TIGERS SET FOR FINALS

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

The mighty Claremont Tigers defeated rivals Swan Districts by 22 points in a scrappy encounter at Revo Fitness Stadium in the final round of the home-and-away season to set up another clash with South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in the qualifying final on Saturday afternoon.

In sensational conditions, the Tigers prevailed 11.11 (77) to 8.7 (55) in a contest which never reached any great heights, and will now turn their attention to a familiar foe as the race for the premiership heats up.

Outstanding defender Dec Hardisty won best player as he produced another trademark performance to deny Swans a reliable avenue to goal, forwards Jack Buller and Alex Manuel both kicking three goals.

Co-captain and wingman Dec Mountford continued his fine form with another sweeping performance, while old-school defender Anthony Davis won the players’ player award and worked in tandem with Dec Hardisty to repel Swans, who were best served by midfielder Jesse Turner (team-high 29 disposals) in his 100^th game.

Midfielders Kane Mitchell and Rylie Morgan and ruckman Oliver Eastland all came into the Claremont team as the Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term, however, Swans struck first after a strong mark and long goal to Jesse Palmer.

In-form Bailey Rogers (30 disposals, eight marks, five tackles, game-high six inside 50s and two goals) then won a holding-the-ball free kick at half-forward which led to key forward Timm House kicking Claremont’s first goal, Manuel landing a thumping and accurate finish from a 45-degree angle to give the Tigers the lead for the first time.

Livewire Greg Ottaviano replied with Swans’ second goal to trim Claremont’s lead to four points at quarter-time, with coach Ash Prescott instructing the Tigers to improve their tackling and work rate.

Manuel kicked his second goal in the opening minute of the second term before Callum Garcia made Claremont pay for a turnover at half-back, a powerful Buller replying with his first goal.

Palmer then kicked his second before Claremont co-captain Jared Hardisty (22 disposals, team-high seven tackles) produced a team-lifting chase and tackle inside 50 and kicked truly, Tom Edwards kicking Swans’ fifth goal to make it a five-point game in favour of the Tigers at half-time.

Another team-lifting tackle from Jared Hardisty won the tenacious Tiger a free kick early in the second half before Buller soon kicked his second goal, Chris Jones replying with the first of his three for Swans.

Buller then added his third and Rogers kicked accurately on the run, Isaac Barton kicking his first and Manuel snapping brilliantly from the pocket for his third to increase the lead to 29 points at the final change after a five-goals-to-one term from the Tigers.

Prescott praised Claremont’s improvement in contested possession and tackling, Rogers kicking his second goal to give the Tigers a game-high 35-point lead in the final term.

Consecutive goals to Jones trimmed the final margin as the teams remained in third and fifth position on the ladder, with the Tigers earning a double chance and Swans to face West Perth in the elimination final.

The win was also Claremont’s 40^th for the season across all three grades, with the Tigers retaining the Rodriguez Shield.

CLAREMONT 2.4 5.7 10.9 11.11 (77)

SWAN DISTRICTS 2.0 5.2 6.4 8.7 (55)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 J. Buller, A. Manuel, 2 B. Rogers, 1 J. Hardisty, T. House, I. Barton.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 3 C. Jones, 2 J. Palmer, 1 T. Edwards, G. Ottaviano, C. Garcia.

BEST

CLAREMONT: D. Hardisty, J. Buller, A. Manuel, D. Mountford, A. Davis.

SWAN DISTRICTS: J. Turner, J. Beck, C. Jones, B. Erceg, G. Ottaviano.