiary of the hosts’ hard work in the middle of the ground during another six-goal term.

Harris implored Claremont to spread harder at the final change to try and match the Bulldogs’ run, and when the hard-working Neates kicked truly after some repeat efforts in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, it gave the Tigers their first major since Gerrick Weedon goaled at the 18-minute mark of the second term.

A pair of goals to Dell’Olio followed, before South’s Tim Kelly had his number taken for rough conduct against Claremont’s Tom Ledger.

Goals to Maister, Alex Manuel and a great mark by Aaron Holt saw the Tigers finish the game on a stronger note and win the final term in an otherwise forgettable match for the visitors.

Claremont will look to rebound when they face East Fremantle in round one of the 2017 McDonald's WAFL Premiership Season at East Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

CLAREMONT 3.2 4.4 4.9 7.11 (53)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 3.2 9.7 15.8 17.8 (110)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 B. Maister, 1 R. Neates, R. Lim, A. Manuel, H. McCracken, G. Weedon.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: 5 M. Shaw, 4 C. Dell’Olio, B. Saunders, 2 B. Donaldson, 1 J. Dragovich, J. Florenca.

BEST

CLAREMONT: R. Neates, B. Banfield, M.Guelfi

SOUTH FREMANTLE: B. Saunders, B. Wilson, J. Dragovich, T. Kelly.