Round 6 Match Report: League

Patchy Tigers Fall to Peel

Stronger for longer.

It’s a mantra Claremont need to become as they search for a way to compete for longer periods and turn promising performances into wins.

The Tigers suffered their third consecutive loss when they were beaten by 20 points by Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium, 14.14 (98) to 11.12 (78), leaving them two wins outside the top five.

After trailing by 18 points at quarter-time after kicking against the breeze, the Tigers kicked four goals to one in the second term to take a two-point lead at half-time after some of their best football of the season, before Peel kicked eight goals to five in the second half.

Despite the Tigers laying nine more tackles and recording four more inside 50s (54-50), turnovers again hurt the visitors as Peel had the better of the key moments.

Jye Bolton led the way for the Tigers with his work rate, team-high 33 disposals and game-high 10 inside 50s, while Haydn Busher (23 disposals, six marks, six inside 50s) dominated from half-back.

Jared Hardisty (seven tackles) battled manfully, while James Egan starred on debut with three goals and gave the Tigers some much-needed zip in the forward line.

Beau Maister (six marks) spearheaded the forward line and kicked a game-high four goals on the back of improved delivery and gave the Tigers a great contest in the ruck, while vice-captain Kane Mitchell laid a team-high 10 tackles.

Defender Declan Hardisty won the players’ player award for his outstanding efforts in just his second game, however, Matt Palfrey injured his right calf in the first half.

Big man Luke Strnadica kicked a team-high three goals for Peel as the hosts recorded their second win of the season and first since round one.

Tom Ledger and Jeremy Goddard came into the Claremont team who were defeated by South Fremantle for Keifer Yu and Oliver Eastland (both concussion), while Egan was a late replacement for Ryan Murphy (groin).

The Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term against the breeze on a glorious day for football, however, Haydn Matthews gave Peel an early lead.

Jordan Law hit back for the Tigers courtesy of a free-kick before three goals in six minutes, including two to the dangerous Leroy Jetta, saw Peel respond and take a 17-point lead.

Maister replied for the Tigers before a crunching tackle from Busher on Jetta gave an early indication of the defender’s appetite for the contest.

Ben Howlett then struck late in the term to give Peel an 18-point lead at quarter-time.

The Tigers led the tackle count 34-20, with Hardisty already laying five, as coach Darren Harris encouraged the team to take the game on.

That’s exactly what happened in the second term as Jack Beeck bounced through a goal from 60m after a quick chain of handballs on the far side of the ground, with Tom Lee working hard to take marks at both ends.

A great run and long pass from Bolton then allowed Maister to kick his second goal before Egan bent through his first major to give the Tigers the lead and was mobbed by teammates.

Palfrey limped from the field before Maister kicked his third after sustained pressure on the outer wing and an ability to keep the ball moving forward resulted in an eight-point lead on the back of four consecutive goals.

Peel captain Gerald Ugle then made the Tigers pay for a turnover on the wing and trimmed the lead to two points at half-time.

Three goals in the opening eight minutes of the second half, including a second to Ugle, gave Peel a 16-point lead before Tigers captain Ian Richardson landed a bomb to keep the visitors in touch.

Goals to Traye Bennell and Strnadica (second) gave Peel a 25-point lead after a pair of Tigers turnovers, before Maister kicked his fourth after a strong mark and pass from Lee.

Busher then laid another desperate tackle before Egan snapped his second goal and pulled the Tigers to within 13 points at the final change.

Harris encouraged the team to stay calm, not panic and keep their composure, however, Peel dominated the first part of the final term and extended their lead through goals to Michael Tassone (second) and Ben Hancock.

A running goal from Ledger gave the Tigers hope, before a third to Strnadica snuffed out any chance of a comeback.

A spearing pass from joint vice-captain Ryan Lim saw Egan kick his third goal to cap off an outstanding debut.

The Tigers’ next game is at home to Perth in round seven on May 19.

CLAREMONT 2.2 6.7 9.9 11.12 (78)

PEEL THUNDER 5.2 6.5 11.10 14.14 (98)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 B. Maister, 3 J. Egan, 1 I. Richardson, J. Beeck, T. Ledger, J. Law.

PEEL THUNDER: 3 L. Strnadica, 2 G. Ugle, L. Jetta, M. Tassone, 1 B. Howlett, T. Bennell, H. Matthews, B. Hancock, M. Apeness.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. Bolton, H. Busher, D. Hardisty, J. Egan.

PEEL THUNDER: B. Howlett, M. Tassone, B. Hancock, D. Pearce, S. Kersten.

By Dan Scamozzi