BOLTON LEADS THE WAY

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

The mighty Claremont Tigers recorded their third consecutive win after defeating West Coast by 27 points in a scrappy game at Revo Fitness Stadium in WA Day Round.

Accuracy and an even spread of nine goal kickers paved the way for the 14.9 (93) to 9.12 (66) win, the Tigers’ seventh victory of the season maintaining their unbeaten home record. 

Ball magnet Jye Bolton continued his outstanding form with a career-high 50 disposals, equal game-high 12 marks, team-high six inside 50s and one goal as he won best player for his dominant performance, with the versatile Bailey Rogers (37 disposals, equal game-high 12 marks) providing fine support as he won plenty of the ball around the ground.

Key defender Anton Hamp marshalled Claremont’s defence, while ruckman Oliver Eastland (20 disposals, game-high 28 hit-outs) won his duel with Nathan Vardy.

The dashing Cameron Anderson (16 disposals) was rewarded for his consistent and outstanding form in the Reserves and produced a solid debut across half-back and was one of five Tigers who kicked two goals, while inspirational midfielder Kane Mitchell (30 disposals, nine marks) won the players’ player award for his team-first performance.

Former Falcon Connor West starred for West Coast with a dominant performance in midfield, while Kieran Hug and former Tiger Cooper Nitschke each kicked three goals, however, despite recording 16 more inside 50s, the visitors were left to rue their inaccuracy.

Debutant Anderson replaced defender Jack Lewsey (knee) in the Claremont team that defeated East Perth at the same venue in round eight, as the Tigers kicked to the southern end of the ground in the opening term.

However, it was all West Coast in the opening 15 minutes, as the visitors kicked the opening two goals and should’ve led by more than 15 points after recording the first five scoring shots, with the sluggish Tigers needing to snap out of their lethargy.

A sloppy West Coast kick across full-back was swooped on by Ben Edwards who kicked Claremont’s first goal, before Bolton began to wield his influence in the engine room.

A second goal from Hug increased West Coast’s lead to 17 points before Cal England snapped truly from the pocket, before ferocious midfielder Jared Hardisty laid a desperate and team-lifting smother in midfield.

Forward Alex Manuel then kicked consecutive goals, including a thumping finish from 50m, before the in-form Jack Buller kicked Claremont’s fifth goal to give the accurate Tigers (5.0) a five-point lead over an inaccurate West Coast (3.7) at quarter-time.

Coach Ash Prescott implored the Tigers to increase their intensity and work rate, before the skilful Nitschke kicked consecutive goals to reclaim the lead for West Coast early in the second term.

West then increased the lead to 13 points as West Coast again started the term stronger than the Tigers, before Anderson kicked his first goal and was mobbed by his jubilant teammates.

Nitschke replied with his third goal before majors to Jake Patmore, Bolton, Buller (second) and Anderson (second) gave the Tigers another strong finish to the term and an 11-point lead at half-time.

The opening 15 minutes of the second half were both frustrating and comedic, with both teams guilty of missing simple shots at goal, before Hug kicked his third major to keep West Coast in touch.

However, as they had done in the opening two terms, the Tigers responded strongly through second goals to England and Patmore to extend their lead to 19 points at the final change.

The final term followed a similar pattern as Hamish Brayshaw kicked truly to keep West Coast in touch, before consecutive 50m penalties allowed Hardisty to reply for the Tigers and forward Isaac Barton iced the game with Claremont’s 14^th and final goal.

The Tigers will aim for their fourth consecutive win when they host Peel Thunder at Revo Fitness Stadium in round 10.

CLAREMONT 5.0 10.2 12.6 14.9 (93)

WEST COAST 3.7 7.9 8.11 9.12 (66)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 J. Buller, C. England, J. Patmore, A. Manuel, C. Anderson, 1 B. Edwards, J. Bolton, J. Hardisty, I. Barton.

WEST COAST: 3 K. Hug, C. Nitschke, 1 C. West, H. Brayshaw, C. Paunich.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. Bolton, B. Rogers, A. Hamp, O. Eastland, C. Anderson.

WEST COAST: C. West, N. Vardy, C. Nitschke, J. Deegan, K. Hug.