SHELDRICK LEADS THE WAY

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

A best-on-ground performance from midfield warrior Angus Sheldrick (game-high 24 disposals, equal game-high 12 tackles and one goal) inspired Claremont Colts to a 41-point win against East Perth in the qualifying final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Leading by just two points at half-time, the Tigers slammed on nine goals to two in the second half to prevail 13.9 (87) to 6.10 (46) and set up a showdown with Swan Districts in the second semifinal at Revo Fitness Stadium, with the winner to progress to the grand final.

After a tough and contested first half in which neither team was able to gain any ascendancy, the Tigers released the shackles after half-time and sliced through the Royals thanks to terrific ball movement from half-back and an array of forwards hitting the scoreboard. 

Energetic wingmen Arthur Jones and Edward Allan gave Claremont terrific service, with captain and key defender Sean Williams blanketing East Perth sharpshooter Jye Amiss and keeping the Royal scoreless.

George Graham was another important contributor and repelled East Perth across half-back, with fellow defender Campbell Rogers also resolute in defence.

Forwards Jacob Van Rooyen and Peter Coles each kicked three goals, Jahmal Stretch and Luke Brown chipping in with two apiece.

In perfect conditions, Williams elected to kick to the northern end of the ground in the opening term as Dylan Mulligan (team-high six inside 50s) occupied the ruck and fierce tackling from both teams was the most notable feature in the early stages of the contest.

The Tigers then began to win territory and pepper the goals, however, they could only manage a return of 0.5 before East Perth’s William Cassidy kicked the opening goal.

Inside midfielder Sheldrick then burst through a pack and kicked truly in a sign of things to come, East Perth’s James Tunstill replying with the Royals’ second goal after taking an uncontested mark inside 50.

Claremont’s Sam Gilbey then marked the ball at half-forward, played on and finished brilliantly from 50m on the stroke of quarter-time to give the Tigers a three-point lead at the first break.

With Claremont +6 in contested possession, coach Matt Angus praised the Tigers’ forward pressure but urged the team to take the game on and highlighted Gilbey’s goal as a key example.

East Perth forward Tom Graham kicked consecutive goals to give the Royals a 10-point lead in the second term, Stretch hauling in multiple marks within the space of 60 seconds and kicking Claremont’s third goal.

Max Mumme then began to wield his influence on the contest with his precise kicking inside 50, Coles kicking truly after the half-time siren to give the Tigers a two-point lead after being set up by the former.

A centre clearance and kick inside 50 from returning midfielder Talon Delacey set up Coles for his second goal in the opening minute of the second half, Van Rooyen marking strongly and kicking truly to give the Tigers four consecutive goals.

Graham replied with his third for the Royals, Brown soccering through an opportunistic goal before Van Rooyen soon kicked his second.

East Perth’s Oscar Armstrong kicked the Royals’ sixth goal to keep them in touch, Sheldrick hauling in a courageous mark in defence which led to Van Rooyen kicking his third on the stroke of three-quarter time to extend Claremont’s lead to 18 points at the final break.

Angus praised the Tigers’ ball movement from half-back before Coles marked strongly and split the middle for his third goal early in the final term, Williams laying a strong tackle on the wing which led to Brown kicking his second.

Mumme then delivered another inside 50 which was converted by Stretch, livewire Patrick Kitchener kicking Claremont’s final goal as the Royals were held goalless for the term.

CLAREMONT 2.5 4.5 9.5 13.9 (87)

EAST PERTH 2.2 4.3 6.5 6.10 (46)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 J. Van Rooyen, P. Coles, 2 J. Stretch, L. Brown, 1 P. Kitchener, S. Gilbey, A. Sheldrick.

EAST PERTH: 3 T. Graham, 1 O. Armstrong, J. Tunstill, W. Cassidy.

BEST

CLAREMONT: A. Sheldrick, A. Jones, S. Williams, G. Graham, C. Rogers.

EAST PERTH: R. Ginbey, T. Graham, J. Peak, Z. Tetlow, H. Della Franca.