TIGERS CONTINUE TO POUNCE

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

Claremont’s Reserves’ 24-point come-from-behind win against West Perth at Provident Financial Oval in round 12 is testament to the belief and mateship that is instilled within this playing group.

Trailing by 10 points at the final break, the Tigers, who had fumbled the ball and lacked composure in the first three quarters, had a stern challenge in front of them but embraced it and prevailed in style, 11.12 (78) to 7.12 (54).

Coach Darren Harper is the person who instilled the belief into the team at three-quarter time by believing they were more than capable of running all over the Falcons.

The response from the players was palpable, with the Tigers kicking five unanswered goals in the final term while holding the Falcons scoreless to record their eighth consecutive win and remain on top of the ladder.

The character-building win also featured 10 goalkickers and resulted from a never-give-in attitude.

When it comes to leading by example, tough midfielder Ben Elliott (game-high 29 disposals, team-high six tackles, one goal) leads the way and continued his outstanding form to win best player and the players’ player award.

Wingman Alex Pearce (23 disposals, game-high eight marks, game-high seven inside 50s, one goal) also gave the Tigers terrific service with his ability to break lines and send the ball forward, while acting captain and midfielder Max Spyvee (24 disposals, one goal) is working his way back towards top form.

Hardworking forward Zac Mainwaring (five inside 50s, team-high two goals) kept the Tigers in the game with his work rate, while defenders Luke Knight and Cameron Anderson were resolute and repelled the Falcons.

Brock Anning made his debut across half-forward, while fellow forward Logan Guelfi (15 disposals, one goal) made a promising return from injury in his first game since round six.

The Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term and lined up with Pearce and Sam Alvarez occupying the wings, but it was the Falcons, aided by the breeze, who kicked the opening two goals.

The Tigers replied through forward Max Minear and Spyvee, before West Perth’s Jack Burke kicked the first of his two goals to give the Falcons a six-point lead at quarter-time.

Harper implored the Tigers to be more composed, before the Falcons dominated the opening 10 minutes of the second term and kicked two more goals to open up a 21-point lead.

Mainwaring then landed a 50m bomb before West Perth’s Jacob Turner had his number taken for striking Claremont forward Isaiah Butters off the ball, before Elliott created a turnover inside 50 and kicked the Tigers’ fourth goal.

Steve Miller then kicked truly in the final minute of the opening half to give the Tigers three consecutive goals and pull them to within one point of the Falcons at half-time.

However, as they did in the previous two quarters, the Falcons kicked the opening two goals in the third term before Mainwaring soccered an opportunistic second goal off the ground, before the Falcons kicked four consecutive behinds and would later rue their inaccuracy.

Harper then delivered his inspirational address and implored the Tigers to stop fumbling and increase their tackling output, before Mainwaring produced a dashing run and delivered a squaring pass to ruckman Kieran Gowdie for Claremont’s seventh goal in the early stages of the final term.

The prominent Pearce then gave the Tigers the lead for the first time, before goals to Butters, Alvarez and Guelfi capped off a terrific fightback and led to a stirring rendition of the team song.

The Tigers will be aiming for their ninth consecutive win when they host Swan Districts at Revo Fitness Stadium in round 13.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts recorded their fourth consecutive win after defeating an inaccurate West Perth by 20 points, 9.5 (59) to 5.9 (39).

CLAREMONT 2.2 5.5 6.8 11.12 (78)

WEST PERTH 3.2 5.6 7.12 7.12 (54)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 Z. Mainwaring, 1 M. Spyvee, S. Miller, I. Butters, B. Elliott, A. Pearce, M. Minear, L. Guelfi, S. Alvarez, K. Gowdie.

WEST PERTH: 2 J. Moore, J. Burke, 1 T. Medhat, C. Rundle, M. Mallard.

BEST

CLAREMONT: B. Elliott, A. Pearce, M. Spyvee, Z. Mainwaring, L. Knight, C. Anderson.

WEST PERTH: S. Rotham, L. Paton, T. Medhat, K. Todd, J. Burke.