Goddard Stars In Tigers’ Defeat

Claremont suffered a nine-point defeat to Perth in the second of their pre-season matches at Claremont Oval on Saturday, but the form of a Tiger cub was the big positive to come out of the match.

Despite the Tigers recording six more scoring shots and leading at every change, inaccuracy and a lack of goal kickers hurt the hosts, as the efficient Demons slammed on five goals to one in the final term to prevail 10.2 (62) to 7.11 (53).

However, the imposing Jeremy Goddard, who made his league debut against Perth in round 20, 2017, impressed with his tap-work and provided a presence around the ground to show he is capable of filling the void left by the retired Mitch Andrews.

The Tigers went into the game minus captain Ian Richardson, Jye Bolton, Anton Hamp and Beau Maister, and lost Keifer Yu to a shin injury in the first half.

Vice-captain Kane Mitchell lined up for his first game of the pre-season, with Haydn Busher, Ben Higgs and Nick Winmar also among the inclusions.

With joint vice-captain Ryan Lim leading the team, the Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term with the breeze at their backs, as a crunching tackle by Yu earned the tenacious Tiger a holding-the-ball free-kick, before Perth kicked the opening goal.

Matt Palfrey replied after a great pass from Bailey Rogers on his non-preferred foot and gave the Tigers a two-point lead, before Busher won a free-kick for a great tackle in defence.

Alex Manuel, who has a habit of kicking goals from tight angles, then kicked Claremont’s second major with an impressive effort from the left-forward pocket and gave the Tigers an eight-point lead at quarter-time.

Despite the advantage, coach Darren Harris implored the Tigers to spread harder, before a second goal to Palfrey gave the team a great start to the second term and three consecutive majors.

Perth replied with consecutive goals to level the scores, before Palfrey was reported for rough conduct.

A great build-up from defence and pass from the hardworking Corey Mitchell enabled Jordan Law to kick Claremont’s fourth goal, before former Tiger Corey Yeo replied for Perth, courtesy of a 50m penalty.

This meant the Tigers took a one-point lead into half-time, however, Yu would take no further part in the game.

A scrappy start to the second half was halted when Jacob Sideris kicked truly to give the Tigers a nine-point lead, before Morgan Davies, who starred against Peel Thunder at the same venue seven days earlier, provided an inspirational chase and tackle to deny Perth a shot on goal.

New recruit Tom Curren then split the middle from deep in the left-forward pocket to extend Claremont’s lead to 17 points, before Perth replied and trimmed the Tigers’ lead to 13 points at the final change.

A booming goal to Yeo (second) was the first of consecutive goals to Perth as the visitors started the final term in quick fashion and closed to within one point, before Oliver Eastland snapped a timely major for the Tigers.

With Mitchell and Tom Ledger prominent, a great tackle from C. Mitchell earned the hardworking Tiger a free-kick, before a rampant Perth kicked the final three goals.

The Tigers face Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday in their third and final pre-season match.

CLAREMONT 2.2 4.3 6.9 7.11 (53)

PERTH 1.0 4.2 5.2 10.2 (62)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 M. Palfrey, 1 T. Curren, O. Eastland, A. Manuel, J. Law, J. Sideris.

By Dan Scamozzi