TIGERS DIG DEEP

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

The mighty Claremont Tigers returned to the top of the ladder after recording a thrilling seven-point win against Peel Thunder at a heaving Revo Fitness Stadium in round 10.

Trailing by 12 points in time-on in the final term, the resilient and accurate Tigers dug deep to kick the final three goals of the game and prevail 14.6 (90) to 12.11 (83).

Despite playing well below their best for the second week running against a gallant but wasteful opposition, the Tigers responded in their hour of need, with young gun Jack Buller (game-high four goals) kicking two clutch goals late in the game.

The Tigers’ eighth win of the season will serve them well and instil further belief into a team that is showing tremendous character and a will to play for one another.

It also extends their unbeaten run at Tigerland, where they have had terrific support from the Tiger Army who rallied behind the team when they needed them the most.

The Tigers are also brilliantly coached, with Ash Prescott’s inspirational address at the final change sparking a late charge and motivating the team to give everything to the cause.

With the Tigers trailing by 10 points at three-quarter time after Peel won the opening three terms, Prescott referenced Claremont’s pre-season camp in Albany and highlighted the importance of leaving nothing in the tank.

It was a simple but effective message which saw the Tigers never give in and helped deliver a stirring win which will galvanise the team and hold it in good stead moving forward.

Speaking of never giving in, ruckman Oliver Eastland (equal game-high nine tackles, 27 hit-outs, one goal) is in career-best form and gave the Tigers terrific service around the ground against Fremantle giant Lloyd Meek.

Eastland also kicked an opportunistic goal from a throw-in in the final term before laying a crunching and inspirational tackle at half-back, an endearing deed which led to the No.21 winning the players’ player award.

Midfielder Jye Bolton (game-high 35 disposals, game-high nine inside 50s, one goal) is also in ominous form and won the ball at will in another outstanding performance, while Buller stood tall when the team needed him the most and continued his brilliant debut season at League level.

Bailey Rogers and Lachlan Martinis (game-high eight marks) continue to find the ball and were also important contributors, while forward Alex Manuel kicked three crucial goals to take his season tally to 22.

Co-captain Jared Hardisty also laid an equal game-high nine tackles, while forward Max Minear replaced Steve Miller in the only change to the team which defeated West Coast in round nine.

With Hardisty electing to kick to the northern end of the ground in the opening term, the Tigers began the game with Kane Mitchell and Ryan Lim occupying the wings, however, Peel kicked the opening two goals through former Tiger Bailey Banfield and Blair Bell.

With the Tigers jumped for the second week in a row and needing to respond, Manuel split the middle after receiving a spearing kick inside 50 from Mitchell, before Buller kicked truly to cut the deficit to just two points at quarter-time.

Prescott praised the Tigers for laying six inside-50 tackles but implored the team to play disciplined football and the midfield to work harder, before goals from Isaac Barton and Buller (second) gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the second term.

Ben Edwards then extended it to 16 points before Peel replied with three consecutive goals to take a three-point lead at half-time.

The Tigers began the second half with Cameron Anderson shifting from half-back to the forward line, Jake Patmore from the forward line to the midfield and Ben Edwards from half-forward to the wing, before Peel kicked consecutive goals to extend their lead to 15 points.

As he did in the opening term, Manuel replied for the Tigers with his second goal before Bolton converted a 50m penalty with a thumping finish which split the middle from 50m.

However, Peel then kicked three consecutive goals after some sloppy play from the Tigers in defence, before goals from Cal England and Anton Hamp trimmed the deficit to 10 points at the final change and kept the Tigers in touch.

Prescott then delivered his inspirational address to the playing group before Manuel kicked his third goal early in the final term after landing a 50m bomb.

Jackson Merrett replied for Peel before Eastland kicked truly and laid his crunching tackle, Martinis then producing a great chase and tackle which earned him a free kick and denied the visitors.

Peel debutant Roy George then kicked his second goal in time-on which looked as if it may see the visitors home, however, the Tigers, aided by their parochial supporters, had other ideas.

A spearing kick inside 50 from Hardisty set up Buller for his third goal before Patmore snapped truly to give the Tigers a one-point lead.

Rogers then produced repeat efforts along the wing and sent the ball inside 50 where Buller hauled in a brilliant contested mark before kicking his fourth goal to sink Peel and send the Tiger Army into a frenzy.

The memorable finish capped off another terrific day at Tigerland, with Claremont recording home wins in all three grades for the fourth time this season.

The Tigers have a bye in round 11 before facing West Perth at Provident Financial Oval in round 12.

CLAREMONT 2.1 5.3 9.5 14.6 (90)

PEEL THUNDER 2.3 5.6 10.9 12.11 (83)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 J. Buller, 3 A. Manuel, 1 B. Edwards, J. Bolton, C. England, J. Patmore, O. Eastland, A. Hamp, I. Barton.

PEEL THUNDER: 2 B. Bell, L. Cullen, R. George, 1 J. Merrett, B. Lawler, M. Randall, B. Banfield, B. Lake, S. Giro.

BEST

CLAREMONT: O. Eastland, J. Bolton, J. Buller, B. Rogers, L. Martinis.

PEEL THUNDER: W. Schofield, T. Watson, M. Randall, J. Merrett, L. Meek.