EASTLAND STANDS TALL

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

A herculean and best-on-ground performance from in-form ruckman Oliver Eastland (21 disposals, 10 marks, six tackles, game-high 39 hit-outs) was the highlight of Claremont’s 43-point win against a mediocre East Fremantle at Revo Fitness Stadium in round 16.

In a scrappy contest which never reached any great heights, Eastland’s tap work, appetite for the contest and marking stood out as he dominated his duel with Luke Strnadica in the 14.12 (96) to 7.11 (53) victory.

Tough midfielder Ben Edwards (25 disposals, five tackles, five inside 50s) gave the Tigers terrific service as he won the hard ball and sent the team forward, while the versatile Bailey Rogers (team-high 33 disposals, two goals) continued his stunning form as he combined his time between the forward line and midfield.

Crafty forwards Cal England and Jake Patmore both kicked four goals, while emerging midfielder Ben Elliott (team-high seven tackles) won the players’ player award for his contested efforts and appetite for the contest.

Captain Dec Mountford (game-high eight inside 50s, one goal) relished his return to the midfield as he won clearances and sent the Tigers forward, while rebounding defender Lachlan Martinis (32 disposals, six inside 50s) celebrated his 50^thgame and led the team from the field to a rousing reception.

Forward Nick Kommer kicked a team-high three goals and was the only Shark who looked like kicking a goal, with the inaccurate visitors wasteful going forward and committing several turnovers.

Defender Jack Lewsey returned from a knee injury to replace midfielder Jared Hardisty (hamstring) in the only change to the Claremont team which defeated Peel Thunder in round 15, as the Tigers kicked to the southern end of the ground in the opening term.

However, Kommer kicked truly in the fifth minute to give the Sharks first blood before Patmore and Jye Bolton replied for the Tigers, with the latter’s goal a thumping finish which split the middle from 50m.

East Fremantle’s Blaine Boekhorst then limped from the field with assistance from trainers but would later return, before forward Alex Manuel kicked the Tigers’ third goal to give the hosts an 11-point lead at quarter-time.

Coach Ash Prescott urged the Tigers to hunt the opposition and improve their peripheral vision, before Luke English kicked East Fremantle’s second goal early in the second term.

Defender Anthony Davis then denied the Sharks with a goal-saving touch on the last line of defence before goals to Patmore and England gave the Tigers a 14-point lead.

However, Kommer then kicked his second goal to trim Claremont’s lead to seven points at half-time.

Goals to Tyron Smallwood and Rogers gave the Tigers a strong start to the second half before Anthony Treacy produced a team-lifting chase and tackle in midfield which earned him a free kick, before further goals to England (second) and Patmore (third) extended the lead to 33 points.

Jonathon Marsh replied for the Sharks before Mountford finished brilliantly from the pocket on the run, before Rogers kicked the Tigers’ sixth goal of the term.

However, a third goal to Kommer made it a 33-point game at the final change.

With Prescott urging the Tigers to be decisive and take the game on, a fourth goal to Patmore gave them a great start to the final term, before Tom Bennett punished the hosts for a turnover across half-back.

A dashing run from Martinis and an unselfish pass from Isaac Barton set up England for his third goal before Eastland was rewarded for a crunching tackle in midfield, before England kicked his fourth goal.

A late goal from East Fremantle’s Corey Warner made no difference to the result as the Tigers recorded consecutive wins.

The Tigers will be aiming for their 11^th win of the season when they face East Perth at Leederville Oval in round 17.

CLAREMONT 3.2 5.3 11.8 14.12 (96)

EAST FREMANTLE 1.3 3.8 5.11 7.11 (53)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 C. England, J. Patmore, 2 B. Rogers, 1 D. Mountford, J. Bolton, A. Manuel, T. Smallwood.

EAST FREMANTLE: 3 N. Kommer, 1 J. Marsh, C. Warner, T. Bennett, L. English.

BEST

CLAREMONT: O. Eastland, B. Edwards, B. Rogers, C. England, B. Elliott.

EAST FREMANTLE: K. Baskerville, J. Meade, L. English, M. Tassone, N. Kommer.