TIGERS SEEKING IMPROVEMENT

BY DAN SCAMOZZI 

Claremont will address and work on improving their decision-making and skills before they face traditional rivals Subiaco in the opening round of the home-and-away season.

Despite fielding one of the smallest forward lines in recent memory against West Perth in their pre-season game at Revo Fitness Stadium, the Tigers repeatedly kicked the ball high and committed turnovers as the Falcons prevailed by 19 points, 10.11 (71) to 8.4 (52).

With no Tom Lee or Anton Hamp, Alec Waterman played at full-forward but was often outnumbered and let down by poor delivery, while the Falcons hurt the Tigers on the spread and proved too tall in attack.

Star midfielder Jye Bolton will need to prove his fitness for round one after suffering a foot injury early in the second half.

In positive news, the powerful Bailey Rogers continues to thrive in midfield and won best player and the players’ player award, while defender Haydn Busher again gave the team great service and had an enthralling duel with West Perth’s Tyler Keitel.

The hard-running Cal England (two goals) and captain Kane Mitchell (one goal) were other strong performers along with small defenders Jack Lewsey and Tom Baldwin, with the latter blanketing the dangerous Keegan Knott.

Key-position players Tom Medhat (two goals) and Zak Patterson (one goal) starred for the Falcons with their strong marking.

In fine but chilly conditions, the Tigers kicked to the Claremont end of the ground, with club legend Ian Richardson serving as the team’s runner, before Knott kicked the opening goal after 30 seconds but was rarely seen thereafter.

A brilliant switch from Bolton allowed an unmarked Mitchell to kick truly and pull the Tigers level, before Keitel made the hosts pay for a turnover in defence.

Patterson then kicked truly before England was rewarded for his hard running and repeat efforts, before midfielder Connor West gave the Falcons a 14-point lead at quarter-time.

Claremont coach Darren Harris encouraged the Tigers to be composed, kick the ball to advantage and back their skills, however, an early goal to Medhat increased the Falcons’ lead to 20 points in the second term.

Midfielder Dec Mountford immediately replied for the Tigers with a thumping finish, before forward Mike Lourey replied for the Falcons. 

A kick to full-forward from defender Dec Hardisty carried the pack and allowed an unmarked Rogers to run into an open goal, before repeat efforts from Mitchell allowed England to kick his second major and trim the deficit to 10 points at half-time.

Bolton was then assisted from the field in the third minute of the second half before Medhat kicked his second goal, before goals to Bailey Bennett and Ty Smallwood pulled the Tigers to within three points of the Falcons.

Veteran midfielder Aaron Black then extended the Falcons’ lead to nine points at the final change.

Harris implored the Tigers to go at the game and move the ball quicker, however, a second goal to Lourey increased the Falcons’ lead to 15 points.

Waterman then took a high-flying mark in front of the interchange, before Trent Manzone kicked the Falcons’ 10^th goal and increased their lead to 24 points.

Isaac Barton kicked a late goal for the Tigers, who lacked polish but not intent in a frustrating performance.

The Tigers face Subiaco at Leederville Oval in the opening round of the home-and-away season on Saturday.

CLAREMONT 2.0 5.0 7.2 8.4 (52)

WEST PERTH 4.2 6.4 8.5 10.11 (71)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 C. England, 1 K. Mitchell, B. Rogers, D. Mountford, B. Bennett, I. Barton, T. Smallwood.

WEST PERTH: 2 M. Lourey, T. Medhat, 1 A. Black, C. West, K. Knott, T. Manzone, Z. Patterson, T. Keitel.

BEST

CLAREMONT: B. Rogers, H. Busher, C. England, J. Lewsey, K. Mitchell.