TIGERS PIPPED BY ROYALS

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

A poor performance from the mighty Claremont Tigers resulted in a frustrating seven-point defeat against East Perth in trying conditions at Leederville Oval in round 17.

Despite starting well and finishing strongly, the Tigers were indirect and unable to capitalise on their chances and 15 more inside 50s as the cleaner and accurate Royals prevailed 12.6 (78) to 10.11 (71).

Champion midfielder Jye Bolton (game-high 41 disposals, game-high seven clearances, game-high eight inside 50s) produced another best-on-ground performance as he won the ball at will and repeatedly sent the Tigers forward, while the in-form Bailey Rogers (29 disposals, six clearances, two goals) again combined his time between the forward line and midfield with aplomb.

Jake Patmore kicked a team-high three goals and was Claremont’s most dangerous forward, while midfielders Ben Edwards (27 disposals, seven inside 50s, one goal) and Max Spyvee gave the Tigers terrific service.

East Perth captain Jackson Ramsay (team-high 31 disposals, game-high eight tackles, two goals) starred for the Royals, with Nick Merritt (three goals) their most dangerous forward.

Key forward and debutant Timm House replaced defender Dylan Smallwood (hamstring) in the only change to the Claremont team which defeated East Fremantle in round 16, as the Tigers kicked to the southern end of the ground in the opening term – against the breeze.

Former Tiger and key forward Eddie Simpson gave East Perth first blood when he marked and converted inside the opening minute, before Rogers split the middle from the pocket after spearing passes from Bolton and House respectively.

A squaring pass from Cal England then set up Patmore for his first goal before a ferocious tackle from Spyvee won the young Tiger a free kick at half-back.

Harley Sparks then kicked the Royals’ second goal before Claremont midfielder Ben Elliott laid a team-lifting smother on the wing, before speedy forward Isaac Barton kept the ball moving forward and England converted the Tigers’ third goal.

Hardworking forward Tyron Smallwood then laid a team-lifting smother of his own as the Tigers took a five-point lead at quarter-time, with coach Ash Prescott urging the team to surge the ball forward.

Matt Young reclaimed the lead for East Perth in the second term before a terrific tackle from Smallwood won the Tiger a free kick at half-forward, before Shayne Hille gave the Royals consecutive goals for the first time.

Despite the breeze at their backs, the Tigers had been indirect with their ball movement before Bolton delivered a spearing kick through the corridor to full-forward, where Patmore marked and goaled to give Claremont a two-point lead at half-time.

Consecutive goals in the opening 10 minutes of the second half gave the Royals an eight-point lead before Edwards finished brilliantly on the run from 45m, before Merritt replied with consecutive goals.

Barton then won and converted a holding-the-ball free kick inside 50 before Rohan Kerr kicked East Perth’s ninth goal to give the Royals a 15-point lead at the final change.

After disappointing middle terms and with their backs to the wall, Prescott urged the Tigers to be bold and take the game on, with captain Dec Mountford sent to Ramsay for the final term.

A 50m penalty allowed the latter to kick the first goal of the final term to give the Royals a game-high 21-point lead before a pinpoint pass from House found Patmore for his third goal.

Merritt replied with his third goal before ruckman Oliver Eastland sent a thumping kick inside 50 which was marked and converted by forward Alex Manuel.

Another 50m penalty allowed Ramsay to kick his second goal before England set up Rogers for his second to keep the Tigers alive.

Manuel then kicked his second goal to make it a nine-point game, however, despite the Tigers pushing for a late victory, they could only manage two more behinds as East Perth hung on for their fifth win of the season.

The Tigers will aim to return to winning ways when they host traditional rivals Subiaco at Revo Fitness Stadium in round 18.

CLAREMONT 3.1 4.4 6.8 10.11 (71)

EAST PERTH 2.2 4.2 9.5 12.6 (78)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 J. Patmore, 2 B. Rogers, A. Manuel, 1 B. Edwards, C. England, I. Barton.

EAST PERTH: 3 N. Merritt, 2 J. Ramsay, E. Simpson, 1 S. Hille, M. Young, C. Ameduri, R. Kerr, H. Sparks.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. Bolton, B. Rogers, J. Patmore, M. Spyvee, B. Edwards.

EAST PERTH: C. Ameduri, J. Ramsay, K. Willcocks, N. Merritt, N. Blee.