League: Rogers Leads Tigers Past Royals

By Dan Scamozzi

A best-on-ground performance from robust defender Bailey Rogers was one of the highlights of Claremont’s outstanding 32-point win against East Perth at Leederville Oval in round 12.

In sublime conditions and Haydn Busher’s 100^th game, Rogers recorded a career-high and equal game-high 35 disposals, a career and game-high 16 marks and deservedly won the players’ player award as the dominant Tigers recorded their fourth win of the season.

The 14.11 (95) to 9.9 (63) triumph resulted from an even team performance, a determined mindset, terrific intensity, relentless pressure and excellent ball retention and electrifying ball movement as the Tigers moved to within percentage of the fifth-placed Royals.

123 more disposals, 16 more tackles, seven more inside-50s, seven more scoring shots and nine goal kickers reflected the Tigers’ superiority, however, desire was arguably the biggest difference between the teams.

Along with Rogers, midfielder Jye Bolton recorded 35 disposals but also had a game-high nine inside-50s as he dominated the clearances with his appetite for the contest and repeat efforts, while forward Tom Lee (eight marks, three goals) monstered East Perth’s defence with his work rate and contested marking.

Defender Declan Hardisty (five marks, six tackles) provided fine support for Rogers, while captain Ian Richardson, who appeared set for a big game before it had commenced, kicked a game-high four goals.

And ruckman Eddie Simpson (seven marks, 29 hit-outs, one goal), who replaced Oliver Eastland (knee) in the team, excelled against West Coast’s Nathan Vardy with his will to compete and efforts around the ground.

Meanwhile, midfielder Brayden Ainsworth (22 disposals, three goals) fought a lone hand for the Royals as they suffered their fifth consecutive loss.

Morgan Davies and Isaac Wallace were rewarded for their excellent form in the Reserves as they replaced Tom Ledger and Shaquille Morton in the team which lost to West Perth in round 11, as the Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term.

Ainsworth gave the Royals first blood when he kicked the opening goal of the game, before Lee hauled in the first of his contested marks and kicked truly along with Richardson as the Tigers hit back and took an eight-point lead.

Will Maginness then kicked the Royals’ second, before Ryan Lim set sail from distance to give the Tigers a nine-point lead at quarter-time.

With the Tigers on top in most areas of the contest, coach Darren Harris lauded the team before goals to Jared Hardisty and Lee, the latter coming from another contested mark, gave them an excellent start to the second term and extended the lead to 21 points.

Lee then went from goal scorer to provider as he set Richardson up for his second before a rampaging Keifer Yu launched from distance to slam home the Tigers’ seventh major.

The Tigers’ brilliant foot skills and ball retention were denying East Perth the chance to set up their zone defence, however, late goals to Jack Petruccelle and Ainsworth pulled the hosts to within 21 points at half-time.

Further goals to Luke Partington and Matt Allen gave the Royals four in a row and cut the lead to just nine points early in the third term, before another contested mark from Lee saw the powerful Tiger kick his third goal.

Simpson was next to benefit from Lee’s superb marking and kicking as the big man kicked the Tigers’ ninth goal, before Jared Hardisty set Richardson up for his third goal.

Bolton was then reported for rough conduct after a strong tackle, before Richardson soon added his fourth and Tom Curren made the Royals pay from a 50m penalty.

Five consecutive goals in 16 scintillating minutes of play saw the Tigers take a commanding 37-point lead at the final change, with Harris imploring the team to stay the course.

Fittingly, man-of-the-moment Busher would kick the opening goal of the final term to extend the advantage, before hard running and a fine finish from the feisty Jordan Law made it seven consecutive majors and gave the Tigers a 49-point lead.

Three late goals from the Royals provided little more than consolation for the hosts, as the Tigers recorded their biggest win of the season and chaired Busher from the ground.

The Tigers will aim for consecutive wins when they face East Fremantle in Geraldton in round 13.

CLAREMONT 3.4 7.6 12.7 14.11 (95)

EAST PERTH 2.1 4.3 6.6 9.9 (63)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 I. Richardson, 3 T. Lee, 1 K. Yu, R. Lim, T. Curren, J. Hardisty, H. Busher, J. Law, E. Simpson.

EAST PERTH: 3 B. Ainsworth, 1 P. McGinnity, W. Maginness, L. Partington, M. Allen, J. Petruccelle, C. England.

BEST

CLAREMONT: B. Rogers, J. Bolton, T. Lee, D. Hardisty.

EAST PERTH: B. Ainsworth, L. Partington, S. Wright, W. Maginness.