BUSHER LEADS THE WAY

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

A brilliant performance from versatile defender Haydn Busher helped Claremont record a six-point win against a wasteful East Fremantle in their pre-season game at New Choice Homes Park.

Busher, who is in Claremont’s leadership group and can play in any position on the ground, won best player and the players’ player award after leading the way with his superb reading of the play, marking, attack on the contest and direction in the 9.5 (59) to 7.11 (53) triumph.

In a game consisting of 25-minute quarters, where goals were at a premium and accuracy was key, the Tigers were at their best when they utilised the first option and played with conviction.

This was best exemplified early in the final term when the Tigers produced a brilliant passage of team play which was capped off by Jye Bolton kicking an open goal after the team swept the ball from defence.

Along with Busher, midfielder Ryan Lim was prominent and won praise from his teammates for his inspirational performance, while tough defender Jack Lewsey also impressed.

Midfielder Tom Curren gave the Tigers great service and laid two crunching tackles in the third term which helped set the tone for victory, while Bailey Rogers spent time in midfield and defence and applied his trademark appetite for the contest.

New recruit Ryan Nyhuis starred in defence but suffered an ankle injury in the first half, while fellow defenders Lachie Martinis (ankle) and Lewis Daisley (elbow) also had their afternoons ended early.

In other news, powerful forward Tom Lee played in defence in the absence of Dylan Smallwood (illness), while forwards Alec Waterman and Anton Hamp kicked two goals apiece.

Youngsters Charlie Malone and Anthony Davis showed that they both have bright futures ahead of them after impressing in the forward line and back line respectively, while Bailey Bennett produced a brilliant third term when he shone with his work in the contest and ability to win hard-ball-gets.

East Fremantle were well served by former Tiger Morgan “Bondi” Davies, who shone with his reading of the play across half-back, while Lachlan Bailey, Cam Loersch and Michael Tassone kicked two goals apiece.

The Tigers kicked to the southern end of the ground in the opening term but lost Daisley in the opening 10 minutes, before captain Kane Mitchell split the middle from 50m.

Rogers then thumped through Claremont’s second goal after winning a holding-the-ball free kick, before Ryan Lester-Smith replied for the Sharks.

Malone then found Waterman who kicked truly to give the Tigers a 13-point lead at quarter-time.

Isaac Barton, who suffered a blood nose in the opening term when he copped a high fend-off from an opponent but inexplicably didn’t receive a free kick, kicked truly in the opening minute of the second term after a brilliant contest and tap-to-advantage from Oliver Eastland, before Bailey kicked two goals for the Sharks either side of a major from Callan England.

The result was a 12-point lead for the Tigers at half-time, who were now minus Nyhuis and Daisley.

Two quick goals to the Sharks levelled the scores in the early stages of the second half, before Hamp split the middle from 50m.

Martinis was the next Tiger to succumb to injury, before Hamp finished brilliantly from a tight angle to give the Tigers an 11-point lead at the final change.

Coach Darren Harris’ message to “move the ball” paid immediate dividends when a number of players were involved in the play of the game as Bolton kicked truly in the early stages of the final term, before Waterman caressed through Claremont’s ninth goal.

The result was a game-high 20-point lead to the Tigers, and despite the Sharks kicking the final two goals and finishing strongly, the visitors prevailed due to their ability to convert their chances.

Claremont host West Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium in their final pre-season game on Saturday.

CLAREMONT 3.2 5.3 7.4 9.5 (59)

EAST FREMANTLE 1.1 3.3 5.5 7.11 (53)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 A. Waterman, A. Hamp, 1 K. Mitchell, B. Rogers, J. Bolton, C. England, I. Barton.

EAST FREMANTLE: 2 L. Bailey, C. Loersch, M. Tassone, 1 R. Lester-Smith.

BEST

CLAREMONT: H. Busher, R. Lim, J. Lewsey, T. Curren, B. Rogers, R. Nyhuis.