ROGERS LEADS THE WAY

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

The mighty Claremont Tigers returned to winning ways after overcoming a wasteful Peel Thunder by nine points in muddy conditions at David Grays Arena in round 15.

The Tigers, whose past two wins have both come against Peel, prevailed 11.9 (75) to 9.12 (66) on the back of six consecutive goals either side of half-time to record their ninth win of the season.

The Tigers also prevailed on the back of another brilliant performance from the versatile Bailey Rogers (25 disposals, equal team-high six inside 50s, one goal), who is in career-best form and won the players’ player award for his influential and tireless efforts around the ground.

Hardworking forward Tyron Smallwood was another important contributor with his team-high three goals, while Lachlan Martinis (game-high 34 disposals) gave the Tigers terrific rebound from defence.

Speedy forward Isaac Barton kicked two important goals in the final term after improved delivery inside 50, while defender Dylan Smallwood repelled Peel and took a mark-of-the-year contender in the second term.

Former Tiger Joel Western and forward Lachlan Cullen both kicked three goals for Peel, who recorded seven more inside 50s and one more scoring shot but were left to rue their inaccuracy against the Tigers for the second time this season.

Anthony Treacy replaced fellow forward Jacob Van Rooyen in the only change to the Claremont team as the Tigers kicked to the southern end of the ground in the opening term, with Ryan Lim and Ben Edwards occupying the wings.

Midfielder Ben Elliott won the opening centre clearance and delivered the ball inside 50 where Rogers took a mark inside the opening 30 seconds, before fellow midfielder Jared Hardisty delivered a spearing pass to forward Alex Manuel.

However, the Tigers were unable to convert either opportunity, before Cullen kicked the opening goal of the game at the other end of the ground.

Rogers was then rewarded for producing a great chase and tackle on the wing, before the prominent Tiger split the middle after winning another free kick.

Tyron Smallwood then snapped truly from the pocket to give the Tigers consecutive goals, before Peel replied with three consecutive goals to take a 13-point lead at quarter-time.

Peel’s lead also resulted from too many uncontested marks and easy transition, with the Tigers needing to guard and apply more pressure on their opponents.

Edwards was rewarded for denying Peel with a strong tackle in defensive 50 in the early stages of the second term, before Western kicked his second goal to give the hosts a game-high 20-point lead.

Dylan Smallwood then took a high-flying mark which seemed to turn the contest on its head.

Goals to Manuel and Tyron Smallwood cut Peel’s lead to seven points before Rogers delivered a brilliant kick to the advantage of full-forward Jack Buller, who kicked truly to pull the Tigers to within two points at half-time.

Ruckman Oliver Eastland then took a desperate mark on the boundary line before wheeling around and snapping brilliantly from the pocket in the third term, before consecutive 50m penalties allowed Tyron Smallwood to kick his third goal.

Manuel then kicked his second to give the Tigers six consecutive goals and a 16-point lead, before Peel kicked an easy goal in transition just before three-quarter time to reduce the margin to nine points at the final change.

Claremont coach Ash Prescott praised the Tigers’ improvement in limiting Peel’s uncontested marks, before Western kicked his third goal in the early stages of the final term.

Barton then steamed into an open goal before Cullen kicked his third, before Buller converted a kick-to-advantage from fellow forward Cal England.

Best-on-ground Rogers then delivered another long kick to full-forward which allowed Barton to kick another open goal, before Peel’s Michael Randall kept the hosts in touch.

However, the Tigers, who had failed to kick 10 goals in both of their past two losses, wouldn’t be denied and held on to record a crucial win.

The Tigers will be aiming for consecutive wins when they host East Fremantle at Revo Fitness Stadium in round 16.

CLAREMONT 2.2 5.3 8.6 11.9 (75)

PEEL THUNDER 4.3 5.5 6.9 9.12 (66)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 T. Smallwood, 2 J. Buller, A. Manuel, I. Barton, 1 B. Rogers, O. Eastland.

PEEL THUNDER: 3 J. Western, L. Cullen, 1 M. Randall, S. Giro, S. Brock.

BEST

CLAREMONT: B. Rogers, T. Smallwood, L. Martinis, I. Barton, D. Smallwood.

PEEL THUNDER: H. Young, B. Hancock, T. Thorne, J. Western, M. Randall.