By Dan Scamozzi

A determined and superior Claremont proved far too good for East Perth at a wet Claremont Oval in round 11, with the Tigers overwhelming the Royals by 52 points.

The 12.11 (83) to 4.7 (31) win was set up during a six-goals-to-none first half and was the Tigers’ third in succession, giving them a healthy percentage boost and closing the gap on second-placed South Fremantle to just four points.

On a sour note, the Tigers lost brilliant midfielder Jye Bolton to concussion early in the first half.

86 more disposals, 25 more marks, 15 more hit-outs, 15 more inside 50s and 12 more scoring shots reflected the Tigers’ dominance, but the hosts’ superior structure and greater avenues to goal were the biggest differences in a game where territory was vital and goals were crucial.

There was also another big difference between the teams, and that was Claremont midfielder Declan Mountford (26 disposals, team-high eight tackles), who produced an unmatched ability to pick the ball up off the ground cleaner than any other player, sidestep opponents and weave his way through traffic as he dominated the contest to win best player and the players’ player award.

Imposing ruckman Jeremy Goddard (game-high 45 hit-outs), who continues to grow with every game and is thriving under the tutelage of ruck coach and WAFL legend Percy Johnson, dominated the ruck and gave Claremont’s midfield first use, while reliable defender Lachie Martinis (27 disposals, five tackles) continued his consistent and impressive form.

Fellow defenders Bailey Rogers (26 disposals) and Declan Hardisty (18 disposals, equal team-high seven marks) provided fine support, while fan favourite Jack Beeck, who has a knack for making the difficult look easy, kicked another brilliant goal to add to his ever-growing highlights reel.

Full-forward and fourth-quarter specialist Tom Lee kicked three consecutive goals in the final term for the second time in six days, with Jack Bradshaw, Tom Ledger and Matt Palfrey all chipping in with two apiece.

Alec Waterman, Palfrey and Dylan Smallwood all came into the team for Oliver Eastland (calf) and the omitted Chris “CJ” Oakley and Jalen McGee, as the Tigers kicked to the southern end of the ground in the opening term.

A great spoil from D. Smallwood allowed Ledger to snap the opening goal of the game before Beeck finished with aplomb from the same pocket on the outside of his boot.

A strong mark at full-back from Hardisty denied the Royals as the Tigers took a 16-point lead at quarter-time despite being -8 in contested disposals and -3 in clearances, with coach Darren Harris imploring the team to move the ball quick, and praising the efforts of Haydn Busher.

Another snapped goal from Ledger extended the lead to 22 points early in the second term before co-captain Ian Richardson (equal team-high seven marks) set up Bradshaw for his first goal.

A goal-saving mark from brilliant full-back Anton Hamp soon followed before Richardson and Palfrey kicked truly, with the latter resulting from a spearing pass from Beeck.

This gave the Tigers a commanding 39-point lead at half-time before Palfrey extended it to 45 points early in the second half after kicking his second goal.

A ferocious tackle from Jack Lewsey earned the tough Tiger a free kick before some sloppy play from the hosts across half-back gifted the Royals their first goal.

The Tigers turned for home with a 42-point lead and +14 in contested disposals, with the Royals in danger of recording their lowest score in a match between the teams.

A second goal to Bradshaw gave him his second and the Tigers the first major in every quarter before Lee produced a three-goal burst in similar circumstances to the one against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval in round 10.

The Royals replied with three consecutive goals of their own, before co-captain Kane Mitchell kicked his first goal of the season to cap off a dominant win for the Tigers.

The Tigers will aim for their fourth consecutive win when they face East Fremantle at New Choice Homes Park in round 12.

CLAREMONT 2.5 6.7 7.11 12.11 (83)

EAST PERTH 0.1 0.4 1.5 4.7 (31)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 T. Lee, 2 J. Bradshaw, T. Ledger, M. Palfrey, 1 K. Mitchell, I. Richardson, J. Beeck.

EAST PERTH: 3 J. Houghton, 1 S. Wright.

BEST

CLAREMONT: D. Mountford, J. Goddard, L. Martinis, B. Rogers, J. Beeck, D. Hardisty.

EAST PERTH: A. Samelko, A. Scott, J. Ameduri, A. Ajang, K. Anderson.