ROUND 5: TIGERS MAUL FALCONS

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

The mighty Claremont Tigers recorded their fourth consecutive win after mauling a woeful West Perth by 52 points in a feisty game in glorious conditions at Revo Fitness Stadium in round five.

The 16.11 (107) to 8.7 (55) victory moved the Tigers to the top of the ladder and leaves them as the only undefeated team after four games.

The Tigers overcame a disappointing and timid performance in the opening term as they slammed on 14 goals to four after quarter-time to overturn a 12-point deficit.

The impressive and mature win included 10 goal kickers and was the fourth consecutive game in which the Tigers have scored more than 100 points.

Key defender Dylan Smallwood showed no ill-effects from the concussion he sustained in round three as he won best player for blanketing frustrated West Perth spearhead Tyler Keitel, while fellow defender Lachlan Martinis (game-high 42 disposals, nine marks) played the best game of his career as he won plenty of the ball across half-back and repeatedly repelled the Falcons.

Tireless midfielder Kane Mitchell (27 disposals) set the tone with his relentless work rate and repeat efforts and won the players’ player award, with fellow midfielders Jake Patmore (one goal) and Ryan Lim providing terrific support.

Fourth-gamer Jack Buller (six marks) kicked a game-high five goals and continues to impress with every game he plays, while fellow forward Max Minear (one goal) made a fine debut and ruckman Oliver Eastland (25 disposals, equal game-high 10 marks, game-high 30 hit-outs) dominated and marked strongly around the ground after returning from a glute injury.

West Perth was best served by prolific midfielder Connor West (35 disposals, six tackles) but were undisciplined with their attack on the man and poor going forward.

Eastland and Minear came into the team which defeated Perth in round three for Jacob van Rooyen (quad) and Kalin Lane (omitted) as the Tigers kicked to the Claremont end of the ground in the opening term.

The Falcons kicked the opening two goals before defender Dec Hardisty converted a 50m penalty, before former Tiger Keegan Knott restored the visitors’ 11-point lead.

Patmore then kicked the Tigers’ second goal before Noah Pegoraro gave the Falcons a 12-point lead at quarter-time.

With coach Ash Prescott demanding the Tigers “roll their sleeves up and hunt the ball”, the passionate address paid immediate dividends as goals from midfielder Ben Edwards and forward Anthony Treacy gave the hosts the lead for the first time.

Treacy soon added his second before Buller benefited from three efforts from Mitchell on the wing, before West Perth’s Tyson Moulton kicked the first of his two goals.

Forward Alex Manuel then set up Minear for his first League goal, with the No.43 mobbed by his jubilant teammates in one of the highlights of the game.

Patmore then left several opponents in a spin as he typically glided through traffic along the boundary line and helped create a goal for Cal England, giving the Tigers a 21-point lead at half-time after a stunning six-goals-to-one second term.

Buller then kicked his second goal after winning a holding-the-ball free kick inside 50 in the second half, before fellow forward Isaac Barton made the Falcons pay from a 50m penalty.

Nathan Alexandre kicked West Perth’s sixth goal before Manuel converted a spearing pass from Lim, before goals from Buller and Harrison McCracken extended the Tigers’ lead to 44 points at the final break after another dominant term.

Prescott urged the Tigers to maintain their “unconditional” work rate and commitment, before Barton swooped on a loose ball and kicked his second goal in the opening minutes of the final term.

A well-weighted pass from midfielder Jye Bolton set up Buller for his fourth goal before Rudy Riddoch kicked his first major for the Falcons.

A searching kick inside 50 from the prolific Edwards then allowed Buller to kick his fifth goal before Knott kicked his second for the Falcons.

Debutant Minear then led the Tigers from the field to a rousing reception from the Tiger Army.

The Tigers will aim for their fifth consecutive win when they face traditional rivals Subiaco at Leederville Oval in round six.

CLAREMONT 2.2 8.6 13.7 16.11 (107)

WEST PERTH 4.2 5.3 6.5 8.7 (55)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 5 J. Buller, 2 A. Treacy, I. Barton, 1 B. Edwards, C. England, J. Patmore, A. Manuel, D. Hardisty, H. McCracken, M. Minear.

WEST PERTH: 2 T. Moulton, K. Knott, 1 N. Alexandre, R. Riddoch, N. Pegoraro, T. Boyes.

BEST

CLAREMONT: D. Smallwood, L. Martinis, K. Mitchell, J. Patmore, R. Lim.

WEST PERTH: C. West, T. Moulton, N. Pegoraro, A. Black.