League: Inaccuracy Costs Tigers

An inaccurate Claremont suffered a frustrating 11-point defeat to Peel Thunder at Claremont Oval in round nine, with the Tigers their own worst enemy in front of the big sticks.

Despite recording 13 more inside 50s and four more scoring shots, the Tigers didn’t take their opportunities in the 10.5 (65) to 7.12 (54) defeat, leaving them two wins outside the top five.

Midfielder Tom Curren (21 disposals, one goal) played his best game for the club and laid a team-high 10 tackles and won the players’ player award, with his repeat efforts in time-on of the final term resulting in a third goal to forward Tom Lee.

Defender Anton Hamp, who continues to flourish and be a model of consistency, led the way in defence, while Haydn Busher recorded an equal team-high 29 disposals and took a team-high eight marks as he gave the Tigers valuable run-and-carry.

Kane Mitchell continued his solid form and kicked two goals, while Jared Hardisty was another strong performer and laid nine tackles.

Meanwhile, Lee kicked a team-high three goals and had the better of his duel with Fremantle’s Griffin Logue.

Third-gamer Declan McNamara was concussed in the second term and took no further part in the game, while Oliver Eastland suffered a corked quad.

Fremantle’s Brandon Matera kicked a team-high three goals for Peel, while Ben Howlett laid a game-high 17 tackles and Danyle Pearce recorded a game-high 30 disposals as the accurate visitors recorded their third win of the season.

The Tigers made one change to the team who defeated South Fremantle, with Matt Palfrey returning from a calf injury and replacing the omitted Isaac Wallace.

The Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term in perfect conditions, however, the first three goals, including two to Matera, gave Peel a 15-point lead.

Great pressure from Palfrey allowed Mitchell to kick the Tigers’ opening goal, before a major to Peel’s Keegan Power gave the visitors a 15-point lead at quarter-time.

Despite the Tigers being leading clearances and inside 50s, 1.4 was a disappointing return, with coach Darren Harris imploring the team to take their chances.

Goals to Blair Bell and Matera gave Peel a strong start to the second term and 27-point lead, before Curren kicked a timely major.

Crunching tackles from Lee and Eastland reaffirmed the Tigers’ appetite for the contest, before McNamara was crunched in a pack at full-forward.

Another return of 1.4 saw the Tigers trailing by 18 points at half-time, but still very much in the contest.

A goal to Peel captain Gerald Ugle came after the Tigers squandered another shot at goal and gave the visitors a 23-point lead early in the third term, before the hosts found their radar.

The reliable Eastland and Lee both kicked truly, with the latter benefiting from an exquisite pass from captain Ian Richardson, before Lee added his second after great efforts from Keifer Yu and a pass from Curren.

This saw the Tigers trailing by just four points at three-quarter time, with Harris lauding the team’s pressure and pressing.

A second goal to Peel debutant Alex Cohen gave the visitors the first goal of every term and a nine-point lead early in the final term, before a fine snap from Mitchell saw the Tigers respond.

Goals to Brad McGowan and Bell gave Peel a 16-point lead, before a third to Lee pulled the Tigers to within 10 points in time-on.

However, there would be no late comeback, as the Tigers were left to rue missed chances and suffered their sixth loss of the season.

The Tigers will aim to rebound when they host Swan Districts at the same venue in round 10.

CLAREMONT 1.4 2.8 5.11 7.12 (54)

PEEL THUNDER 4.1 6.2 7.3 10.5 (65)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 T. Lee, 2 K. Mitchell, 1 T. Curren, O. Eastland.

PEEL THUNDER: 3 B. Matera, 2 B. Bell, A. Cohen, 1 G. Ugle, B. McGowan, K. Power.

BEST

CLAREMONT: T. Curren, A. Hamp, H. Busher, K. Mitchell, J. Hardisty.

PEEL THUNDER: B. Matera, B. Howlett, D. Pearce, J. Boullineau, M. Johnson.

By Dan Scamozzi.