Round 20 Preview: Perth v Claremont

By Dan Scamozzi 

Claremont enter the final month of the home-and-away season knowing they must win their remaining four matches, starting with Perth at Lathlain Park on Saturday, if they are to have any chance of making the finals.

After suffering a four-point loss to East Perth in round 19, the Tigers still find themselves two wins outside the top five, but need to end a four-game losing streak to have any chance of featuring in September.

Meanwhile, Perth, who had a bye in round 19, will be aiming to end a nine-game losing streak and remain off the bottom of the ladder.

The Demons and Tigers will be playing for the annual Pyke Cup, named in honour of Frank, who played in Perth’s 1966 premiership, and Don, who played in premierships with Claremont in 1987 and 1996.

The club encourages the Tiger army to attend the game and cheer the team to victory.

WHERE AND WHEN:

Lathlain Park, Saturday, August 5, 2.15pm.

Reserves: 11.30am.

Colts: 9.00am.

TV AND RADIO:

Can't make it to the game? Tune into HFM (107.3FM) for LIVE coverage.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Played: 257.

Perth: 117.

Claremont: 139.

Draws: 1.

LAST TIME THEY MET:

Round 9, 2017, Claremont 11.13 (79) def by Perth 13.9 (87) at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

TALKING POINTS:

1. A victory for the Tigers could see the team close to within one win of the top five, depending on the result between West Perth and East Perth.
2. Perth are on a nine-game losing streak, however, their last win, back in round nine, did come against Claremont and they have won five of the last eight games against the Tigers.
3. The Tigers have averaged just 60 points per game during their four-game losing streak. They averaged 125 during their opening three wins and 98 during their three-game winning streak between rounds 12-14. The team need to get back to moving the ball quickly to give them the best chance of kicking a winning score.