FEROCIOUS TIGERS MAUL BULLDOGS

BY DAN SCAMOZZI 

The mighty Claremont Tigers produced a ferocious and dominant performance to comprehensively maul South Fremantle by 47 points in the second semifinal at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The inspired Tigers, who won every term, kept the Bulldogs goalless in the first half and slammed on five goals to one in the final term to run out 10.11 (71) to 3.6 (24) winners, with the memorable win sealing a spot in Claremont’s first League grand final since 2012.

51 more disposals, 14 more tackles, 26 more inside 50s and 12 more scoring shots reflected Claremont’s intent, desire, mateship, application, work rate, appetite for the contest and potency, as the Tigers suffocated the Bulldogs with fierce pressure and steamrolled the hosts in the final term.

Powerful forward Alec Waterman (six inside 50s) continued his brilliant season and tore the Bulldogs to shreds with his work rate, leading, strength and finishing, and outscored the hosts with his game-high four goals and three behinds to win best player.

Powerful midfielder and vice-captain Dec Mountford (players’ player award) set the tone with his ferocious attack on the contest and recorded game-high tallies of 15 tackles and seven inside 50s as he applied relentless pressure on the opposition and then drove the Tigers forward, with fellow midfielder Jye Bolton (game-high 27 disposals) providing fine support and kicking a memorable long goal in the final term.

Cal England continued his fine season as he weaved his way through traffic and sent the Tigers forward, while inspirational captain Kane Mitchell (10 tackles) continues to lead the team with aplomb.

Meanwhile, hardworking and creative forward Alex Manuel (five tackles) made a fine return to the team and kicked three goals in the Tigers’ final-term blitz.

The Tigers kicked to the southern end of the ground in the opening term in windy conditions, as repeat stoppages on the far side of the ground engulfed the contest and would become a constant theme for the afternoon.

Wingman Ryan Lim laid a smother inside 50 and Waterman delivered a spearing finish from the forward pocket to kick the only goal of the opening term, as the Tigers took a seven-point lead at quarter-time on the back of 10 more contested disposals, five more clearances and seven more inside 50s.

A 50m penalty allowed Waterman to kick his and the Tigers’ second goal in the second term, before a clearance and kick inside 50 from wingman Ben Edwards allowed hardworking forward Ty Smallwood to extend the lead to 20 points at half-time.

A kick to full-forward from midfielder Jared Hardisty was marked and goaled by forward Tom Lee in the opening minute of the second half, before Haiden Schloithe kicked the Bulldogs’ first goal at the 10-minute mark of the third term.

Waterman then strongly marked a kick inside 50 from England and kicked his third goal, before Caleb Datson replied for the Bulldogs.

With the Tigers leading by 22 points at the final change and now +20 in inside 50s, coach Darren Harris delivered a passionate address to the playing group, before Travis Abbott pulled the Bulldogs to within 16 points in the final term.

However, the response from the Tigers was emphatic, as Manuel, Bolton and Waterman delivered thumping and accurate finishes from distance to end the contest, before Manuel added two more goals as the visitors capped off a terrific and memorable day for the Claremont Football Club.

The Tigers will face either South Fremantle or West Perth in the grand final at the same venue on October 4.

CLAREMONT 1.3 3.5 5.8 10.11 (71)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 0.2 0.3 2.4 3.6 (24)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 A. Waterman, 3 A. Manuel, 1 T. Lee, J. Bolton, T. Smallwood.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: 1 H. Schloithe, T. Abbott, C. Datson.

BEST

CLAREMONT: A. Waterman, D. Mountford, J. Bolton, C. England, K. Mitchell.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: Z. Strom, J. Maskos, B. Rioli, J. Miller.