TIGERS ANNOUNCE LEADERSHIP TEAM

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

Claremont has announced its leadership team for the 2021 Optus WAFL Premiership Season, with ferocious midfielders Declan Mountford and Jared Hardisty to co-captain the Tigers.

The respected and trusted duo, who set the tone with their appetite for the contest, will lead the Tigers as the team embarks on a new and exciting journey. 

Jye Bolton has been named vice-captain, with fellow midfielder Kane Mitchell, defender Jack Lewsey and swingman Anton Hamp rounding out the six-man leadership team.

Mountford, who shared the vice-captaincy with Hamp in 2020, and Hardisty both finished in the top five in last year’s fairest-and-best count.

For Hardisty, the announcement was both surprising and exciting.

“It’s unreal, to be honest. I’m a bit surprised but super proud and really excited to be in the position,” Hardisty told 91.3 SportFM’s Sports Breakfast.

“I’m so lucky to have Declan with me in the position, because I think I would be a little bit startled by myself. It’s going to be unreal to have him to bounce ideas off.

“It’s the same with the rest of the leadership group; we’re all in it together and it’s really just a title at the end of the day, but nothing’s going to change from my perspective in the way that I play my footy and approach the game.

“It’s a title, but in saying that, I’m super proud and I know mum and dad are proud as well.”

When it comes to seeking advice, Mountford and Hardisty will need to look no further than former captain Mitchell.

“He’s still our spiritual leader and spiritual captain,” Hardisty said.

“What he’s done and the knowledge that he has – me and Dec have already caught up for a coffee with him and have been picking his brain on a couple of things - he’s going to be enormous for me and Dec to bounce ideas off and ask a lot of questions.

“I’m lucky to call him one of my best mates and it’s a really good relationship that we’ve got.”

The Tigers face Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval in the opening round of the season.