League: Tigers Roar into Top Five

A dominant first half helped Claremont record a 20-point win against East Fremantle in Geraldton in round 13, giving the Tigers consecutive wins for the first time this season and catapulting the team into fifth position on the ladder.

Nine goals to two set up a commanding 44-point lead at half-time, and despite the Sharks kicking eight goals to four in the second half, the Tigers prevailed 13.11 (89) to 10.9 (69) to record their fifth win of the season.

Lachlan Martinis (28 disposals, seven marks, one goal) continued his strong form to finish as Claremont’s best player and won the players’ player award, with Jack Beeck (22 disposals) also outstanding across half-back.

Captain Ian Richardson kicked four goals for the second time in seven days, while Jared Hardisty laid a team-high eight tackles and Keifer Yu kicked three goals.

Matt Palfrey was recalled as both teams were allowed an extra player on the interchange, however, the Tigers lost Haydn Busher (corked thigh) early in the opening term.

George Hampson recorded a game-high 33 disposals for the Sharks, while Jack Perham and Cameron Loersch kicked three goals apiece.

The Tigers will aim for three consecutive wins when they face South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in round 14.

CLAREMONT 4.4 9.6 12.8 13.11 (89)

EAST FREMANTLE 1.2 2.4 8.6 10.9 (69)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 I. Richardson, 3 K. Yu, 1 T. Lee, R. Lim, M. Davies, L. Martinis, M. Palfrey, A. Manuel.

EAST FREMANTLE: 3 J. Perham, C. Loersch, 1 N. Kommer, J. Snadden, C. Eardley, J. Griffin.

BEST

CLAREMONT: L. Martinis, J. Beeck, I. Richardson, J. Hardisty, K. Yu.

EAST FREMANTLE: N. Kommer, G. Hampson, J. Snadden, C. Eardley, D. Anthony.

By Daniel Scamozzi