League: Wasteful Tigers Pipped by Falcons

Inaccuracy and a dubious goal-umpiring decision saw Claremont suffer a frustrating one-point loss to West Perth at Claremont Oval in round 11.

In a contest featuring high numbers around the ball and repeat stoppages resulting in more than 150 tackles being laid, forward Kaiden Gilbert looked to have won the game for the Tigers with a booming kick from a tight angle in the closing stages of the final term.

However, despite the goal umpire appearing ready to signal a goal, the field and boundary umpires intervened and a behind was awarded, with West Perth ruckman Chris Keunen adjudged to have touched the ball “before” it had crossed the goal line.

It was a bitter pill for Claremont to swallow in captain Ian Richardson’s 200^th game, however, it never should have come to that, with the Tigers butchering several easy shots at goal in the 9.8 (62) to 8.13 (61) defeat.

Despite winning the second, third and final terms, recording 64 more disposals, three more inside-50s and four more scoring shots, the Tigers were made to pay for not taking their chances.

Defender Anton Hamp, who blanketed West Perth forward Tyler Keitel (one goal) and has transformed himself into arguably the best defender in the competition, was Claremont’s best player and won the players’ player award, while ruckman Oliver Eastland (15 disposals, eight marks, 43 hit-outs) is getting better with every game he plays.

Lachlan Martinis (21 disposals) gave the Tigers great rebound from defence alongside Bailey Rogers, who was given the job of stopping West Perth’s Jay van Berlo (one goal) and did so with aplomb, while vice-captain Kane Mitchell (six tackles) recorded a team-high 33 disposals.

And then there was Gilbert, who hauled in seven marks, kicked four goals and gave Eastland great support in the ruck (12 hit-outs), all in just his second game.

West Perth’s Andrew Strijk (10 marks) gave the Tigers a lesson in straight kicking with five goals, including 4.0 in the first half, while midfielder Luke Meadows’ strength in the contest proved invaluable for the visitors.

Forward Tom Lee replaced his retired teammate Beau Maister, who acted as the team’s runner, in the only change to the team which defeated Swan Districts in round 10, as the Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term in perfect conditions.

Two goals to Strijk in the opening five minutes served as a warning of things to come, before a left-foot snap from Gilbert gave the Tiger his first major in League ranks.

With midfielder Tom Curren already busy, a high-flying mark from Rogers at the other end briefly halted West Perth before van Berlo kicked the visitors’ third.

A great tackle inside-50 then saw Gilbert reply with his second and pulled the Tigers to within six points at quarter-time, despite the hosts trailing in tackles and inside-50s.

Coach Darren Harris lauded the defenders but implored the team to gain its composure, and despite wasting simple chances in front of goal in the second term, man-of-the-moment Richardson grabbed the lead for the Tigers at the 18-minute mark.

Strijk then replied with two more goals either side of a third to Gilbert as West Perth maintained their narrow lead at half-time.

A fifth to Strijk early in the third term turned a headache for the Tigers’ coaching staff into a migraine, before Gilbert replied with his fourth in what was becoming a shootout between the master and the apprentice.

Goals to Steven Potente and Keitel gave West Perth a 14-point lead and some breathing space, before Alex Manuel and Keifer Yu pulled the Tigers to within two points at the final change.

With Harris praising the efforts of Eastland, imploring the team to run, win territory and be clean with its skills, a great tackle from second-gamer Dylan Smallwood prevented former Tiger Keegan Knott from extending West Perth’s lead in the final term.

West Perth captain Aaron Black then gave the visitors an eight-point lead at the 12-minute mark, before Haydn Busher pulled the Tigers to within two points at the 26-minute mark.

Gilbert then thought, along with just about everyone at the venue, that he’d landed the knockout blow, however, it wasn’t to be, as the Tigers suffered their seventh loss of the season.

The Tigers face East Perth at Leederville Oval in round 12.

CLAREMONT 2.2 4.5 7.10 8.13 (61)

WEST PERTH 3.2 5.3 8.6 9.8 (62)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 K. Gilbert, 1 K. Yu, I. Richardson, H. Busher, A. Manuel.

WEST PERTH: 5 A. Strijk, 1 A. Black, J. van Berlo, S. Potente, T. Keitel.

BEST

CLAREMONT: A. Hamp, O. Eastland, L. Martinis, B. Rogers, K. Mitchell, K. Gilbert.

WEST PERTH: L. Meadows, A. Strijk, S. Potente, Z. Guadagnin, M. Peirce.

By Dan Scamozzi.