Round 6 League: Tigers Hold Off Peel

By Dan Scamozzi 

A six-goals-to-two first quarter paved the way for Claremont’s 19-point win against Peel Thunder in glorious conditions at Claremont Oval in round six, with the Tigers ending a two-game losing streak on a memorable day for the Club.

Despite Peel kicking three goals to one in the last quarter, the Tigers prevailed 12.8 (80) to 9.7 (61) and were well served by two debutants.

Midfielder Jake Anderson (11 disposals, one goal) and defender Jalen McGee (14 disposals, seven marks) were rewarded for their outstanding and consistent form in the Reserves and more than held their own, with the latter producing a brilliant and composed performance to repel Peel on a number of occasions.

Midfielder Declan Mountford (team-high 11 tackles, six inside 50s) continued his strong form to finish as Claremont’s best player after another hardworking performance, and was ably assisted by Tom “Lurk” Ledger (26 disposals, 10 clearances).

Hardworking forward Tyron Smallwood also impressed with his strong work rate, while midfielder Jye Bolton (six inside 50s) recorded a game-high 32 disposals and regularly drove the team forward.

Tenacious defender Jack Lewsey was another solid contributor, while Harrison McCracken and Kaiden Gilbert each kicked three goals in their first senior games of the season.

Mountford, Ledger and T. Smallwood all tied for the players’ player award.

McCracken, Gilbert, Chris “CJ” Oakley, Anderson and McGee all came into the team for Tom Lee (ankle), Ian Richardson (calf), Ryan Murphy (omitted), Callan England (omitted) and Jordan Law (ill), as captain Kane Mitchell elected to kick to the northern end of the ground in the opening term.

A booming centre clearance from Bolton and a desperate smother from Oakley were early signs of the Tigers’ appetite for the contest, before McCracken snapped truly from the pocket in just the second minute of the game.

Gilbert then kicked the Tigers’ second goal after marking a high kick from Jack Beeck, before Travis Colyer replied for Peel.

Another centre clearance from Bolton resulted in another snapped goal from McCracken, before Bolton repeated the feat from the ensuing centre bounce, before Ryan Lim split the middle from 50m.

Haydn Busher then kicked the Tigers’ fifth goal to extend the lead to 25 points, before Luke Valente replied for Peel.

Fittingly, McCracken would have the final say of the opening term as he kicked his third and the Tigers’ sixth goal after a dashing run and two bounces from Anderson, as the hosts took a 24-point lead at the first change.

Six more clearances and 11 more inside 50s indicated the Tigers’ dominance from a statistical perspective, with coach Darren Harris praising the players’ body language and connection, and also lauding them for playing their roles.

Consecutive goals from Peel gave the visitors a fast start to the second term and reduced the Tigers’ lead to 12 points, before a kick-to-space from McCracken allowed Gilbert to run into an open goal and kick his second.

Anthony Treacy then split the middle from the pocket after winning a holding-the-ball free kick, before Oliver Eastland also split the middle from the same pocket as the Tigers extended their lead to 30 points at half-time.

31 inside 50s to 14 was a reflection of the Tigers’ dominance in the midfield, and when Treacy kicked his second goal in the opening minute of the second half after another centre clearance, this time from Mitchell, and a great pass from Busher, it extended the lead to a game-high 36 points.

Peel replied with consecutive goals, before Anderson kicked his first major as the Tigers took a 30-point lead at the final change.

14 more uncontested marks for the third term was testament to the Tigers’ work rate and spread, as Harris praised the team’s pressure and selflessness, however, three consecutive goals saw Peel close to within 11 points in the final term as fatigue and turnovers began to creep in for the hosts.

Enter Gilbert.

A brilliant finish from the pocket gave the spearhead his third goal and iced the game for the Tigers, on a day when the Club celebrated its 30-year reunion of the 1989 Premiership, and hosted its annual Proudies Day and Family Fun Day.

The Tigers will aim for consecutive wins when they host Subiaco at Claremont Oval in round seven.

CLAREMONT 6.1 9.4 11.6 12.8 (80)

PEEL THUNDER 2.1 4.4 6.6 9.7 (61)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 H. McCracken, K. Gilbert, 2 A. Treacy, 1 R. Lim, H. Busher, O. Eastland, J. Anderson.

PEEL THUNDER: 2 B. Bell, R. Bennell, 1 L. Schultz, L. Valente, H. Dixon, J. Carter, T. Colyer.

BEST

CLAREMONT: D. Mountford, T. Ledger, T. Smallwood, J. Bolton, J. Lewsey, J. McGee.

PEEL THUNDER: G. Logue, M. Crowden, T. Watson, B. Bewley, J. Carter.